Contemporary Japan (Contemporary States and Societies) Duncan McCargo

Japan is one of the world"s most important societies, yet one of the least understood. This book is designed to fill the gap for a concise but thought-provoking introduction to all aspects of its political, economic, and social life set in a clear historical context. The author provides a range of alternative perspectives--mainstream, revisionist, and culturalist--to seeing Japan as a unique society and to emphasize the similarities between Japan and other advanced democracies. He then explores the history, economy, government, politics, society and culture.