Rules and Regulations of the Japan-China Sociological Society

Article 1
The official name of this organization shall be the Japan-China Sociological Society.
2. The purpose of this Society is to promote academic exchange between the sociological communities of Japan and China and to contribute to the development of sociology in both countries.
3. The Society’s office shall be located within the laboratory of Professor NIE Haisong at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu City, Tokyo, Japan.

Article 2
To achieve its objectives, the Society shall engage in the following activities:
(1) Promoting exchange between sociologists of Japan and China.
(2) Publishing and introducing research findings in sociology and related fields.
(3) Other activities necessary for achieving the Society’s objectives.

Article 3
Membership shall consist of sociologists and others who support the objectives set forth in Article 1, Section 2.
2. Membership categories shall be General Members, Student Members, and Organizational Members.
3. Those wishing to join as General or Student Members must be introduced by at least one current member or by the Secretariat and must obtain approval from the Board of Directors.
4. Organizational Members shall be organizations or institutions approved by the Board. One representative from each Organizational Member may participate in the Society’s activities.

Article 4
A member who fails to pay membership dues for three consecutive years shall forfeit their membership.
2. Withdrawal from the Society requires the approval of the Board.
3. A member who significantly damages the reputation of the Society may be expelled following deliberation by the Board.

Article 5
The Society shall have the following officers:
(1) One President
(2) Approximately fifteen Directors
(3) Two Auditors
(4) Several Secretaries

Article 6
The duties of the officers are as follows:
(1) The President represents the Society and manages its affairs.
(2) Directors assist the President in the operation of the Society. From among the Directors, the following positions shall be appointed: Director of General Affairs, Director of Accounting, Director of Membership, Director of IT and Public Relations, Director of Japan-China Sociological Studies Editing, Director of 21st Century East Asian Sociology Editing, and Director of Research and Conferences. Other directors may be appointed as necessary during their term.
(3) Auditors shall supervise the Society’s finances.
(4) Secretaries assist the respective Directors in their duties.
(5) Each Director may establish a committee to manage their area of responsibility. Each Director shall serve as the chairperson of their respective committee.

Article 7
Advisors may be appointed to the Society as needed.

Article 8
The President, Directors, and Auditors shall be appointed with the approval of the General Assembly. Their term shall be three years and they may be reappointed.
2. Separate regulations shall define the election procedures for the President, Directors, and Auditors.
3. Secretaries shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and their term shall also be three years, with reappointment permitted.
4. If the President resigns during their term, the Board shall select an Acting President from among the Directors. The Acting President shall serve until the next General Assembly.
5. If a Director or Auditor resigns during their term, a successor shall be selected by the Board. The successor shall serve the remainder of the predecessor's term.

Article 9
The Society’s organizational structure shall include the following:
(1) Regular General Assembly
(2) Extraordinary General Assembly
(3) Board of Directors
(4) Secretariat
(5) Editorial Committee for Japan-China Sociological Studies
(6) Editorial Committee for 21st Century East Asian Sociology
(7) Research and Conference Committee
(8) Conference Executive Committee (under the Research and Conference Committee and chaired by the host institution)
(9) Other Committees
(10) Expanded Board of Directors

Article 10
The Regular General Assembly shall be convened by the President every June.
2. An Extraordinary General Assembly may be convened when deemed necessary by the President or Acting President.
3. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President and the Directors and shall be convened by the President.
4. The Expanded Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Directors, and Secretaries and shall be convened by the President.
5. Each Committee shall consist of its respective Director as Chair, other Directors, and Secretaries, and shall be convened by the Chair.

Article 11
The Secretariat shall be established by the President.
2. The Secretariat shall consist of the Directors of General Affairs, Accounting, Membership, and IT/Public Relations. The Director of General Affairs shall serve as the Secretary-General.
3. Branch offices of the Secretariat may be established in other locations as needed.

Article 12
The fiscal year of the Society shall begin on April 1 and end on March 31 of the following year.

Article 13
The Society’s operational expenses shall be covered by membership fees and other income.
2. The annual membership fees, including the cost of the journal Japan-China Sociological Studies, shall be as follows:

General Members: 9,000 yen

Student Members: 6,000 yen

Senior Members(In principle, those who have been members of the Society for 10 years or more and have retired from full-time employment): 6,000 yen

Members who are not in full-time employment, such as part-time or non-regular employees: 6,000 yen

Organizational Members: 10,000 yen

Article 14
Further regulations related to the Board of Directors and various committees may be established separately.

Article 15
Amendments to these rules require approval by the General Assembly.

Supplementary Provisions

These Rules shall take effect on October 10, 1982.
Revised on October 2, 1987.
Revised on June 7, 1992: Amendment of membership fees.
Revised on June 5, 1994: Change of terminology from “Regulations” to “Rules.”
Revised on September 20, 1997: Changes to the officer election system and fiscal year.
Revised on June 6, 1998: Revisions regarding membership categories, forfeiture of membership, and organizational membership fees.
Revised on June 2, 2001: Change in office location and membership fees for foreign members.
Revised on June 5, 2004: Amendment to membership fees (effective from FY2005).
Revised on June 3, 2006: Clarification of duties of Directors, changes to committees, clarification of office location (applicable until FY2006).
Revised on June 2, 2007: Addition of Director of General Affairs to the roles of Directors.
Revised on June 6, 2015: Changes to Director responsibilities and foreign membership fees (effective from FY2016).
Revised on October 13, 2019: Clarification of Society location, and separation of Accounting and Membership responsibilities.
Revised on June 4, 2022: Integration of Web and Newsletter responsibilities into Director of IT/Public Relations, integration of Research and Conference responsibilities, and clarification of the Research and Conference Committee, Secretary-General, and Committee Chairs in the Rules.

Revised on June 7, 2025: Amendment of membership fees.