Asian Research Institute for International Social Work

About Us
Mission
Asian Research Institute for International Social Work (ARIISW) is the first place for you to contact when you want to work with Japanese colleagues or institutions or to study in and/or about Japan. The main mission of ARIISW is to learn from, work with, and provide research opportunities and results to you, colleagues from other countries, to contribute to the advancement of research and education in the field of social work across Asia and the world.The Institute also has a special mission to serve as a hub for research and education in Buddhist social work in Asia.
The Institute is non-sectarian and non-profit. It was established on April 1, 2016, in commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of the birth of Shukutoku University and the passing of its founder, Ryoshin Hasegawa, a pioneer of Buddhist social work in Japan.
Staff
Honorary Director | Guest Professor Akimoto Tatsuru |
Director | Professor Totsuka Noriko |
Asian Center for Buddhist Social Work
Research Exchange Director |
Professor Fujimori Yusuke |
Research Staff | Senior Researcher / Associate Professor Matsuo Kana
Head Researcher / Assistant Professor Higashida Masateru |
Program Researchers | Gohori Josef Fujita Noritaka Watanabe Yoshiaki |
Visiting Researchers | GelenkhuuTumennast Sungkawan Decha Matsusono Yuko |
Research Fellows | Ando Noriaki
Kikuchi Yui Sato Narumichi |
Advisors | Head Advisor Hasegawa Masatoshi
Advisor Tamiya Masashi Advisor Ishikawa Togaku |
Steering Committee | Yamaguchi Koji
Totsuka Noriko Yonemura Mina Chiba Hirohiko Nishizuka Hiroshi Fujimori Yusuke Matsuo Kana Higashida Masateru Ejima Kazuya |
Affiliated Center
ARIISW Houses the Asian Center for Buddhist Social Work Research ExchangeThe mission of Asian Center for Buddhist SW Research Exchange (ACBsw) is the academic exchange and research activities on Buddhist social work. ACBsw aims to be a hub center for the Asian region.
The base of all ACBsw's activities are connections with scholars, researchers, and practitioners from Asia and the world, carrying out joint researchers, international surveys, international exchange, etc. Starting from 2015, the ACBsw was in charge of the Shukutoku University's strategic project, running researchers and surveys on the role and possibility of Buddhism in Asian social work under the auspices of Japanese Government (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

Activities
International Joint Research and Studies
Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, organizes and implements international joint research and studies with universities and researchers in other countries. It is also actively involved in international
activities by responding to similar requests from other countries.

International Conferences and Seminars
ARIISW organizes international conferences, forums, symposia, seminars, workshops, and other forms of meetings and events.
Academic Forum is our main annual event.
Academic Forum is our main annual event.

Individual and Organizational Exchanges
Short visits by researchers from schools of social work as well as individual researchers from other countries or long visits (e.g. sabbatical research) are welcomed. More officially organized long term arrangements for contractual exchange programs between schools for research, staff members, and students are also welcomed.Human Resource Promotion
Visiting Researcher Fellowship ROMPAKU Program leading to Ph.D.
