Hegemony of Homogeneity: An Anthropological Analysis of Nihonjinron

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The book critiques the stereotypes surrounding Japanese culture, focusing on the concept of Nihonjinron, which shapes Japanese identity and societal norms. Harumi Befu reviews a wide range of literature on topics such as ecology, community structure, and values, illustrating how Nihonjinron influences public orientation and serves as a form of civil religion. He explores the historical shifts in Japanese self-identity since the Meiji period, highlighting the alternating phases of positive and negative self-perception within the culture.