Sociologist Kazuko Tsurumi died Monday, her family said. She was 88.

Tsurumi, a professor emeritus at Sophia University, was known for her research on Japanese nativism -- the practice of favoring native-born citizens and native culture over immigrants and other cultures -- and for tackling social issues, including the impact of Minamata disease.

She established the influential magazine Shiso no Kagaku shortly after World War II, together with the late political scientist Masao Maruyama and Shunsuke Tsurumi, her peace-activist brother.

Tsurumi suffered a stroke in 1995 but continued to publish interviews she conducted with writers and scholars and to compose "waka" poems.

She was known for her kimono fashion sense and knowledge of classical Japanese dance.