ARIISW is now offering an opportunity to complete Ph.D. dissertation through the Visiting Researcher Fellowship Program. The aim of the program is to help meet the growing need for both a greater quantity and better quality of educators in Asian schools for social work.Study Groups
The Institute organizes or supports voluntary study groups on various research subjects for faculty members and young researchers of Shukutoku University and in communities.Data Collection
ARIISW is collecting and sorting data and other materials concerning international social work.Contribution to International Organizations
ARIISW and its staff contribute to the administration and operation, activities and advancement of international organizations such as the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), Asian and Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE), and International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).Cooperation with Schools in other Countries
ARIISW strives to respond to non-financial needs from individual universities in other countries within its capacity-supporting the start of social work programs, the design of curricula, the operation of classes and ad hoc seminars, as well as the exchange of research and faculty members and students.Publications
Results and reports of the research and conferences above as well as books and booklets on other subjects are published.Books
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From Western-rooted Professional Social Work to Buddhist Social Work(Research Series No.0)
E-book Written by: Tatsuru Akimoto (Japan), H.M.D.R. Herath (SriLanka), T. Ishikawa (Japan), N.H. Loan (Vietnam), S.Onopas (Thailand), K.Sangbo (Nepal) Editor: Josef Gohori, Ph.D. |
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Growth of the Buddhist Social Work Activities in Mongolia(Research Series No.1) Edited by: Josef Gohori and Hiroaki Ogawa Research Coordinated by: Demberel Sukhbaatar, Oyut-Erdene Namdadagva, and Altaibaatar Jargal |
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Vietnam Buddhism: From Charity to Buddhist Social Work(Research Series No.2) Written by: Nguyen Hoi Loan, PhD, Assoc. Prof., Nguyen Thi Thai Lan, PhD, SW, Bui Thanh Minh, MSW, Nguyen Huu Quan, MSW, Nguyen Thu Trang, MSW, Luong Bich Thuy, MSW Edited by: Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoi Loan |
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The Current Situation of Buddhist Social Work in Lao PDR(Research Series No.3) Written by Outhoumphone Sanesathid, Bounxom Syharath, Khamsing Siripanya, Somchai Boulidam, and Saychai Syladeth Edited by Satoshi Shibuya Outhoumphone Sanesathid |
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Buddhist Social Work: Roots and Development of the Social Welfare System in Thailand(Research Series No.4) Written by Sopa Onopas, Phra Maha Surakai Congboonwasana, and Noriaki Ando Edited by Yuko Matsusono |
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Buddhist Social Work in Sri Lanka:Past and Present(Research Series No.5) Written by H.M.D.R. Herath, Anuradha Wickramasinghe, Bamunugama Shanthawimala, Omalpe Somananda, Pepiliywala Narada, and Masateru Higashida Edited by Tatsuru Akimoto |
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Towards New Horizon:Beyond the Buddhist Social Work(Research Series No.6) Written by Mikako Inagaki, Koko Kikuchi, Josef Gohori Edited by Josef Gohori |
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Buddhist Social Work in East Asia: Chinese Buddhism and Taiwanese Buddhism (Research Series No.7) Edited by Fujimori Yusuke Authors: Jin Jie, Shimpo Hiromitsu, Guo Juan, Han Xiaoyan, Shioiri Hodo, Ishikawa Togaku, Dharma Master Yilai, Yoshimizu Gakugen, Ezure Emiko |
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Buddhism and Social Work in Cambodia and Myanmar (Research Series No. 8) Edited by Josef Gohori, Kana Matsuo Authors: Chun Bora, Keo Vichith, Hieu Van Ngo, Suon San, Bobby, U Kyaw Sit Naing, Daw Ei Ei Phu, Sao Ohn Hseng, Koji Yamaguchi |
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Growth of the Buddhist Social Work Activities in Mongolia(Series “Exploring Buddhist Social Work” No.1) Edited by: Demberel, Altaibaatar, Erdene, Ogawa, Gohori |
![]() | Buddhism and Social Work in Nepal and Bhutan (Research Series No. 9) Edited by Josef Gohori Authors: Acharya Lama Karma Sangbo, Tshering Dorji, Yangdon, Dechen Doma |
Reports
Religion and Social Work: How Does Islamic "Social Work" Operate in Asia?
日本社会事業大学との共同研究報告書 Akimoto Tatsuru,sv. Fujioka,hd. Matsuo Kana,ed.March 2017.(文部科学省平成28年度助成)
How is Asian Buddhism Involved in People's Life?
Shukutoku University 2nd International Academic Forum on Buddhist Social Work Program, March 2017(文部科学省平成28年度助成)
How is Asian Buddhism involved in People’s Life?
