Contemporary Japan: History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s presents a comprehensive examination of the causes of the Japanese economic bubble in the late 1980s and the socio-political consequences of the recent financial collapse.Represents the only book to examine in depth the turmoil of Japan since Emperor Hirohito died in 1989, the Cold War ended, and the economy collapsed.Provides an assessment of Japan's dramatic political revolution of 2009.Analyzes how risk has increased in Japan, undermining the sense of security and causing greater disparities in society.Assesses Japan's record on the environment, the consequences of neo-liberal reforms, immigration policies, the aging society, the US alliance, the Imperial family, and the 'yakuza' criminal gangs.Selected as a 2011 Outstanding Academic Title by CHOICE.
Jeff Kingston Books



The second edition of this comprehensive study of recent Japanese history now includes the author's expert assessment of the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, including the political and environmental consequences of the Fukushima reactor meltdown.
Japan in Transformation, 1945-2020
- 226 pages
- 8 hours of reading
The book offers an updated analysis of Japan's significant transformations from 1945 to 2020, focusing on pivotal events such as the 3.11 natural and nuclear disasters, Emperor Akihito's historic abdication, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's political legacies. It also discusses the cultural impact of the 2019 World Cup and the unprecedented postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a comprehensive overview of Japan's recent history and challenges.