Tōjisha‐Kenkyū on Autism in Japan: Against Epistemic Injustices and Tokenism

Ayaya, S. (2025). Tōjisha‐Kenkyū on Autism in Japan: Against Epistemic Injustices and Tokenism. Journal of Social Issues, 81(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.70026

Publication date: 10 Oct 2025 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

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Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Japanese mental health system, marked by isolation and restraint, has been challenged by Tōjisha‐Kenkyū, a peer‐led research practice initiated in 2001 by Urakawa Bethel House members. Drawing from disability rights and addiction self‐help movements, it addresses hermeneutical injustice by creating shared language for minority experiences. Autistics in Japan also face epistemic injustices due to biases that misinterpret autism as individual deficits. The author, diagnosed with autism in adulthood, used Tōjisha‐Kenkyū to redefine autism based on the social model of disability, fostering accessibility and understanding. In 2011, the author founded a Tōjisha‐Kenkyū group for neurodivergents, promoting diverse narratives and driving collaborations with medicine and technology. Despite contributions, testimonial injustices and tokenism persist in Japanese academia. To counter this, the Inclusive Academia Project fosters equity through mutual learning and solidarity. Ultimately, Tōjisha‐Kenkyū serves as a bridge between minority communities and academia, contributing to a more inclusive and justice‐oriented society.

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Cited references
88
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
12 / 88 (13.6%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
13 / 173 (7.5%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 13 / 60 (21.7%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 7 / 142 (4.9%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
60 / 173 (34.7%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 37 / 142 (26.1%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
47 / 60 (78.3%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 47 / 173 (27.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 30 / 37 (81.1%).
2 cited bibliography entries could not be fully enriched from DOI metadata.
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