Synopses & Reviews
Fifty years ago, a new alliance of Japanese elites sparked the miraculous transformation of their country from a land decimated by war to an economic superpower that would become the envy of the world. These elites represented the best and brightest of Japan and they were willing to make great sacrifices for the prosperity of their people. Now, this same elitist system may be the nation's downfall. The new elites who replaced the pre-World War II zaibatsu elite have formed their own brand of upper class rule based on corporate control and domination of the state. Intent on solidifying their power through arranged marriages and interlocking families, many Japanese believe the new elite has become corrupt and self-serving. The resulting inequality has spurred growing anger among the non-elite classes. At a time when stability defines the new world order, Japan faces its greatest threat—the threat from within.
Bound to be controversial, Who Rules Japan? is a study that expertly connects the country's economic, cultural, historical, and political facets. Kerbo and McKinstry explain how this new type of upper class has gradually spurned the traditional ideals of democracy in favor of an elitist approach that exploits the masses and causes ominous unrest. As a result, Japan is now confronted with a critical turning point in its history. The elites must choose between consolidating their personal power by continuing to resist change or beginning to make necessary sacrifices for their nation at the expense of their own privilege and prestige. The course they take will determine Japan's fate and the shape of the world order into the next century. Unique in its approach, this book will be of interest to scholars, researchers, students, and the general reader—all those interested in understanding Japan's inner struggle.
Review
This bold book is recommened for scholars, advanced students, and others interested in probing and understanding Japan's inner struggle.Journal of Asian Business
Review
In nine chapters, the authors deal with topics like social structure and culture, the postwar and present-day Japanese upper class and the giant corporate conglomerates, the bureaucratic and political elites, uniting for power through intermarriage and networking, and human resource staffing through university and old-school ties. The final chapter is a fascinating account of ideas about the orchestration of culture, groups, control, education, social change, labor, and mass society. Scholars and others interested in the evolving new world order can benefit from this provocative book.Library Journal
Synopsis
"A fascinating account of ideas about the orchestration of culture, groups, control, education, social change, labor, and mass society. Scholars and others interested in the evolving new world order can benefit from this provocative book." Library Journal
Synopsis
From the ashes of World War II, a group of Japanese elite rose to power, making their nation an industrial giant and economic superpower for decades to come. Now, the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism that originally drove this group has been replaced by the corruption of the present day corporate elite. The course they are charting, predict authors Kerbo and McKinstry, will send Japan spiraling toward self-destruction. This bold work takes readers into the complex political network of Japan today. It is a world filled with corporate intrigue, arranged marriages, interlocking families, and growing civic unrest. This book illustrates that Japan has reached a decisive crossroads in its history. Today's leaders must confront a moral and philosophical conflict between preserving their own power or relinquishing their privilege for the prosperity of their country. General readers and scholars with a desire to understand the forces influencing our new world order need to ask, Who Rules Japan?
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [205]-214) and index.
About the Author
HAROLD R. KERBO is Professor of Sociology of the Social Sciences Department and Director of the Pacific Rim Group at California Polytechnic State University.JOHN A. McKINSTRY is Professor of Sociology at California Polytechnic State University.
Table of Contents
Preface
The "Iron Triangle": The Nature and Impact of Japanese Elites
Japan: Some Key Aspects of Social Structure and Culture
From Bakufu to Keiretsu: The Making of the Japanese Upper Class
The Corporate Elite: A New Upper Class of "Japan, Inc."
The Bureaucratic Elite: The Guiding Hand and Training Ground for a New Upper Class
The Political Elite: Junior Partner and Protectorate
Uniting for Power: Intermarriage, Keibatsu, Business Groups, and Social Clubs
The Todai Connection: Elite Recruitment and Reproduction
Japan's Mass Society: People Control for Elite Power
Elites and the Future of Japan: Some Final Thoughts
Notes
References