This research focuses on regions that have traditionally been regarded as the “margins” of society and explores, through literary and cinematic works, the experiences of the people who have lived there and the cultures and local connections they have developed. Specifically, it examines literary works related to Aomori and Shuji Terayama, as well as literary and cinematic works that address minority communities in Osaka. By bringing together seemingly different regions and works, the research draws attention to the histories and memories passed down in each place, the everyday lives of its residents, and the cultures rooted in local communities. Through literature and film, it seeks to shed light on regions and people who have often remained overlooked and to consider how places described as “marginal” are not merely spaces removed from the social center, but can also serve as rich sites for the emergence of new forms of culture and human connection. Furthermore, the research focuses on the migration of workers from the Tohoku region to Osaka and analyzes newspaper articles using text mining in order to visualize patterns of interregional mobility and the relationships formed between different regions.

Summary slide of the research overview. (Click to view larger image)