Cool Japan: Case Studies from Japan's Cultural and Creative Industries

by Timothy J. Craig

Step inside the world of Japanese popular and traditional culture, where J-pop music producers, anime and video game creators, idols, fashion designers, tea and sake makers, sumo wrestlers, and businesspeople create the products and enjoyment that have made Japan a “cultural superpower” and become part of the daily lives of people around the world.

Cool Japan brings together twelve up-to-date “case studies” on Japanese pop music, male and female idols, video games, anime, fashion, Hello Kitty, samurai dramas, tourism, tea, sake, sumo, and the Japanese government's "Cool Japan" strategy. Readers not only learn about various genres and forms of Japanese culture—some familiar, some less so—they also follow Japan’s creators as they wrestle with the cultural and business challenges that come with competing in a globalized and fast-changing world.

Extensively researched and rich in detail, Cool Japan is engaging and eye-opening reading for anyone with an interest in Japan. It is also ideal for use in school or university classrooms, in courses on Japan, popular culture, or business.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2017

About the author

Tim Craig grew up in Pendleton, Indiana, went to Wabash College, and washed up on Japan's shores in search of adventure at the age of 23. He got hooked, and has split the many years since then among Japan, the US, and Canada. He is now happily settled in Ashiya, Japan, between Osaka and Kobe.

Tim has 20-plus years’ teaching and research experience in Canadian and Japanese business schools, and is founder and chief editor of BlueSky Academic Services (www.blueskyacademic.net). In addition to enjoying Japanese pop culture and cheering for the Orix Buffaloes baseball team, Tim is rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the Osaka-based Zen Brothers band.

Reviews

[Christopher Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review of the book, see https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/09/...

[Powersamurai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for a long-termer like myself, this book adds details to what we already knew about various aspects of Japanese culture. A must read if you're a wordsmith looking for that something extra.