Japan in Transformation, 1945–2020

Description

Japan in Transformation, 1945–2020 has been newly revised and updated to examine the 3.11 natural and nuclear disasters, Emperor Akihito’s abdication, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s legacies, the 2019 World Cup and the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19. Through a chronological approach, this volume traces the development of Japan’s history from the US Occupation in 1945 to the political consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. It evaluates the impact of the Lost Decade of the 1990s as well as key issues such as the demographic crisis, war memory, regional relations, security concerns, constitutional revision and political stagnation. In response to post-2010 developments such as Abenomics, the demise of the Democratic Party of Japan and immigration policy, chapters have been reassessed to account for changes in politics, the role of women, Japan’s relationships with Asia and how and why policies have fallen short of stated goals. Overall, the volume reveals how Japan transformed into one of the largest economic and technological powers of the modern world. With a Chronology, Who’s who and Glossary, this edition is the ideal resource for all students interested in Japanese politics, economy and society since the end of World War II. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of figures Acknowledgments Chronology Who’s who Prime ministers since 1948 Map 1 Introduction PART I: The background 2 The US Occupation of Japan, 1945–52 Enemies to allies What went wrong? Democratization The reverse course The legacies of occupation Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor PART II: Analysis 3 Postwar politics The 1955 system The decline of radicalism Corruption The shadow shogun Sagawa Kyubin Political reform The changing logic of Japanese politics 4 The economic miracle The developmental state Favorable factors Adversarial trade A dual economy Growth as ideology The setting sun 5 Japan and Asia: past and present A lingering legacy Atonement and war guilt History Comfort women The Nanking Massacre Multilateralism Contemporary ties The future 6 Japanese security The US–Japan alliance Transforming Japan’s security posture A normal nation North Korea (DPRK) People’s Republic of China Lingering taboos – Article 9 and the three non-nuclear principles 7 Women in Japan Divorce Childcare leave Women and work The labor force periphery Education The birth control pill Sexploitation #MeToo 8 Demographic time-bomb Pension and medical care solvency Family-based elderly care Nursing care programs Immigration? Refugees 9 The lost decade(s) The emperor’s death The burst bubble The binge Hangover Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth Cult) The Kobe Earthquake Nuclear mishaps and misgivings Symbols that divide Social mores and delinquency Discrimination 10 Decade of adversity Tsunami Meltdowns Culture wars Press freedom Abdication Dawn of Reiwa Era Olympics? Diversity 2019 World Cup Rugby Hafu COVID-19’s political consequences PART III: Assessment 11 Retrospect and prospects Transparency Judicial reform Global norming Transformation? Bending adversity? Silver lining? PART IV: Documents Document 1 Document 2 Document 3 Document 4 Document 5 Document 6 Document 7 Document 8 Document 9 Document 10 Document 11 Document 12 Document 13 Document 14 Document 15 Document 16 Document 17 Document 18 Document 19 Document 20 Document 21 Document 22 Document 23 Document 24 Document 25 Document 26 Document 27 Document 28 Document 29 Document 30 Document 31 Document 32 Glossary Guide to further reading Index