Contemporary Japan / Duncan McCargo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McCargo, Duncan.

Series:

Contemporary states and societies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Japan--History--1945-.

Japan.

History.

Japan--Politics and government--1989-.

Politics and government.

Japan--Social conditions--1945-.

Social conditions.

Physical Description:

xii, 244 pages : illustrations, maps ; 22 cm.

Edition:

Third edition, revised and updated.

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Summary:

Japan is one of the world's most important societies, yet remains one of the least understood this book is designed to fill the gap for a concise but thought-provoking introduction to all aspects of the country's political, economic and social life set in a clear historical context.

The author's starting-point is that the study of Japan is 'contested territory', where even apparently simple questions such as 'Who is in charge?' spark considerable disagreement and controversy among experts. To understand contemporary Japan, Duncan McCargo argues, it is necessary to get to grips with a range of different perspectives on Japanese political and social structures. Integrating contrasting perspectives throughout, the core chapters of the book focus on the changing economy, government and politics, society and culture, and Japan's place in the wider world.

The new third edition of this popular text has been fully revised and updated throughout to cover key developments such as the historic end of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) rule in 2009 This accessible and lively book will be essential reading for both students and general readers who want to know more about this important country Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction: Themes and Debates 1

The mainstream perspective 2

The revisionist approach 4

The culturalist perspective 5

The country and its people 7

Conclusion 17

2 Historical Background 18

The Tokugawa period (1603-1868) 18

The Meiji period (1868-1912) 20

Taisho democracy 25

Imperialism, militarism and war 26

The American Occupation 32

3 The Changing Political Economy 38

The Occupation and after 39

Consolidating growth 42

Savings 46

The developmental state? 47

The structure of Japanese business 50

Busts and booms 62

Accounting for the end of the 'miracle' 67

Conclusion 73

4 Social Structure and Social Policy 76

Cultural characteristics 76

Family structure 78

Dating and relationships 82

The urban-rural divide 86

Women 90

Minorities 92

Immigration 95

Religions 96

Health and demography 99

Welfare 101

Class and inequality 103

Conclusion 103

5 Governing Structures 105

Electoral system 105

The prime minister 108

The Cabinet and the ministries 110

Local government 115

The judiciary 118

Bureaucracy and the bureaucratic-dominance debate 119

The policy process 124

Conclusion 128

6 Political Society: Parties and Opposition 129

The rise of the Democratic Party of Japan 130

The significance of the DPJ victory 132

The nature of the DPJ 133

Signs of long-term change? 136

A messy aftermath 138

Explaining the LDP 139

Reforming party funding 142

Opposition politics 143

The labour movement 143

The end of LDP rule in 1993 145

Japanese politics after 1993: the second party system? 147

Is there a new Japanese politics? 151

Conclusion 155

7 Socialization and Civil Society 157

Sources of socialization and social control 157

Policing and the criminal justice system 165

Forms of social organization and participation 173

Contrasting perspectives on Japanese civil society 180

8 Japan's External Relations 182

Japan's Self-Defence Forces 184

The US-Japan alliance 187

Okinawa and the issue of American bases 191

Japan and Asia 192

Japan and China 197

Japan and North Korea 200

Aid policy 202

Trade and investment 204

Internationalization 207

Other key relationships 209

Conclusion 210

9 Conclusion 213

Interpreting Japan 219

Conclusion 221

Recommended Reading 222.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780230248687

0230248683

9780230248694

0230248691

OCLC:

797975170