Robert J. Pekkanen is Associate Professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Washington, USA.Yutaka Tsujinaka is Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.Hidehiro Yamamoto is Associate Professor at the University of Yamagata, Japan Translated by Leslie Tkach-Kawasaki, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan

"This book will help shift the focus of future research on neighborhood associations to also address urban realities. Why are successfully organized associations emerging in urban areas, and how should we assess the advantages and disadvantages of these associations? Japan is a country where 80% of the population now lives in urban areas. This book reveals the diverse nature of associations providing social services in urban areas, and we can only hope that future research will incorporate more recently prevalent housing arrangements, such as condominiums and rented homes, which were not covered by the study on which this book is based."Yosuke Sunahara Osaka UniversitySocial Science Japan Journal, vol 19, no 1, January 2016 115

• 1. Neighborhood associations in Japan’s civil society 2. Profiles of neighborhood association organizations 3. Structural operations of neighborhood associations 4. Social capital and participation in neighborhood association activities 5. Mutual collaboration between neighborhood associations and other organizations 6. Neighborhood associations and social service activities 7. Cooperation and collaboration with local governments 8. Neighborhood associations and political participation 9. Conclusion: Local community networks and straddling civil society structures

Robert J. Pekkanen is Associate Professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Washington, USA.Yutaka Tsujinaka is Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.Hidehiro Yamamoto is Associate Professor at the University of Yamagata, Japan Translated by Leslie Tkach-Kawasaki, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan

"This book will help shift the focus of future research on neighborhood associations to also address urban realities. Why are successfully organized associations emerging in urban areas, and how should we assess the advantages and disadvantages of these associations? Japan is a country where 80% of the population now lives in urban areas. This book reveals the diverse nature of associations providing social services in urban areas, and we can only hope that future research will incorporate more recently prevalent housing arrangements, such as condominiums and rented homes, which were not covered by the study on which this book is based."Yosuke Sunahara Osaka UniversitySocial Science Japan Journal, vol 19, no 1, January 2016 115

• 1. Neighborhood associations in Japan’s civil society 2. Profiles of neighborhood association organizations 3. Structural operations of neighborhood associations 4. Social capital and participation in neighborhood association activities 5. Mutual collaboration between neighborhood associations and other organizations 6. Neighborhood associations and social service activities 7. Cooperation and collaboration with local governments 8. Neighborhood associations and political participation 9. Conclusion: Local community networks and straddling civil society structures