An Introduction to Japanese Society: Edition 3

Yoshio Sugimoto

Jun 2010 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

Essential reading for students of Japanese society, An Introduction to Japanese Society now enters its third edition. Here, internationally renowned scholar, Yoshio Sugimoto, writes a sophisticated, yet highly readable and lucid text, using both English and Japanese sources to update and expand upon his original narrative. The book challenges the traditional notion that Japan comprises a uniform culture, and draws attention to its subcultural diversity and class competition. Covering all aspects of Japanese society, it includes chapters on class, geographical and generational variation, work, education, gender, minorities, popular culture and the establishment. This new edition features sections on: Japan's cultural capitalism; the decline of the conventional Japanese management model; the rise of the 'socially divided society' thesis; changes of government; the spread of manga, animation and Japan's popular culture overseas; and the expansion of civil society in Japan.

Ratings and reviews

I actually like the book because it's simply phrased, and even if I'm not a Sociology major/interested it's easy to read the terms and have a different take on Japanese society. If I didn't have to read it for a class I probably wouldn't have picked it up, but I'm glad I had the chance!

About the author

Yoshio Sugimoto is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Australia.