From Tea Houses to Izakayas: Social Interaction in Japanese Hospitality Establishments.

This special issue examines linguistic practices and social interactions within Japanese hospitality establishments (JHEs), which serve as "third places" fostering community ties beyond home and work. The articles analyze diverse settings—including a traditional neighborhood bar, a yakiniku restaurant, a nonprofit children’s diner (kodomoshokudō), and Japanese tea ceremony (Chadō) instruction—highlighting how language use and interaction embody the cultural value of omotenashi, a Japanese concept of attentive, preemptive hospitality. Findings reveal that omotenashi shapes verbal and nonverbal behaviors that facilitate inclusion, relationship-building, and emotional support across these varied contexts. This collection contributes to sociolinguistic and pragmatic research by documenting how JHEs function as vital social hubs where language reinforces identity and community cohesion.