Bücher der Reihe Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies

An exploration of the dark side to Japanese literature and Japanese society. A wide range of fantasists form the basis for a ground breaking analysis of the fantastic.

This book investigates the connections between socio-structural aspects, individual agency and happiness in contemporary Japan from a life course perspective. The contributors examine empirical data on the processes which impact how happiness and well-being are envisioned, crafted and debated in Japan across the life-cycle. The book discusses the shifting notions of happiness during people¿s lives from birth to death, analyzing the age group-specific experiences while taking into consideration people's life trajectories and historical changes. It points also out recent developments in regards to demographic change, late marriage, and the changing labor market.

The first known detailed study of the early history of the Japanese Diet, providing thorough discussion of the origins of the Japanese parliament and it's development during this formative period. Drawn from primary sources.

While the US-Japan alliance has strengthened since the end of the Cold War Japan has, almost unnoticed, been building security ties with other partners, in the process reducing the centrality of the US in Japan¿s security; this book explains why this is happening.

Seeking to challenge negative perceptions within Japanese media and politics on the future of the countryside, the contributors to this book present a counter-argument to the inevitable demise of rural society.

Through examination of contemporary Japanese society, this book demonstrates that the analysis of class formation is fundamental for a clear understanding of institutions and collective identity such as family, school work, gender and ethnicity.

The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan plunged the country into a state of crisis. As the nation struggled to recover from a record breaking magnitude 9 earthquake and a tsunami that was as high as 38 meters in some places, news trickled out that Fukushima had experienced meltdowns in three reactors. These tragic catastrophes claimed some 20,000 lives, initially displacing some 500,000 people and overwhelming Japans formidable disaster preparedness. This book brings together the analysis and insights of a group of distinguished experts on Japan to examine what happened, how various institutions and actors responded and what lessons can be drawn from Japan¿s disaster. The contributors, many of whom experienced the disaster first hand, assess the wide-ranging repercussions of this catastrophe and how it is already reshaping Japanese culture, politics, energy policy, and urban planning.

The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan plunged the country into a state of crisis. As the nation struggled to recover from a record breaking magnitude 9 earthquake and a tsunami that was as high as thirty-eight meters in some places, news trickled out that Fukushima had experienced meltdowns in three reactors. These tragic catastrophes claimed some 20,000 lives, initially displacing some 500,000 people and overwhelming Japan's formidable disaster preparedness. This book brings together the analysis and insights of a group of distinguished experts on Japan to examine what happened, how various institutions and actors responded and what lessons can be drawn from Japan's disaster. The contributors, many of whom experienced the disaster first hand, assess the wide-ranging repercussions of this catastrophe and how it is already reshaping Japanese culture, politics, energy policy, and urban planning.

This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the great transformation of Japanese capitalism from the heights of the 1980s, through the lost decades of the 1990s, and well into the 21st century. It posits an alternative analysis of the Japanese economic trajectory since the early 1980s, and argues that whereas policies inspired by neo-liberalism have been presented as a solution to the Japanese crisis, these policies have in fact been one of the causes of the problems that Japan has faced over the past thirty years.

Globalizing Japan explores the social and cultural dimensions of Japan's global presence.

Provides a thorough examination of vocational education and training in all parts of the education system; from primary education through to in-house training in companies and on the shop floor.

This book is the first comprehensive account of the changing role of men and the construction of masculinity in contemporary Japan it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of contemporary Japanese society and identity.

For more than 60 years Hirohito was Emperor - a confusing mixture of "absolute" ruler, constitutional monarch and god. This political history of Showa Japan tests the controversies surrounding Hirohito against the written evidence of his entire reign.

Via a range of issues such as abortion, suicide, capital punishment and death from overwork, this study analyzes the social sciences and law studies of contemporary Japan. It approaches the right to life in Japan from a legal viewpoint and includes a discussion from an historical perspective.

This detailed analysis of Japan's relations with sub-Saharan Africa over the last twenty years explores the political and economic contexts surrounding Japan's attitude towards apartheid, trade, aid and investment.

Japan, Internationalism and the UN provides a unique insight into Japan's foreign policy and its related domestic politics. It is the product of a wealth of study and discussion with the Japanese themselves about their place in the world.

An assessment of the development of democracy through the writings of Maruyama Masao. Based on contemporary documents and on interviews, it is the only full-scale analysis of his work to be published in English.

Approaches the history of Japanese-German relations from a business history perspective. Starts with an overview of relations, then uses case studies to broaden the picture to consider strategy, technology and management transfer.

Explaining why the attempts to reform the Japanese educational system have failed, this book argues that the lessons learned from this failure have a wider relevance in the Japanese policy-making process as a whole.

This book studies specific regional issues and problems, exploring recent related political developments in Japan, and how these might impact on future foreign policy priorities and objectives.

Gives a detailed examination of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in its role promoting, protecting and preserving the regime of agricultural support and protection. The text explains why Japan continues to provide high levels of assistance to its farmers.

The 'San Francisco System' determined the post-war political and security order in the Asia-Pacific. Drawing on research and analysis, this work gives a comprehensive examination of the system, uncovering key links between the regional problems in the Asia-Pacific and their underlying association with Japan.

This book explores the way Japan uses soft power in its relationship with the US, its Asian neighbours and Europe and aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of soft power in international relations.

The unresolved territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over the South Kuril Islands/Northern Territories remains the largest obstacle to concluding a peace treaty and normalising bilateral relations between the nations. This book traces the evolution of transnational relations between subnational public authorities in Hokkaido and Sakhalin.