Tōjisha-Kenkyū on Autism in Japan: Against Epistemic Injustices and Tokenism

The Japanese mental health system, marked by isolation and restraint, has been challenged by Tōjisha-Kenkyū, a peer-led research practice initiated in 2001 by Urakawa Bethel House members. Drawing from disability rights and addiction self-help movements, it addresses hermeneutical injustice by creating shared language for minority experiences. Autistics in Japan also face epistemic injustices due to biases that misinterpret autism as individual deficits. The author, diagnosed with autism in adulthood, used Tōjisha-Kenkyū to redefine autism based on the social model of disability, fostering accessibility and understanding. In 2011, the author founded a Tōjisha-Kenkyū group for neurodivergents, promoting diverse narratives and driving collaborations with medicine and technology. Despite contributions, testimonial injustices and tokenism persist in Japanese academia. To counter this, the Inclusive Academia Project fosters equity through mutual learning and solidarity. Ultimately, Tōjisha-Kenkyū serves as a bridge between minority communities and academia, contributing to a more inclusive and justice-oriented society.