Shukutoku University 2nd International Academic Forum on Buddhist Social Work Proceedings, Akimoto Tatsuru,sv. Gohori Josef,and Aakamoto Etsuko,eds. September 2017(文部科学省平成29年度助成)
Working Definition and Current Curricula of Buddhist Social Work ~Hanoi International Expert Meeting 5 and 6 December, 2017~
Akimoto Tatsuru,and Hattori Maki,eds. September 2018(文部科学省平成30年度助成)
Development of The Asian Buddhist Social Work Activities
December 2018(文部科学省平成30年度助成)
What Should Curriculums for International Social Work Education Be?
The 3rd Shukutoku University International Forum , Matsuo Kana,Tatsuru Akimoto,and Hattori Maki eds. January 2019
Buddhist Social Work in Lao PDR -research report-
Shibuya Satoshi,ed. July 2019(文部科学省平成31年度助成)
The Journey of Buddhist Social Work~Exploring the Potential of Buddhism in Asian Social Work~
Gohori Josef,ed. March 2020.(文部科学省平成31年度助成)
Round-table Discussion on the Future of the IASSW ~What the IASSW Expects from Japanese Members and What Japanese Members Expect from the IASSW~
Kana Matsuo,Tatsuru Akimoto,ed. March 2020.(文部科学省平成31年度助成)
The Next Action Based on the Working Definition of Buddhist Social Work and Beyond -Theory,Research,Education and Practice-
Tatsuru Akimoto,ed. March 2020.(文部科学省平成31年度助成)
What Buddhist Social Work Can Do While Western-rooted Professional Social Work Cannot
Tatsuru Akimoto,and Yuki Someya,ed. October 2020.
THE VISITING RESEARCHER FELLOWSHIP(ROMPAKU)PROGRAM LEADING TO A Ph.D.
MARCH 2021.
Report on the 5th International Academic Forum by Asian Research Institute for International Social Work at Shukutoku University
"Social Work Academics Resisting the Globalization of Western-rooted Social Work"
Josef Gohori and Yuki Someya, ed. August 2021
International Conference Open Mind Mongolia 2021
"Supporting Social Well-being during and after Covid-19":
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BUDDHIST SOCIAL WORK SESSION March 2022
Report on the 6th International Academic Forum by Asian Research Institute for International Social Work at Shukutoku University
"SOCIAL WORK" NEENS AND"SOCIAL WORK" PORVIDERS RESEARCH PROJECT
How Does "Social Work" Function in the Communities Without the Professional Social Workers?
Kana Matsuo and Yuki Someya, ed. March 2022
The Roles of Buddhism in Social Work — Vietnam and Japan.
Shukutoku University, USSH-VNU, and JCSW, Akimoto Tatsuru,hd. Sakamoto Etsuko,ed. March 2015.
TOGETHER WITH HIM — The Life of Ryoushin Hasegawa
Shukutoku University Asian Center for Social Work Research, Hasegawa Masatoshi,Dozono Yoshie,tr.&ed. 2015.
Buddhist “Social Work” Activities in Asia
Akimoto Tatsuru,hd. Kikuchi Yui,ed. October 2015.(文部科学省平成27年度助成)
「仏教“ソーシャルワーク”と西洋専門職ソーシャルワーク 次の第一歩」
秋元樹監修 郷堀ヨゼフ編 2016年1月(文部科学省平成27年度助成)
第1部 アジアにおける仏教“ソーシャルワーク”の現状
(2015年10月8日開催のワークショップの記録)
第2部 仏教“ソーシャルワーク”と西洋専門職ソーシャルワーク 次の第一歩
(2015年10月9日開催の淑徳大学創立50周年記念国際学術フォーラムの記録)
秋元樹監修 郷堀ヨゼフ編 2016年1月(文部科学省平成27年度助成)
第1部 アジアにおける仏教“ソーシャルワーク”の現状
(2015年10月8日開催のワークショップの記録)
第2部 仏教“ソーシャルワーク”と西洋専門職ソーシャルワーク 次の第一歩
(2015年10月9日開催の淑徳大学創立50周年記念国際学術フォーラムの記録)

Akimoto Tatsuru,sv. Gohori Josef,ed. January 2016.(文部科学省平成27年度助成)
Islamic Social Work Practice: Experiences of Muslim Activities in Asia
Akimoto Tatsuru,sv. Matsuo Kana,ed. March 2016.(文部科学省平成27年度助成)
Kara News Letter
Back number
kara No.54 Welcoming a Delegation from the National University of Mongolia.
