The Dynamics of Japanese "Sei-katsu-sha": 2012
Ken: Toward New Social Capital

Every year, the Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living (HILL) publishes The Dynamics of Japanese "Sei-katsu-sha" outlining its predictions for the future.
In the months since the Great East Japan Earthquake, interpersonal relationships, kizuna, altruism and giving encouragement to others have been in the spotlight. When we at HILL studied sei-katsu-sha's associations and relationships, we discovered that new groups and networks that differ from traditional ties of family, network and community are starting to take root. We have dubbed these new purpose-specific, open and fluid groups and networks ken (literally meaning spheres or realms), and named the act of forming these relationships ken-creation. We believe that the reorganizing of relationships into self-selected new lifestyle ken that exceed existing norms will continue.
The Research News reports on the number of sei-katsu-sha that have ken and how ken differ from traditional associations and relationships, and the Survey on the Structure of Ken is a report on the emerging groups and networks people are creating.

Research News

Survey on the Structure of Ken Report