Japan'S Postwar History

The author demostrates how war and the Allied occupation played a role in eliminating Japan's rigidly hierarchical pre-war society, explains why mid-90s Japan has no clear political direction, and shows how Western stereotypes have distorted Japan's history.

First Published in 1997. This comprehensive survey of Japan''s post-war history integrates analysis of political, economic, and social topics. It presents the rapid, complex and sometimes contradictory evolution of Japan in an enviably clear style and provides an unrivalled textbook for students seeking a balanced and accessible introduction to modern Japan. The outcome of nearly 30 years’ experience of teaching, researching, and writing Japanese history, Japan''s Post-war History offers an analysis of political relationships, institutions and behaviour at local, national and inter­national levels. Economic aspects of Japan''s recent history receive equal attention and the dramatic changes that have taken place in the agricultural, manufacturing and service industries are examined within the context of Japan''s role as an international trading power. Material standards of living, the behaviour of Japanese as consumers, and the gradual shift in the role of women are also investigated. Given the deep-seated continuities between pre- and post-war Japan, the book also examines in detail the thirteen years before 1945 which imparted many legacies that have profoundly influenced contemporary Japan.