Do Domestic Journals Written in Japanese and International Journals Written in English Carry Equal Weight?

摘要

To date, most researchers in the field of architectural envi- ronmental engineering in Japan have recognized Transactions of the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) as the most prestigious journal in this field (domestically). The journal also accepts submissions in English; however, the majority of submissions are written in Japanese. Additionally, the journal presents new findings, giving priority to its members —especially those living in Japan. In other words, the majority of researchers in architectural environmental engi- neering are not attempting to positively submit academic achievements or results to the international research commu- nity using English, which is the common language of acade- mia. Most of the Japanese researchers in architectural environmental engineering prefer a conservative, closed sys- tem within Japan. This attitude seems to be a contradiction to the trend of the international research community (ie glo- bal academia), which aims to accumulate the latest innova- tive research results as common and shared knowledge. From the viewpoint of the global research community, researchers in Japan are maverick outsiders. As an extreme view, Japanese researchers are not considered members of the international research community.