Cultural Nationalism in Contemporary Japan : A Sociological Enquiry

The debate about Japan's 'uniqueness' is central to Japanese studies. This book aims to illuminate that debate from a comparative and theoretical perspective. It also tests theories of ethnicity and cultural nationalism through the use of Japan as a case study. Yoshino examines how ideas of national distinctiveness are `produced' and `consumed' in Japanese society through a study of intellectuals, teachers and businessmen. He finds that ideas of Japanese uniqueness, the nihonjinron , have been embraced more by those in business than in education. He looks at the Japanese perception of their own 'uniqueness' and at the ways in which ideas of cultural distinctiveness are formulated in different national and historical contexts. This extremely readable book combines anthropology and sociology to present both a historical analysis of the roots of the Japanese sense of national identity and a discussion of the ways in which that sense is changing. The Debate About Japan's 'uniqueness' Is Central To Japanese Studies. This Book Examines The Content And Role Of Ideas Of Japanese Uniqueness, Generally Referred To As The Nihonjinron, From Comparative And Theoretical Perspectives. It Also Illuminates Sociological Theories Of Ethnicity And Cultural Nationalism Through The Use Of Japan As A Case Study. Kosaku Yoshino, A Japanese Scholar With A Grounding In Western Academic Approaches To Nationalism And Japanese Sociology, Brings These Fields Together. In This Book He Examines Perceptions Of Japanese Uniqueness Among Intellectuals, Educators And Businessmen And Provides A Stimulating Analysis Of The Ways In Which Ideas Of Japanese Uniqueness Are 'produced' And 'consumed' In Contemporary Japan. He Finds That The Ideas Of The Nihonjinron Have Been Received More Favourably By Those In Business Than In Education. He Analyses The Ways In Which Ideas Of Cultural Distinctiveness Are Formulated In Different National And Historical Contexts And Uses The Japanese Case To Examine Theories And Assumptions About National Identity And Cultural Nationalism. This Extremely Perceptive Book Combines Sociology And Japanese Studies Within A Broad Comparative Perspective To Present An Analysis Of Both The Historical Development Of The Japanese Sense Of National Identity And The Ways In Which It Is Changing. The Book Will Appeal To Students Of Japanese Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Politics And Racial And Ethnic Studies. 1. Introduction -- 2. The Nihonjinron: Thinking Elites' Ideas Of Japanese Uniqueness -- 3. Ideas Of National Distinctiveness: Comparative Perspectives -- 4. Theories Of Ethnicity And Nationalism: A Critical Review -- 5. Modern Japanese Society As Gemeinschaft: The Holistic Tradition In Theories Of Modern Japan -- 6. Perceptions Of Japanese Uniqueness Among Educators And Businessmen -- 7. The Diffusion Of Ideas Of Japanese Uniqueness: The Response Of Educators And Businessmen To The Nihonjinron -- 8. Leading Business Elites, Nationalism And Cultural Nationalism -- 9. Explanations Of The Nihonjinron -- 10. 'resurgent Cultural Nationalism' And 'prudent Revivalist Nationalism'. Kosaku Yoshino. Originally Presented As Author's Thesis (ph.d.)--london School Of Economics And Political Science. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [247]-262) And Index. Illuminates the debate about Japan's `uniqueness', looking at modern agents of cultural nationalism and going on to test general theories of ethnicity with Japan as a case study. Focuses on the new role of the Japanese business community. Japanese author's view of Japanese view of own societyControversial thesis that businessmen use myths of Japanese uniqueness commerciallySold over 900 in hb