The Japan Society Review

By Nils-Johan Jørgensen Based in part on the author's first-hand experience during his diplomatic postings to Tokyo and Bonn (1984-93), and supported by significant primary research, this parallel study of the post-war "resurrection" of two defeated nations provides a striking new and insightful analysis into the nature of Germany and Japan's recovery, highlighting in particular the shared cultural, linguistic, moral and technological factors that were essential for this "phoenix" phenomenon to take place. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

By Kevin J. Cooney The sudden end of the Cold War took the Japanese foreign policy community by surprise. The Yoshida Doctrine which served Japanese foreign policy so well during the Cold War is no longer a viable foreign policy option. This dissertation examines the restructuring of Japanese foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. Through a series of 56 interviews with Japanese foregin policy elites, the changes in Japanese foreign policy are put into the context of the foreign policy literature. Review by J. Sean Curtin

Edited by Philip Towle and Nobuko Margaret Kosuge This ambitious examination of Anglo-Japanese relations over the course of the 20th century charts the fascinating history of how both nations overcame many years of prejudice and bitter conflict to form a bond fused by financial, political and military cooperation. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Edited by Ruth Taplin Innovation and Business Partnering in Japan, Europe and the United States (Taplin, 2007) is an edited volume that shows how innovation and economic growth are becoming less determined by silos of research funded and managed by governments or large corporations, and more influenced by multiple actors of different types. Review by Christopher Williams

By John Mock Less than half a century ago, a powerful sense of local identity was an integral part of Japanese life. Today, the basic composition of most communities has been significantly altered by seismic population shifts, relentless urban expansion and vastly improved transportation networks. By blending contemporary ethnography with accounts of local history, John Mock's new book attempts to convey some of the massive social changes which occurred in local Japanese living patterns over a period of six decades. The mighty northern island of Hokkaido forms the dramatic backdrop for Mock's research. Review by Sean Curtin

By Rena Krasno The author's unusual talent brings the readers back to Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) and Karatsu (in Saga Prefecture), in the short summer of 1939, letting them see what she saw, smell what she smelled, and feel the way that she felt toward a handsome young Japanese student she spent time with on the beach. Readers will find themselves seeing pre-war Japan through the eyes of a 16-year old Jewish girl. If traversing history is part of the joy of reading, then this small book is a shining jewel. Review by Tomohiko Taniguchi

By Tatsuo Kobayashi This is an introduction to the archaeology of the Jomon period in Japan which explores the complex relationships between Jomon people and their rich natural environment. From the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago to the appearance of rice agriculture around 400 BC, Jomon people subsisted by hunting, fishing and gathering; but abundant and predictable sources of wild food enabled Jomon people to live in large, relatively permanent settlements, and to develop an elaborate material culture. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Edited by Rikki Kersten and David Williams Leftist thought and activism stands as a defining force in the articulation of political culture and policy in modern Japan. Operating from the periphery of formal political power for the most part, the Japanese Left has had an impact that extends far beyond its limited success at the ballot box. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Edited by Ruth Taplin Assessing and managing risk is vitally important, and is increasingly studied in a range of areas including politics and international relations, finance and insurance, and innovation and the valuing of intangible assets such as patents and intellectual property. The degree to which innovation is encouraged or otherwise – a key factor for many businesses - depends in part on the attitude towards risk in the context in which it takes place. Taplin considers the different attitudes towards risk and innovation, and the different ways in which risk and innovation are handled, in Japan, Britain the USA. Providing a broad and detailed examination of the subject, she discusses topics including risk management standards, managing risk in marketing, the insurance industry, patents, and in venture capital, and of how risk management in organizations has evolved. Review by Sean Curtin

Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi A detailed guide to Kyoto's 'tsuboniwa', or courtyard gardens: compact, hidden urban oases not easily accessible to the casual visitor. Each garden is a unique auesthetic treasure tucked away inside business and residential structures originally built by Kyoto's merchant class. Following 'Landscapes for Small Spaces' and 'The Hidden Gardens of Kyoto', Mizuno has photographed and described 81 gardens within 52 buildings (including shops, inns, teahouses, restaurants and private homes) to offer an unprecedented display of the flawless taste of Kyoto aesthetics. Includes detailed plans and diagrams, as well as concise explanations of the plants and stones that form such an important part of the overall aesthetic.