Modern Japan: A Social and Political History

by Elise Tipton

This thoroughly revised and updated third edition of Modern Japan provides a concise and fascinating introduction to the social, cultural and political history of modern Japan. Ranging from the Tokugawa period to the present day, Tipton links everyday lives with major historical developments, charting the country’s evolution into a modernized, economic and political world power.

Drawing on the latest research, the book features new material on the global financial crisis, the Fukushima nuclear disaster and continuing political instability. While retaining analysis of women's issues, minorities and popular culture, this third edition's expanded coverage of Japan's role in the Second World War, life in the empire and the history of science, medicine and technology contributes to a sense of the complexity and diversity of modern Japan.

Including an updated chronology, glossary and guide to further reading, as well as new maps and illustrations to help students to engage directly with the subject matter, this highly accessible and comprehensive textbook is an essential resource for students, scholars and teachers of Japanese history, politics, culture and society.

Genres: Japan, History, Nonfiction, Japanese History, Politics

308 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2002

Reviews

[Emma Mortensen]

Read for school. - One of the better course books!

[Vesper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for an introductory course to Japan's history and contemporary society and found it quite an interesting and entertaining read. There were some topics I wished had been discussed in greater detail, but overall this book feels like a great starting point for anyone interested in the modern history of Japan from the Tokugawa period onward.
I also think the title could very well include the word "economical" alongside the "social and political history", as the book also covers the booms and declines of Japanese economy quite extensively in the latter half.

[Arnault Duprez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evviva! Ho messo 6 mesi a finirlo ma c'è l'ho fatta. Non ho nulla da eccepire sulla qualità e il rigore scientifico del saggio. L’autrice, docente di cultura giapponese all’Università di Sydney, è sicuramente un’autorità in materia. Parliamo di un saggio che copre 4 secoli di storia socio-economica di un paese complesso come il Giappone. In fin dei conti 400 pagine sono praticamente un compendio. La domanda giusta me l’ha posta mio figlio: “Perché lo leggi?” La risposta è semplice. Voglio, quando leggo un autore giapponese, contestualizzare la lettura, essere in grado di capire (indovinare oppure costruire) i riferimenti culturali. Da Erdogawa Ranpo a Murakami passando per Hiromi Kawakami ci sono differenze di ambientazione, di cultura, di posizione nella società dovute al decorso della storia. Il Giappone è, fra le nazioni sviluppate economicamente, quello maggiormente patriarcale in quanto il ruolo e la posizione della donna sono decisamente arretrati in confronto a paesi con uno sviluppo simile. E’ sicuramente una società con profonde divisioni di caste, tutt’ora c’è una lega dei Burakumin (I popoli dei villaggi, la plebe, del periodo Tokugawa, 4 secoli fa). Il Giappone nega le sue minoranze, come i popoli dell’Hokaido oppure i nativi di Okinawa, nell’intento di dare una visione monolitica di unità del paese. E’ un paese molto progredito, hyper organizzato tuttavia con delle carenze sociali abissali. Quel che affascina è continuità culturale fra la storia antica e la modernità.

[Khursten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to a study of various political and economic changes that shaped Japanese society. This feels weak on the cultural end but still proves to be a valuable read in understanding Modern Japan. It's very broad though and might be missing on the details and complexities of Japanese society.

[ThedarksideofEma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al netto di qualche leggerezza negli ultimi capitoli, uno dei migliori libri sul Giappone contemporaneo probabilmente

[Rin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some boring parts which seemed to drag on forever, especially around Meiji era,
but there were also some interesting parts, especially towards the end of the book.
Mostly it was about politics, economics and society (obviously), out of which I liked the ecomomic part the most, but also role and place of women in society as well. Politics were a bit confusing and dry to read, seemingly repetitive and never-ending.
Also, there was a nice background info about military stuff, imperialism, trade with world powers, and so on which spiced things a bit, in a good way.

Personally I was hoping to see more about anime and manga, considering their impact even in 1990's on whole world, but author somehow skips it? I mean, there was some talk about it, particularly how manga from 1980's became more violent in the 1990's and how adult themes became more prevalent, especially in the shoen and shonen genres. (BTW: author didn't mentioned the genres, besides Sailor Moon's "violent heroines")
There was also sections about kuroshi and stressful environments (schools, jobs...) but I got a feeling it never amounted to much. Like, there was this info about serious topics, but somehow it got lost in the sea of text.

Overall, I liked the book, despite some flaws and my personal wants, so I'll go with 3/5 stars.
It's probably higher, but due to some dull parts, to me it's mid tier.
Still recommend it though, to all interested in Japan, whether its society, culture or politics.
It is a nice introduction no matter the topic.

[Andrew White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for anyone studying Modern Japanese History, I've only read some of the book but I found it fantastic. Tipton's writing is clear, breif yet very informative and is never boring.

[Anna Purchase · Rating 3 out of 5]

good non fiction and useful for HL history topic, but so dense and thick that it took me ages to cover :(