What Is the International Center for Folk Culture Studies (ICFCS)?

The International Center for Folk Culture Studies (ICFCS) is a joint research center whose parent body is the Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture, Kanagawa University (ISJFC). The Center was accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under its FY 2009 Program for the Promotion of Joint Research Centers in the Humanities and Social Sciences and was inaugurated on August 3, 2009.

In the context of a globalized international community, the Center aims to establish a methodology for the integrated study and analysis of popular culture and everyday life, and to seek a way toward multicultural coexistence.

ICFCS develops achievement by ISJFC in the areas of fishery systems survey and Mingu (folk implements) studies and widely provides researchers in Japan and abroad with materials, opportunities, and facilities for Jomin Bunka studies in the spirit of “harmonious development” embodied by Keizo Shibusawa (a founder of Attic Museum).

As of FY2013, ICFCS completed all commissioned projects, meeting the Ministry of Education’s “A” rating criteria of “objectives set were mostly achieved.” ICFCS has since started the second term of its program, continuing to function as a joint usage/research center.

The International Center for Folk Culture Studies had been recertified as a joint usage/research center, but in the term-end evaluation for fiscal 2019, the Center received a B rating with the description: “Although joint usage/research activities are being conducted, it has not achieved many satisfactory results. The Center is required to make more appropriate efforts, based on advice from members of the expert council and the opinions of relevant communities.” With this evaluation, we allowed the joint usage/research center certification to expire as of March 31, 2020.

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Kanagawa University
International Center for Folk Culture Studies