Japanese Literary Awards

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Yoshinori Hiroi

ひろい よしのり

Hiroi Yoshinori

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1961-04-27 （Okayama Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Okayama Prefecture (birthplace) → Chiba Prefecture (worked at Chiba University) → Kyoto Prefecture (worked at Kyoto University)

Career

Occupations
Researcher, Sociologist, University professor, Public policy scholar
Active Years
1986-2025
Affiliations
Ministry of Health and Welfare (former employee), Chiba University, Faculty of Law, Economics and Humanities, University of Tokyo, Center for Advanced Science and Technology (visiting), Kyoto University, Center for the Future of Mind, Kyoto University, Institute for Human and Social Futures
Memberships
JICA (Advisory committees on social security), Toyota Foundation (Regional Community Program), The Asahi Shimbun (book review and forum committees)

Education

Nada High School
Period: 〜1980
Year of Graduation: 1980
Country: Japan
Entered University of Tokyo, College of Arts and Sciences
University of Tokyo, College of Arts and Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences (History and Philosophy of Science) / History and Philosophy of Science
Period: 1980-1984
Year of Graduation: 1984
Country: Japan
Undergraduate degree
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
Graduate School (Correlative Social Science) / Correlative Social Science
Degree: Master's
Period: 1984-1986
Year of Graduation: 1986
Country: Japan
Completed master's program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Department of Political Science (graduate)
Degree: Master's in Political Science
Period: 1988-1990
Year of Graduation: 1990
Country: United States
Graduate study (Master's in Political Science)

Awards

Osaragi Jiro Forum Prize (9th)
Work: Reconsidering Community
Organization: The Asahi Shimbun Company
Result: 受賞
Economist Prize (40th)
Work: Social Security in Japan
Organization: Weekly Economist (Mainichi Publishing)
Result: 受賞
Yamazaki Prize (34th)
2008
Result: 受賞
Real Estate Association Prize (10th)
2019
Work: Designing a Population-Declining Society
Organization: Real Estate Association
Result: 受賞
Yoshimura Prize
1992
Work: US Health Policy and Japan
Organization: Keiso Shobo (related)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Reconsidering Community: Connections, Cities, and the Future of Japanese Society

2009 Sociology / Public policy

Re-examines the concept of community and discusses the future of cities and regional societies, emphasizing care and social ties.

CommunityCareUrban studiesSustainability

Social Security in Japan

1999 Policy studies / Social security

An overview of Japan's social security system and its challenges, offering perspectives on reform.

Social securityWelfare policyInstitutional reform

Steady-State Society: A Vision of New 'Affluence'

2001 Social philosophy / Economic thought

Proposes a sustainable society model integrating environment and welfare as an alternative to growth-centered paradigms.

SustainabilityWelfareEnvironmental policy

Post-Capitalism: The Future of Science, Humanity, and Society

2015 Social thought / Futurism

Discusses visions of society beyond capitalism from the perspectives of science and humanism.

Critique of capitalismFutures studiesScience and society

Bibliography

  • In the Town of April Showers: America Seen at MIT
  • US Health Policy and Japan: Interface of Science, Culture, and Economy
  • Life and Time: Intersections of Science, Medicine, and Culture
  • The Economics of Healthcare
  • Genetic Technologies, Genetic Thought: Medical Change and an Aging Society
  • Reconsidering Care: 'Deep Time' and an Aging Society
  • Social Security in Japan
  • Steady-State Society: A Vision of New 'Affluence'
  • Reconsidering Views of Life and Death
  • Creative Welfare Society: Post-Growth Social Visions
  • Designing a Population-Declining Society
  • A History of Nothingness and Consciousness: Where Are We Headed?
  • The Future of Science and Capitalism: Beyond an Era of Struggle

Translations by Author

  • Evelyn F. Keller, 'Reflections on Gender and Science' (translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Scholarly yet accessible prose combining public policy analysis and philosophical inquiryAnalytical style that moves between theory and case studies
Recurring Motifs
CareSteady-state society (sustainable welfare)CommunityViews of life and deathRelation between science and society

Legacy

Through interdisciplinary research spanning public policy and philosophy, he has advocated rethinking care, sustainable welfare societies, and community. His writings and policy proposals have influenced government, academia, and civil society.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Sociological Society

Trivia

  • Graduated from Nada High School and proceeded to the University of Tokyo.
  • Worked at the Ministry of Health and Welfare before serving at Chiba University and Kyoto University.
  • Became Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University in 2025.