ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the concepts of risk analysis and management, and examines their application to the situation in East Asia. It considers various types of risk, it primarily focuses on the new social risks related to family and work in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan the more developed societies in East Asia. The book provides a basic understanding of the theoretical approaches to risk and risk regulation. It outlines the shift from a technical understanding of risks to an understanding that is also informed by psychological and sociological perspectives. The book describes the rapidly changing demographic trends in the four societies, including declining fertility rate, smaller family size, increasing female participation in the labour force, and ageing. The book deals with risk governance and regulation.
