Description
Book SynopsisThe post-Cold War era has been difficult for Japan. A country once heralded for evolving a superior form of capitalism and seemingly ready to surpass the United States as the world’s largest economy lost its way in the early 1990s. The bursting of the bubble in 1991 ushered in a period of political and economic uncertainty that has lasted for over two decades. There were hopes that the triple catastrophe of March 11, 2011—a massive earthquake, tsunami, and accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant—would break Japan out of its torpor and spur the country to embrace change that would restart the growth and optimism of the go-go years. But several years later, Japan is still waiting for needed transformation, and Brad Glosserman concludes that the fact that even disaster has not spurred radical enough reform reveals something about Japan's political system and Japanese society. Glosserman explains why Japan has not and will not change, concluding that Japanese horizons are shrinking and that the Japanese public has given up the bold ambitions of previous generations and its current leadership. This is a critical insight into contemporary Japan and one that should shape our thinking about this vital country.
Trade Review[Glosserman] traces the present trajectory of Japan. He does so in a readable style that presents his narrative convincingly to both students of Japanese affairs and readers coming to this question with little foreknowledge. * Socialism Today *
Japan, in Brad Glosserman’s view, is currently “understudied, undervalued, and underappreciated” in international relations.... [He] draws out the lessons for us all. * Times Higher Education *
Brad Glosserman has produced a well-informed book on contemporary Japan. * Survival: Global Politics and Strategy *
Glosserman’s book deserves to be widely read. * The International Spectator *
Glosserman injects a welcome dose of nuance into often black-and-white debates on Japanese decline and resurgence. * Social Science Japan Journal *
Despite the proliferation of literature on Japan’s place on the world today, Peak Japan stands out from the pack for its combination of meticulous research, broad coverage, and sheer accessibility. It is thus invaluable to both the layperson and expert alike seeking to navigate the complex economic, political, security, and societal terrain of contemporary Japan. * Pacific Affairs *
Table of ContentsContents AcknowledgmentsIntroduction 1: The Unhappy Country 2: The Lehman Shock 3: The Seiji Shokku4: The Senkaku Shokku5: Higashi Nihon Daishinsai, or the "Great East Japan Earthquake"6: Abe Shinzo’s Triumphant Return7: Peak Japan IndexAbout the Author
