Japan Writers Association

A literary organization. Its predecessor was the Literary Association, which was established in 1926 (Taisho 15). It was dissolved during World War II when the Japan Literary Patriotic Association was founded, but was re-established in 1945 (Showa 20) under the name of the above organization. Its first chairman was Kikuchi Kan. It has been involved in many social activities, including defending the defendants in the Chatterley Trial, calling for the abolition of atomic and hydrogen bombs, opposing the Security Treaty, and issuing statements in opposition to the movement to reform the national language and characters. It has sought to establish and protect the copyrights of literary figures, such as by founding the Japan Literary Copyright Protection League in 1989, while also working to make taxation fair and promoting the welfare of its members while protecting freedom of speech. It also publishes the Literary Yearbook, news, and selected works. As of July 1998 (Heisei 10), it has 2,291 members.

[Tokuyoshi Sukekawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

文芸家団体。1926年（大正15）に設立された文芸家協会が前身。これは第二次世界大戦中、日本文学報国会の創立に伴い解散したが、45年（昭和20）に再建され、表題の名で発足。初代会長は菊池寛。チャタレイ裁判被告の擁護、原水爆禁止アピール、安保反対、国語国字改革運動に反対声明を出すなど、社会的な活動を重ねる。64年日本文芸著作権保護同盟を発足させるなど、文学者の著作権の確立と擁護を図る一方、課税の適正化を目ざして尽力し、会員の福利の増進に努めながら、言論の自由を守っている。『文芸年鑑』、ニュース、代表作選集の出版も行う。98年（平成10）7月現在、会員2291名。

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