Decoding Boundaries In Contemporary Japan: The Koizumi Administration And Beyond (the University Of Sheffield/routledge Japanese Studies Series)

This book sheds light on the changing nature of contemporary Japan by decoding a range of political, economic and social boundaries. With a focus on the period following the inauguration of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichirō, the book grows out of a recognition that, with the Koizumi administration playing a more proactive role internationally and moving ahead with deregulation and the ‘structural reform'of the economy domestically, a range of boundaries have been challenged and reinscribed. Here ‘boundaries'refers to the ways in which contemporary Japan is shaped as a separate entity by the inscription and reinscription of political, economic and social space creating insiders and outsiders, both internationally and domestically. The central argument of the book is that, in order to achieve the twin goals of greater international proactivity and domestic reform, the government and other actors supporting Koizumi's new direction for Japan needed to take action in order to destabilize and reformulate a range of extant boundaries. While boundaries often remain invisible, the aim of this book is to promote an understanding of their significance by uncovering their pivotal role. Decoding Boundaries in Contemporary Japan brings together contributions from leading and emerging scholars from the UK, Japan and the United States. It will appeal to scholars and students of Japan as well as social scientists with an interest in borders and boundaries, political scientists interested in Asia. This book sheds light on the changing nature of contemporary Japan by decoding a range of political, economic and social boundaries. With a focus on the period following the inauguration of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichir, the book grows out of a recognition that, with the Koizumi administration playing a more proactive role internationally and moving ahead with deregulation and the 'structural reform' of the economy domestically, a range of boundaries have been challenged and reinscribed. Here 'boundaries' refers to the ways in which contemporary Japan is shaped as a separate entity by the inscription and reinscription of political, economic and social space creating insiders and outsiders, both internationally and domestically. The central argument of the book is that, in order to achieve the twin goals of greater international proactivity and domestic reform, the government and other actors supporting Koizumi's new direction for Japan needed to take action in order to destabilize and reformulate a range of extant boundaries. While boundaries often remain invisible, the aim of this book is to promote an understanding of their significance by uncovering their pivotal role.Decoding Boundaries in Contemporary Japan brings together contributions from leading and emerging scholars from the UK, Japan and the United States. It will appeal to scholars and students of Japan as well as social scientists with an interest in borders and boundaries, political scientists interested in Asia. Adjusting The Boundaries Between Keidanren And Labour Unions In Japan : A Critical Reappraisal Boundaries In Japan's Business And Government Relationship : Regression, Change And Façades Diplomacy On The Boundaries : The G8, International Society And Japan's Instrumentalization Of Liminality Introduction : Why Boundaries? Japan's Responses To Actors Outside The Boundaries Of International Society : 'rogue States And North Korea's Nucler Threats Leadership Strategies : (re)drawing Boundaries Among And Within Parties In Japan Navigating The Boundaries Of The Interstate Society : Japan's Response To Piracy In Southeast Asia Shifting Boundaries In Japan's Criminal Justice System Stronger Political Leadership And The Shift In Policy-making Boundaries In Japan The Problem Of Boundaries For Japan's Local Authorities : Mergers, Public Services And The Growing Disparity In Japanese Society The Rapid Redrawing Of Boundaries In Japanese Higher Education The Strange Masochism Of The Japanese Right : Redrawing Moral Boundaries In Sino-japanese Relations Edited By Glenn D. Hook. Series Numbering From Publisher's List In Later Volume. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Purpose Of This Book Is To Illuminate The Changing Nature Of Contemporary Japan By Decoding A Range Of Political, Economic And Social Boundaries, With A Focus On The Period Following The Inauguration Of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichirō’s Administration (2001—6). A Rapid Turnover Of Prime Ministers Followed Koizumi—abe Shinzō (2006--7), Fukuda Yasuo (2007--8) And Asō Tarō (2008—)—but The Transformation Set In Motion Through His Promotion Of A More Proactive Role For Japan Internationally, And The Implementation Of ‘structural Reforms’ Domestically, Set The Direction For Future Administrations. The Central Argument Of The Book Is That, In Order To Achieve The Twin Goals Of Greater International Proactivity And Domestic Reform, The Government And Other Actors Supporting The New Direction For Japan Pushed Forward By The Koizumi Administration Needed To Take Action In Order To Destabilize And Reformulate A Range Of Extant Boundaries. This Task Was Achieved By Deploying Material As Well As Normative Resources, Including The Production Of New Discourses About The Way These Resources Should Be Deployed. The purpose of this book is to illuminate the changing nature of contemporary Japan by decoding a range of political, economic and social boundaries, with a focus on the period following the inauguration of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro's administration (2001--6). A rapid turnover of prime ministers followed Koizumi--Abe Shinzo (2006--7), Fukuda Yasuo (2007--8) and Aso Taro (2008-- )--but the transformation set in motion through his promotion of a more proactive role for Japan internationally, and the implementation of 'structural reforms' domestically, set the direction for future administratio