ABSTRACT

Since 1945, Japan has successfully reinvented itself, rising from the ashes of defeat to become a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is seen as an inspiration for other developing nations and contributes significantly to global development. As the third largest economy in the world, with a reputation for technological innovation and cultural creativity, Japan is a country shaping the world we live in.

In this new edition of Japan in Transformation, Jeffrey Kingston explores the character of the nation as it has evolved since the end of the Second World War. The book:

- examines the US Occupation and explains the causes of the economic miracle and its demise
- evaluates the effect of the Lost Decade of the 1990s and the unravelling of the Japan, Inc system that prevailed in the twentieth century
- analyses such central and topical issues as the demographic crisis, regional relations, security concerns, political change and the role of women

Expanded and thoroughly revised to cover the period of 1945 to 2010, this second edition of Japan in Transformation provides a succinct and comprehensive study of the recent history of one of the most dynamic nations in the modern world.

part |2 pages

PART ONE BACKGROUND

chapter 1|5 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|9 pages

The US Occupation of Japan, 1945–52

ENEMIES TO ALLIES

part |2 pages

PART TWO ANALYSIS

chapter 3|12 pages

Postwar Politics

chapter 4|9 pages

The Economic Miracle

chapter 5|11 pages

Japan and Asia: Past and Present

A LINGERING LEGACY

chapter 6|10 pages

Japanese Security

THE UNITED STATES–JAPAN ALLIANCE

chapter 7|10 pages

Women in Japan

chapter 8|10 pages

Demographic Time-Bomb

chapter 9|17 pages

Requiem for Japan, Inc.

THE LOST DECADE

chapter 10|11 pages

Paradigm Shift

part |2 pages

PART THREE ASSESSMENT

chapter 11|6 pages

In Retrospect