Ebook: Modern Japan: A Very Short Introduction

Japan is arguably today's most successful industrial economy, combining almost unprecedented affluence with social stability and apparent harmony. Japanese goods and cultural products are consumed all over the world, ranging from animated movies and computer games all the way through to cars, semiconductors, and management techniques. In many ways, Japan is an icon of the modern world, and yet it remains something of an enigma to many, who see it as a confusing montage of the alien and the familiar, the ancient and modern. The aim of this Very Short Introduction is to explode the myths and explore the reality of modern Japan - by taking a concise look at its history, economy, politics, and culture.;Cover -- Contents -- Acknowledgements and conventions -- List of illustrations -- Introduction: what8217;s modern about modern Japan? -- 1 Japan8217;s encounter with the modern world -- 2 Imperial revolution: embracing modernity -- 3 Overcoming and overcome by modernity: Japan at war -- 4 Economic miracles and the making of a postmodern society -- 5 Overcoming denial: contemporary Japan8217;s quest for normalcy -- Epilogue: Japan in the 21st century -- Further reading -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.