Democracy in Occupied Japan: The U.S. Occupation and Japanese Politics and Society (Routledge Studies in Asia's Transformations) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415560594 ISBN 13: 9780415560597

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

With expert contributions from both the US and Japan, this book examines the legacies of the US Occupation on Japanese politics and society, and discusses the long-term impact of the Occupation on contemporary Japan. Focusing on two central themes – democracy and the interplay of US-initiated reforms and Japan's endogenous drive for democratization and social justice – the contributors address key questions:

• How did the US authorities and the Japanese people define democracy?
• To what extent did America impose their notions of democracy on Japan?
• How far did the Japanese pursue impulses toward reform, rooted in their own history and values?
• Which reforms were readily accepted and internalized, and which were ultimately subverted by the Japanese as impositions from outside?

These questions are tackled by exploring the dynamics of the reform process from the three perspectives of innovation, continuity and compromise, specifically determining the effect that this period made to Japanese social, economic, and political understanding. Critically examines previously unexplored issues that influenced postwar Japan such as the effect of labour and healthcare legislation, textbook revision, and minority policy. Illuminating contemporary Japan, its achievements, its potential and its quandaries, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Japanese-US relations, Japanese history and Japanese politics.

About this title

About the Author

Mark E. Caprio is a member of the Department of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University.

Yoneyuki Sugita is Associate Professor of American History at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415560594
• ISBN 13: 9780415560597
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 260
• Editor: Caprio Mark E., Sugita Yoneyuki