Contemporary Politics in Japan

Masumi's book examines the relationship between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the state, and the forces of industrialization in Japan from the 1950s through the 1980s, arguing that Japan's rapid economic growth was promoted by an iron triangle among three actors. It also reflects on the end of LDP rule in 1993.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

This comprehensive study, authored by one of Japan's foremost political scientists, delves into the intricate relationship between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the state, and the forces of industrialization in Japan from the 1950s to the 1980s. As the sole English book dedicated to comprehensively describing and analyzing Japan's political development during this crucial period, it stands as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers.

In his analysis, Masumi posits that Japan's rapid economic growth was facilitated by a powerful iron triangle comprising three key actors: the LDP, the bureaucracy, and big business. This growth, in turn, fueled the significant social transformations of the 1960s and 1970s, ultimately leading to the transformation of the iron triangle and the basis of party power. In the final chapter, Masumi reflects on the end of LDP rule in 1993, offering insights into the political landscape that followed.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, a mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds, providing them with a platform to express their ideas and reach a wider audience. Drawing on a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived utilizes print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again. Originally published in 1995, this title remains a valuable contribution to the field of Japanese politics and history.

Weight: 816g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520332782