Synopses & Reviews
In
The Globalization of Japan, Mayumi Itoh examines the various aspects of Japan’s resistance to internationalization. She shows how the opening up of Japan involves not only the accessibility of Japanese markets to foreign goods, but also the liberalization of the Japanese psyche from the
sakoku (secluded nation) mentality. Itoh unearths the roots of the sakoku mentality and reveals it as the fundamental impediment to Japan’s internationalization, examining various Japanese sakoku policies. She also analyzes the three open-door policies that Japan has undertaken in the past and demonstrates how the United States played a crucial role in each one. Concluding with a thorough assessment of prospects for Japan’s internationalization in the twenty-first century,
The Globalization of Japan offers new insights into this important and often misunderstood country.
About the Author
Mayumi Itoh is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Table of Contents
Figures and Tables * Acronyms and Abbreviations *
Part I: Introduction * Historical Background *
Part II: Japanese Sakoku * Mentality *
Sakoku Mentality and Japanese Perceptions of
Kokusaika * Japanese Perceptions of the United States * Japanese Perceptions of Asia *
Part III: Japan’s Sakoku * Policy: Case Studies *
Kome Kaikoku Japan’s Rice Market Liberalization * Japanese Constitution and
Kokusaikoken * Japan and the UN: Peacekeeping Operations and Security Council Permanent Seat * Japan’s Immigration and Foreign Labor Policies *
Part IV: Conclusion * Prospects for Japan’s
Kokusaika Figures and Tables * Acronyms and Abbreviations * Part I: Introduction * Historical Background * Part II: Japanese Sakoku * Mentality * Sakoku Mentality and Japanese Perceptions of Kokusaika * Japanese Perceptions of the United States * Japanese Perceptions of Asia * Part III: Japan’s Sakoku * Policy: Case Studies * Kome Kaikoku Japan’s Rice Market Liberalization * Japanese Constitution and Kokusaikoken * Japan and the UN: Peacekeeping Operations and Security Council Permanent Seat * Japan’s Immigration and Foreign Labor Policies * Part IV: Conclusion * Prospects for Japan’s Kokusaika