Understanding Japanese Society (Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies)
A comprehensive and coherent approach to understanding Japanese society ... It is a well-crafted introductory book on Japanese society with a strong emphasis on understanding through intimate observation ... this book should be prominent on many reading lists in its own right.'-Sociology`As our contact with Japan increases, books like this one and the course that inspired it, serve a valuable role in opening up the barriers to understanding.' --Times Higher Education Supplement"The author's competence and breadth of knowledge are impressive, and I would have been hard-pressed to find a more suitable guide to introduce me to life in Japan. The bibliography leaves nothing to be desired, and very much fits the metaphor of a branching tree, inviting the reader to explore any branch which he or she finds attractive.The author also convincingly states her case about some ingrained principles of Japanese society which can be glimpsed in all walks of life in Japan.The new edition is thoroughly revised, with references to works and studies as recent as 2002, and seems very up to date....To sum-up, I would recommend this book as a starting point for any particular subject you find interesting or intriguing about Japanese life, and as a quick yet thorough review of life in Japan."-- learnasecondlanguageguide.com