Nature and correlates of Ijime—Bullying in Japanese middle school

While school bullying in Japan, Ijime, has been a topic of major public concern since the 1980s, few qualitative studies have been conducted to examine its nature and correlates. Through a case study of 30 ninth graders in a Japanese middle school, the study found that Ijime has complex group dynamics in its onset and process. The analysis of student and teacher explanations concerning Ijime experiences also revealed that Japanese classroom community, which worked as a social control organization in the past, has weakened, leading to the prevalence of classroom-based Ijime. The lack of trusting relationships in peer groups also contributes to the further isolation of Ijime victims.