Shincho Document Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 3 (2004) award
Joji Yamamoto
やまもと じょうじ
Yamamoto Jōji
Pen Names:
George Yamamoto（Used on official website and in some public-facing contexts）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1962-09-20 （Hokkaido, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
Career
- Occupations
- politician, journalist, home care worker, social activist, author
- Active Years
- 1989-2025
- Affiliations
- Independent, Democratic Party (Japan), Reiwa Shinsengumi, Dōhōkai (rehabilitation corporation) - director
- Influenced By
- Naoto Kan
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waseda University | Faculty of Education | Political Science (seminar) | — | — | Japan |
| Saga Prefectural Sanyo High School | — | — | — | — | Japan |
Waseda University
Faculty of Education
/ Political Science (seminar)
Country:
Japan
Studied in the seminar led by Haginno Hiroki; classmates included Kiyomi Tsujimoto.
Saga Prefectural Sanyo High School
Country:
Japan
Attended high school in Saga Prefecture (grew up in Saga).
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Shincho Documentary Prize | Gokusōki | — | Shinchosha | winner |
Shincho Documentary Prize
2004
Work:
Gokusōki
Organization:
Shinchosha
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Gokusōki
2003 Non-fiction / ReportageA reportage based on his imprisonment experience and life inside and outside prison; records perspectives on disability, crime, and rehabilitation from the field.
prisonrehabilitationdisabilitywelfare
Adaptations
- [TV drama] Wednesday Premiere (TV dramatization) (2005)
Zoku Gokusōki
2008 Non-fictionA sequel to Gokusōki, including post-release activities and practical aspects of rehabilitation support.
rehabilitation supportsocial reintegration
Repeat-offender Disabled Persons
2006 Non-fictionA reportage/research work on the relationship between disability and repeat offending, discussing intersections of prisons and welfare.
disabilityrecidivismwelfare
Kakusei (Vol.1 & 2)
2012 FictionA fictional work focusing on rehabilitation and the inner transformation of individuals.
rebirthpersonal transformation
Rasen Kaidan
2014 FictionA novel depicting human relationships and the stratified nature of life.
human relationshipsrebirth
Ending Note
2018 Non-fictionAn essay-like work reflecting on the end of life and record-keeping.
end-of-life planningrecording
People Who Only Belong in Prison: What Schools Don't Teach About Disability and Crime
2018 Non-fictionA practical account discussing issues of disability and crime and the relationship between prisons and communities.
disabilitycrimecommunity support
Bibliography
- Gokusōki
- Zoku Gokusōki
- Repeat-offender Disabled Persons
- Kakusei (Vol.1 & 2)
- Rasen Kaidan
- Ending Note
- People Who Only Belong in Prison
Adaptations
- Gokusōki (TV dramatization on TBS 'Wednesday Premiere')
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- social reportagefirsthand, documentary-style narration
- Recurring Motifs
- prisonsrehabilitationperspectives of disabled peoplesocial marginality
Legacy
Through writings and lectures based on his incarceration experience, he has prompted public discussion on disability, rehabilitation, and the prison system. He is also recognized as a social activist engaged in post-release support and welfare work.
Academic Societies
- Japan Association of Social Workers
In Popular Culture
- The dramatization of 'Gokusōki' on TBS's 'Wednesday Premiere'
Trivia
- Served two terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, but received a prison sentence related to a political funds scandal.
- After release he obtained a home-helper qualification and has worked in care and welfare while continuing to write and lecture.
- Uses the name 'George Yamamoto' (山本ジョージ) on his official website and in some public contexts.