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Article History

Received: 2 May 2023

Accepted: 21 December 2023

First Online: 12 January 2024

Declarations

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: All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial or nonfinancial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript during research.

: This study was performed in line with the principles of Research Guidelines Based on the Code of Ethics of the Japan Sociological Society set forth by the Research Ethics Committee of the Japan Sociological Society. However, because this research was deeply involved in the networks of small groups in local communities, special care must be taken not to interfere with their privacy and friendships.

: Verbal informed consent to participate and publish was obtained from all interviewees prior to the interviews. The following points should be considered when conducting the survey. (1) Before conducting the qualitative survey, all survey interviewees were informed of the outline of the research, the method of publication, our position, and whether they received research grants, and their consent was obtained. We also confirmed whether they wished to use pseudonyms or real names. (2) When recording the survey using an IC recorder, the survey was conducted after explaining it to the interviewees and obtaining their consent. In this case, the recorder was placed in a position where the survey subject could see it. The recording could be interrupted in the middle of the survey if the interviewees requested. Recording was resumed only after obtaining permission from the subject of the investigation. (3) After the survey, a written record of the interviews was made and sent to the survey interviewees who wished to review it. (4) If the survey targets request confirmation of the data in a journal article, presentation at a conference, or dissertation, then permission for publication should be obtained. For example, during the preparation period of the paper or presentation, we sent only the narrative part of the survey subject's story and asked for confirmation. (5) If the survey interviewees requested the use of pseudonyms or nondisclosures after the survey was completed, their wishes were accommodated.