Contemporary Japan - History, Politics And Social Change Since The 1980S

Contemporary Japan: History, Politics and Social Change since the 1980s presents a comprehensive examination of the causes of the Japanese economic bubble in the late 1980s and the socio-political consequences of the recent financial collapse.
Represents the only book to examine in depth the turmoil of Japan since Emperor Hirohito died in 1989, the Cold War ended, and the economy collapsed
Provides an assessment of Japan's dramatic political revolution of 2009
Analyzes how risk has increased in Japan, undermining the sense of security and causing greater disparities in society
Assesses Japan's record on the environment, the consequences of neo-liberal reforms, immigration policies, the aging society, the US alliance, the Imperial family, and the 'yakuza' criminal gangs

Jeff Kingston is Professor of History and Director of Asian Studies at the Japan Campus of Temple University. He has written widely on modern Japanese history and Japan's relations with Asia, including the books Japan in Transformation 1952-2000 (2004) and Japan's Quiet Transformation: Social Change and Civil Society in the 21st century (2005).

List of figures.
Series editor’s preface.
1. Introduction: Post-WWII Transformations.
2. The Lost Decade.
3. Defusing the Demographic Time Bomb.
4. Families at Risk.
5. Jobs at Risk.
6. Contemporary Politics.
7. Security and the Peace Constitution.
8. Environmental Issues.
9. Immigration.
10. War Memory and Responsibility.
11. The Imperial family.
12. Yakuza.
13. Prospects.
Glossary.
Further Reading.