A History of Economic Thought in Japan: 1600 - 1945

This book provides an English-language survey of economic thought in modern Japan, covering 1600 to 1945 and comparing Western and Asian perspectives. It offers a novel approach to economic thought, a comparative analysis of Japanese economic history, and extensive archival sources. It is valuable for scholars of economic thought and those interested in understanding the moral, intellectual, and societal forces that shaped modern Japan.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This groundbreaking book provides the first comprehensive English-language survey of economic thought in modern Japan. Notably, it offers both a detailed study of economic thought from 1600 to 1945 and a nuanced analysis of Western and Asian perspectives on the field of Japanese economic history. Expertly translated from Japanese and written by leading scholars in the field, this exciting study includes:

A novel approach to economic thought that contextualizes the core values of thinkers across the period.
A comparative analysis of Japanese economic history that looks at the continuities across the Meiji divide.
The extensive use of archival sources, many of which were previously unavailable in English, A History of Economic Thought in Japan, 1600 - 1945 serves as a case study of how Western economic ideas spread to non-Western regions and interacted with indigenous ideas. It will therefore be of immense value to both scholars of economic thought and those seeking a deeper understanding of the moral, intellectual, and societal forces that shaped modern Japan.

The book begins by examining the economic thought of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1600 to 1868. It explores the influence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shinto on the shogunate's economic policies and how these beliefs shaped the development of Japanese capitalism. The book then moves on to examine the economic thought of the Meiji Restoration, which took place in the late 19th century and led to Japan's rapid industrialization and modernization. It explores the influence of Western economic ideas on Japanese society and how these ideas were adapted to suit Japanese cultural and political contexts.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of government in promoting economic development. It explores how the Japanese government used various policies, such as tariffs, subsidies, and public works projects, to promote industrialization and encourage foreign investment. The book also examines the role of the private sector in Japan's economic development and how it interacted with the government to shape the country's economic policies.

Another key theme of the book is the impact of globalization on Japanese economic development. It explores how Japan's integration into the global economy has influenced its economic policies, trade relations, and investment strategies. The book also examines the challenges that Japan faces in the global economy, such as competition from China and the United States and the impact of natural disasters and political instability on the country's economy.

The book also includes a comprehensive analysis of Japanese economic history from 1945 to the present. It explores the economic policies of the post-war occupation government, the emergence of the Japanese economic miracle, and the challenges that Japan faces in the post-bubble era. The book also examines the role of economic policy in shaping Japanese society and culture, such as the impact of economic growth on social inequality and the role of women in the Japanese workforce.

In conclusion, A History of Economic Thought in Japan, 1600 - 1945 is a groundbreaking book that provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of economic thought in modern Japan. It offers a novel approach to economic thought that contextualizes the core values of thinkers across the period and provides a comparative analysis of Japanese economic history that looks at the continuities across the Meiji divide. The extensive use of archival sources and the expertise of the authors make this book an invaluable resource for scholars of economic thought and those seeking a deeper understanding of the moral, intellectual, and societal forces that shaped modern Japan.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350198692