Contemporary Japan - (Contemporary States and Societies) 4th Edition by Duncan McCargo & Sara Park (Hardcover)

About the Book

Covering all aspects of Japanese society, culture, politics, economy, geography and history, this book guides readers through the country's enduring features, recent trends and interesting debates.

Book Synopsis

What have been the fundamental shifts in Japanese society over the past decade? And what has remained the same? What will the country look like in five years from now?

Introducing you to all aspects of Japanese society, culture, politics, economy, geography and history, this book guides you through the country's enduring features, recent trends and the most interesting areas of analysis:

- Gender roles, gender fluidity and LBGTQ identities: including coverage of singledom and the changing nature of family life
- Changing demographics: considering the impact of increased immigration from China and Vietnam coupled with a falling birth rate and declining indigenous population
- The current state of Japanese politics: analysing the dominance of the LDP and the legacy of Shinzo Abe
- Reflections on contemporary Japanese culture: discussing the politics of education, the role of the media and the online sphere, new social movements, environmentalism
- Trends in Japan's external relations: looking at the LDP's increased defence spending, the continued rise of China and Russia's war in Ukraine.

With case studies, the latest data and lively debate, Contemporary Japan is essential reading if you are studying any aspect of Japanese sociology, politics, history, culture or language, or if you are simply interested in learning more about the country.

Review Quotes

"This updated edition of Contemporary Japan continues to be an accessible and highly readable first step into Japanese Studies. It offers a wealth of information and will help students get up to speed quickly with the major debates in the field." --Christopher Perkins, University of Edinburgh, UK

"This textbook is a monumental achievement in condensing a large amount of information into a highly readable form. Structuring discussions across history, politics, economics, society, and international relations around mainstream, critical, and culturalist interpretations creates a simple yet insightful frame for students to more deeply understand Japan." --Mary M. McCarthy, Drake University, USA

"This is a concise yet appropriate introduction to contemporary Japan that addresses many of Japan's current problems. It also introduces some central theoretical concepts from general social science research and uses them in the analysis of contemporary Japan." --David Chiavacci, University of Zurich, Switzerland

This is a concise yet appropriate introduction to contemporary Japan that addresses many of Japan's current problems. It also introduces some central theoretical concepts from general social science research and uses them in the analysis of contemporary Japan.
David Chiavacci, University of Zurich, Switzerland

This textbook is a monumental achievement in condensing a large amount of information into a highly readable form. Structuring discussions across history, politics, economics, society, and international relations around mainstream, critical, and culturalist interpretations creates a simple yet insightful frame for students to more deeply understand Japan.
Mary M. McCarthy, Drake University, USA

This updated edition of Contemporary Japan continues to be an accessible and highly readable first step into Japanese Studies. It offers a wealth of information and will help students get up to speed quickly with the major debates in the field.
Christopher Perkins, University of Edinburgh, UK

About the Author

Sara Park is Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan.

Duncan McCargo is President's Chair Professor in Global Affairs at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.