Japanese Literary Awards

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Makoto Yuasa

ゆあさ まこと

Yuasa Makoto

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1969-04-23 （Tokyo (Kodaira or Setagaya)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan

Career

Occupations
social activist, political scientist, public interest activist, university professor
Active Years
1995-
Affiliations
Moyai (Support Center for Independent Living), Anti-Poverty Network, Nationwide Child Cafeteria Support Center Musubie, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo (RCAST), Hosei University (former)
Influenced By
Itō Tōgai

Education

Musashi High School
Period: 1980s
Year of Graduation: 1988
Country: Japan
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law
Faculty of Law
Degree: 学士（法学）
Period: 1989-1995
Year of Graduation: 1995
Country: Japan
Graduate School of Law and Politics, University of Tokyo (doctoral program)
Graduate School of Law and Politics
Period: 1996-（単位取得退学）
Country: Japan
Withdrew after obtaining doctoral credits

Awards

Peace and Cooperative Journalist Fund Award (Grand Prize)
2008
Work: Against Poverty: Escaping the 'Slide Society'
Organization: Peace & Cooperative Journalist Fund
Result: winner
Osaragi Jiro Forum Prize
2008
Work: Against Poverty: Escaping the 'Slide Society'
Organization: Osaragi Jiro Forum Prize Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Against Poverty: Escaping the 'Slide Society'

2008 non-fiction

An analysis of poverty structures in Japanese society and paths to exit them; criticizes welfare barriers and the ideology of excessive 'personal responsibility'.

povertysocial exclusionwelfare policy

The Coming of Poverty

2007 non-fiction

Reports from the frontlines of poverty and policy proposals; links field activities such as food banks and homeless support with analysis.

fieldworksupport activitiespolicy recommendations

Waiting for a Hero Won't Change the World

2012 essays / commentary

An essay collection arguing for civic action and community-based solutions rather than dependence on individual 'heroes'.

civic participationcommunity actionself-help support

Tackling Child Poverty

2017 non-fiction

Collects practical initiatives such as child cafeterias and sets out policy proposals for child support.

child povertychild cafeteriaseducational inequality

Bibliography

  • Manual for Applying for Public Assistance for Those Truly in Need: You Can Do It!
  • The Coming of Poverty
  • Against Poverty: Escaping the 'Slide Society'
  • Waiting for a Hero Won't Change the World
  • Tackling Child Poverty

Style & Themes

Literary Style
analytical, practice-based proseclear, field-oriented descriptions
Recurring Motifs
poverty and exclusioncritique of 'personal responsibility'community mutual aid

Legacy

Makoto Yuasa has led Japan's anti-poverty movement through field-based activism and policy proposals, notably organizing the Year-End Worker Village and expanding support for child cafeterias. He has also influenced policy as a Cabinet Office advisor and in coordinating disaster volunteer efforts.

Archives

  • RCAST, University of Tokyo researcher profile

In Popular Culture

  • Featured in NHK specials and documentaries

Quotes

  • Waiting for a hero won't change the world
    Source: Makoto Yuasa, Waiting for a Hero Won't Change the World (2012)

Trivia

  • Gained wide recognition as 'village chief' of the 2008 Year-End Worker Village (Toshikoshi Haken-mura).
  • Serves as chair of Musubie, supporting the nationwide expansion of child cafeterias.