THE JAPANESE TANSHIN FUNIN

Abstract

This paper examines the tanshin funin, the Japanese commuter family. As a topic that has received little coverage in academia, this paper defines and explains the unique tanshin funin family structure that is found in Japan. Data were gathered from numerous sources, including interviews that were conducted in the Kansai region in 2000 and 2002, as well as secondary interviews and research that has been published by Japanese scholars and the media during the last two decades. First the absence of the tanshin funin from past family research is discussed, followed by the historical development of this family structure and the factors that enable and maintain its existence. The purpose of this paper is to recognize and explore the tanshin funin in Japan, as it is yet to be identified in Western academia.

ESTE documento examina la tanshin funin, la familia viajera trabajadora [commuter family] japonesa como un tema que ha recibido poca atención en el mundo académico. Este documento define y explica la exclusiva estructura familiar que existe en Japón. Los datos fueron acumulados usando fuentes numerosas, incluyendo entrevistas que se realizaron en la región Kansai en los años 2000 y 2002, así como entrevistas e investigaciones que especialistas japoneses han publicado en las ultimas dos décadas. En primer lugar, la ausencia de la familia tanshin funin de investigaciones anteriores sobre la familia es discutida, seguido por una discusión del desarrollo histórico de esta estructura familiar y los factores que hacen posible y sostienen su existencia. El propósito de esta investigación es reconocer y explorar la tanshin funin en Japón, como todavía no ha sido identificada en el mundo académico occidental.

Keywords:

• tanshin funin
• commuter family
• family relations

Palabras clave:

• la tanshin funin
• la familia viajera trabajadora
• relaciones de la familia

I would like to acknowledge the help and support of Yumi Yasui and Richard Owen while conducting the interviews. I am also indebted to the parents whom I interviewed, not only for their time, but for discussing their families’ experiences.

Notes

1. This paper specifically explores the tanshin funin within Japan and does not address internationally based tanshin funin.

2. When I use the term ‘Western’ I am making general statements about Western academics or family studies, contrasting them with Japanese academics or family studies.

3. This family form could also be expanded to include same-sex families, though this is not found in the existing literature.

4. Fairlee Winfield (1985) wrote an informative book, Commuter Marriage, that discussed the circumstances of the commuter marriage in the USA and how such marriages are held together.

5. Aoki's (1997) translation of Japanese geographical surveys from the 700s explained the products used in trade and consumption, etymologies of place names and written versions of oral traditions, all of which were extremely invaluable sources of historical information.

6. The author developed the research protocol at the University of Calgary. Both the 2000 and 2002 interviewing was approved by the University Ethics Committee.

7. I make this judgement as a former English as a Second Language teacher.

8. Officially called The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology, here in referred to as MEXT.