Shinji Miyadai (宮台 真司, Miyadai Shinji, born 3 March 1959 in Sendai, Japan) is a Japanese sociologist and professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University.[1]

He has a PhD from the University of Tokyo for his research on Mathematical sociology. Using the method of game theory, he analyzed how the power of the state works in society. He is one of the most outspoken sociologists in Japan, and is currently working on the strategy the Japanese government should adopt for the 21st century.

He has been a constant presence in the world of Japanese letters since the publication of his PhD dissertation in 1989. His controversial work on compensated dating in Japan was the subject of much discussion after its publication.[2][3]

History

Miyadai entered Tokyo University in 1978 to become a film director. He majored in sociology which he thought might be useful. Meeting Wataru Hiromatsu and Naoki Komuro made Miyadai study seriously. Reading Noam Chomsky also inspired him.

On November 29, 2022, Miyadai was attacked at the Minami-Osawa campus in Hachioji in a widely-reported knife attack.[4] A suspect in the attack committed suicide on December 16, 2022 without explaining his motives.[5]

References

  1. 影を潜めた破壊者ぶり 石原・宮台対談 (in Japanese). Asahi Shimbun. 6 September 2007.
  2. "The world according to the teenagers in Japan: The other side of Enjo-Kosai". Compass Online, The Yearly Magazine of Student Writing in English. 1998–1999. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011.
  3. Sungmyŏng Yŏja Taehakkyo. Asea Yŏsŏng Munje Yŏnʼguso (1997). Asian women, Volumes 5-6. Research Center for Asian Women, Sookmyung Women's University. p. 102.
  4. "社会学者の宮台真司さん 講義終了直後に襲われる 予定を把握か". NHK. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022.
  5. "Suspect in attack on Japanese sociologist Miyadai killed himself".
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