Background
The database below can be used to investigate a variety of issues and themes about modern Japan, such as family life, social institutions, education, population growth, or economic development. Many of these topics are studied by sociologists, who use a variety of techniques to understand human relationships and social institutions (see The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020, for more information about sociology).
Open data
eStat is the portal site of official statistics of Japan. Data is gathered from Japanese government ministries, and made available as open data through the portal. These data can be used freely provided a citation is provided and the Terms of Use are adhered to. The database linked to below is very large, so it might seem overwhelming. It's probably best to browse the data set while thinking about a simple research question. Once you've decided on a research question, then you can focus on downloading only the files you need. It is also advisable to focus on a limited time or population (e.g., the year 2019, or Hokkaido) as another way to make your data easier to manage and understand.
Example research questions
How has the population of Japan changed in the 21st century?
Is gender equality improving in the Japanese education system?
Does the environment/prefecture in which a person lives relate to how they use their free time?
References
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2020). What is Sociology? https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/ Accessed April 6, 2020.