On central place studies in Japan

Abstract

Central place theory in Japan has changed considerably in the 10 years since the publication of review articles by Watanabe (1975), Morikawa (1977) and others. Two central research directions can be recognized. One direction aims to elucidate structural characteristics. The second direction of study has made efforts to introduce quantitative approaches in Anglo-Saxon geography; it has very rapidly developed since the study of Berry and Garrison (1958). With the exception of the studies of Ishimizu (1957c) and M. Nishimura (1956, 1969), it was not until the early 1970s that Japanese central place studies using the quantitative approach were published. Both directions of central place studies have developed in parallel, although the quantitative approach has become predominant. -from English summary