Description
Book SynopsisIn this welcome brand new fifth edition of the bestselling textbook Understanding Japanese Society, Joy Hendry takes the reader into the heart of Japanese life.
Providing a clear and accessible introduction to Japanese ways of thinking, which does not require any previous knowledge of the country, this book explores Japanese society through the worlds of home, work, play, religion and ritual, covering a full range of life experiences, from childhood to old age. It also examines the diversity of people living in Japan, the effects of a growing number of new immigrants, and role of the longest-standing Japanese prime-minister Shinzo Abe. Fully updated, revised and expanded, the fifth edition contains new material on:
- the continued effects of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters of 2011
- local examples of care for nature and the environment
- new perspectives on the role of women
- Japanâs place
Table of Contents
Introduction 1. Sources of Japanese Identity 2. The House and Family System 3. Socialisation and Classification 4. Community and Neighbourhood 5. The Education System 6. Status, Hierarchy and Ethnic Diversity 7. Religious Influences 8. Ritual and the Life Cycle 9. Opportunities for Working Life 10. Arts, Entertainment and Leisure 11. Government and the Craft of Politics 12. The Legal System and Social Control in a Global World Conclusion