kara No.53 Status of Applications for Visiting Researchers in FY2023
kara No.52 New Booksand a Report are published!
kara No.51 ARIISW promotes new research activities in the new fiscal year
kara No.49 ARIISW holds the 7th International Social Work Academic Forum
kara No.48 The 7th ARIISW International Social Work Academic Forum(ARIISW-Shukutoku University)
kara No.47 A delegation of the Indonesian government visits ARIISW!
Kara No.46 Report: The PhD Degree Celebration Lectures
kara No.45 Announcement: PhD Degree Celebration Lectures
kara No.44 Buddhist Social Work Moves Towards a New Global Level!
kara No.43 A Visiting Researcher arrives in Japan To write up a PhD dissertation
kara No.42 A Brief Report on ARIISW’s Activities:A co-hosted study group on international social work
kara No.41 Status of applications for visiting researchers in FY2022.A total of 6 applicants from 5 countries!
kara No.40 Research Series “Exploring Buddhist Social Work:”Two New Titles Released
kara No.39 Visiting Researchers Awarded by the Ph.D. title !Two researchers who finished the unique “Visiting Researcher ROMPAKU program” successfully completed their Ph.D.
kara No.53 Status of Applications for Visiting Researchers in FY2023
kara No.52 New Booksand a Report are published!
kara No.51 ARIISW promotes new research activities in the new fiscal year
kara No.49 ARIISW holds the 7th International Social Work Academic Forum
kara No.48 The 7th ARIISW International Social Work Academic Forum(ARIISW-Shukutoku University)
kara No.47 A delegation of the Indonesian government visits ARIISW!
Kara No.46 Report: The PhD Degree Celebration Lectures
kara No.45 Announcement: PhD Degree Celebration Lectures
kara No.44 Buddhist Social Work Moves Towards a New Global Level!
kara No.43 A Visiting Researcher arrives in Japan To write up a PhD dissertation
kara No.42 A Brief Report on ARIISW’s Activities:A co-hosted study group on international social work
kara No.41 Status of applications for visiting researchers in FY2022.A total of 6 applicants from 5 countries!
kara No.40 Research Series “Exploring Buddhist Social Work:”Two New Titles Released
kara No.39 Visiting Researchers Awarded by the Ph.D. title !Two researchers who finished the unique “Visiting Researcher ROMPAKU program” successfully completed their Ph.D.
International Journal of Buddhist Social Work
An international peer-reviewed academic journal focused on Buddhist social work. Academic papers, case studies, reports, and other content focus on theory and practice of Buddhist social work. Building bridges not only between Buddhism and social work but also across countries, regions, and cultures.
Issued by Asian Buddhist Social Work Research Network, supported by Asian Research Institute for International Social Work (ARIISW) at Shukutoku University, Japan.
Asian Research Institute for International Social Work
200 Daiganji-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba 260-8701 JAPAN
3F, Chiba Campus Building No. 1 (Shukusui Memorial Museum)
TEL:+81-43-265-9879 FAX:+81-43-265-7339
200 Daiganji-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba 260-8701 JAPAN
3F, Chiba Campus Building No. 1 (Shukusui Memorial Museum)
TEL:+81-43-265-9879 FAX:+81-43-265-7339
