Obey, Not Know: Essays on Japanese Law and Society

by Colin Jones

Like many things Japanese, the Japanese legal system has its peculiarities... and Professor Jones applies his decades of legal and teaching experience to shed light on its mysteries. As with most legal systems there is method to its madness, and while the reasoning behind it all is a bit different from the approaches of Western nations, it works. Usually.Based on the author's long-running feature in The Japan Times, the book offers a selection of his most important columns, plus other articles drawn from numerous sources, and including a number of never-before published pieces. Older articles have been updated to reflect more recent developments, but remain vitally important to understanding how things work in Japan. And in spite of being written by an attorney, the book is in everyday English, peppered with entertaining and sometimes stinging asides. Here, at last, is a glimpse into the Japanese legal system, ideal for foreign residents of Japan as well as legal researchers and practitioners.

450 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2019

About the author

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Reviews

[Megha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Obey, Not Know: Essay on Japanese Law and Society" is a remarkable book that bridges the gaps between law, culture, and society. Through a series of essays, the author delves deep into the unique aspects of Japan’s legal system, shedding light on how it reflects and shapes broader societal norms and values.
Through case references he explains the loopholes in the judicial system and the issues that affect clients, judges and lawyers. One of the book's standout features is its ability to make a complex subject accessible to readers with varying degrees of familiarity with Japanese law and culture. With his humor and sarcasm, the author possesses a remarkable talent for conveying intricate legal concepts in an engaging and relatable manner. Whether you are a legal scholar, a Japan enthusiast, or someone entirely new to the subject, "Obey, Not Know" welcomes you into the world of Japanese law with open arms.