Reinventing Japan : From Merchant Nation to Civic Nation

The merchant nation of Japan's fall from grace in recent years has lead to a major realignment of state - society power relations with welcomed democratizing effects. This book is about the emerging civic face of twenty-first century Japan. It illustrates how new and emerging relationships between civil society groups and local government are becoming key elements of Japan's changing structures of governance. It closely examines such issue areas as e-democracy, decentralization, foreign workers, NGOs and the role of women, which have converged to open the way for reinventing Japan. It demonstrates how the expansion of associational life in Japan is surely heading for a more autonomous civil society. "This is politics from the grassroots level. Takao's nuanced focus on local government and voluntary associations forms the basis of a lively and provocative reinterpretation of Japanese society, including both its recent history and its future directions. The book will be an indispensable resource for anyone wanting to understand the new shape of Japanese democracy and governance."--Sandra Wilson, Associate Professor Japanese Studies, Murdoch University, Australia "Yasuo Takao presents a fascinating and original perspective on Japan's alleged 'lost decade.' In reflecting upon the growing significance of civil society, social capital, and 'glocalization, ' his study presents a valuable corrective to many orthodox accounts of Japanese politics rooted in statist, economistic and territorialist analytical assumptions." - Anthony McGrew, Professor of International Relations and Head of the School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, United Kingdom "Yasuo Takao challenges existing understandings of state-civil society relations by focusing on local governments and local communities. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and a deep engagement with the political science literature, this book provides original and refreshing insights into the actions of citizens in local government, non-profit organisations, volunteer groups, women's groups and the internet, and their contribution to the formation of a new 'civic nation.' " - Vera Mackie, University of Melbourne, author of Feminism in Modern Japan, Citizenship, Embodiment and Sexuality." Japanese society is clearly in transition and Yasuo Takao provides important evidence that Japanese citizens are becoming more involved in the political decisions affecting their lives. No longer willing to accept a "Japan, Inc." controlled by big business and central government officials, people are forming new alliances to advance their interests and address local problems. For students of contemporary Japanese politics, this book's optimistic view of the future of Japan's democratic institutions will be a welcomed contribution." - John Sagers, Associate Professor of History, Linfield College Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 List of Figures......Page 9 List of Tables......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 A Note on Conventions......Page 14 Introduction: Civil Society and Local Government......Page 16 1 National Identity and Democracy: Reactive Pacifism to Proactive Pacifism......Page 34 2 A Local Focus of the Nation-State: Production to Consumption Priorities......Page 48 3 The Rise of Voluntary Associations: Exclusive Chien-Ketsuen to Inclusive Voluntarism......Page 70 4 Democratic Decentralization: Participation in Local Community Decision Making......Page 86 5 Co-Governance by Local Government and Civil Society Groups: Balancing Equity and Efficiency for Trust in Public Institutions......Page 104 6 “Digital” Local Communities: Disengagement to Participation......Page 126 7 Women in Grassroots Politics: From Voters to Politicians......Page 150 8 Foreigners in Local Communities: Beneficiaries to Participants......Page 170 Conclusion: In Search of New Directions for Japan......Page 194 Notes......Page 204 Bibliography......Page 238 C......Page 258 D......Page 259 F......Page 260 K......Page 261 L......Page 262 M......Page 263 N......Page 264 P......Page 265 T......Page 266 W......Page 267 Y......Page 268 9781403984142 Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Figures 9 List of Tables 10 Acknowledgments 12 A Note on Conventions 14 Introduction: Civil Society and Local Government 16 1 National Identity and Democracy: Reactive Pacifism to Proactive Pacifism 34 2 A Local Focus of the Nation-State: Production to Consumption Priorities 48 3 The Rise of Voluntary Associations: Exclusive Chien-Ketsuen to Inclusive Voluntarism 70 4 Democratic Decentralization: Participation in Local Community Decision Making 86 5 Co-Governance by Local Government and Civil Society Groups: Balancing Equity and Efficiency for Trust in Public Institutions 104 6 “Digital” Local Communities: Disengagement to Participation 126 7 Women in Grassroots Politics: From Voters to Politicians 150 8 Foreigners in Local Communities: Beneficiaries to Participants 170 Conclusion: In Search of New Directions for Japan 194 Notes 204 Bibliography 238 Index 258 A 258 B 258 C 258 D 259 E 260 F 260 G 261 H 261 I 261 J 261 K 261 L 262 M 263 N 264 O 265 P 265 R 266 S 266 T 266 U 267 V 267 W 267 Y 268 #,Publisher:,Palgrave,Macmillan,#,Number,Of,Pages:,272,#,Publication,Date:,2007-11-13 "The merchant nation of Japan's fall from grace in recent years has lead to a major realignment of state-society power relations with welcomed democratizing effects. This book is about the emerging civic face of twenty-first century Japan. It illustrates how new and emerging relationships between civil society groups and local government are becoming key elements of Japan's changing structures of governance. It closely examines such topical issue areas as e-democracy, decentralization, foreign workers, NGOs and the role of women, which have converged to open the way for reinventing Japan. It demonstrates how the expansion of associational life in Japan is surely heading for a more autonomous civil society."--BOOK JACKET The book is about new dynamic forces that are driving change in Japan. It is developed around two key concepts of civil society and social capital. The focus is on pathways to Japan's social renewal that promotes stronger communities and more participatory citizenship beyond the reach of economic growth. The book is about new dynamic forces that are driving change in Japan. It is developed around two key concepts of civil society and social capital. The focus is on pathways to Japan's social renewal that promotes stronger communities and more participatory citizenship beyond the reach of economic growth