The Foundations Of Japan S Modernization

Tracing and evaluating the development in the history of Japanese culture and society that permits Japan's rapid and continuing modernization, Professor Yoda provides a new and original approach to the modernization of Japan. He starts from the assumption that Japan was better equipped for modernization because pre-modern Japan had already started to abandon Confucian influences. In his account of modernization during the Meiji-period he focuses on general patterns inherent in Japanese culture and society enabling Japan to integrate foreign elements without having to follow foreign models slavishly. 'Patterns in culture', such as the Japanese preference for juxtaposing the new and the ancient, are contrasted with China's preference for discarding past institutions in revolutionary processes. The transferability of paradigms such as 'absolutism' is accepted with some modifications. In the major descriptive part of the work, the history of economic, political, institutional modernization is presented on the basis of quotations from original Japanese (and Chinese) sources, arranged within the methodological framework of universal historical concepts, indigenous cultural patterns and specific conditions in both countries. The book is composed of two articles previously published in Japanese and Chinese, two new chapters written especially for the volume, and background information provided by Professor Radtke.

Tracing and evaluating the development in the history of Japanese culture and society that permits Japan's rapid and continuing modernization, Professor Yoda provides a new and original approach to the modernization of Japan. He starts from the assumption that Japan was better equipped for modernization because pre-modern Japan had already started to abandon Confucian influences. In his account of modernization during the Meiji-period he focuses on general patterns inherent in Japanese culture and society enabling Japan to integrate foreign elements without having to follow foreign models slavishly. "Patterns in culture", such as the Japanese preference for juxtaposing the new and the ancient, are contrasted with China's preference for discarding past institutions in revolutionary processes. The transferability of paradigms such as "absolutism" is accepted with some modifications. In the major descriptive part of the work, the history of economic, political, institutional modernization is presented on the basis of quotations from original Japanese (and Chinese) sources, arranged within the methodological framework of universal historical concepts, indigenous cultural patterns and specific conditions in both countries. The book is composed of two articles previously published in Japanese and Chinese, two new chapters written especially for the volume, and background information provided by Professor Radtke.

Contents: I. "Introduction," Robert E. Ward. II. "A Monarch for Modern Japan," John Whitney Hall. III. "Political Modernization and the Meiji Genro" Roger F. Hackett. IV. "Fukuzawa Yukichi: The Philosophical Foundations of Meiji Nationalism," Albert M. Craig. V. "Modernization and Foreign Policy in Meiji Japan," Marius B. Jansen. VI. "War and Modernization," Nobutaka Ike. VII. "Popular Political Participation and Political Development in Japan: The Rural Level," Kurt Steiner. VIII. "Elections and Political Modernization in Prewar Japan," Robert A. Scalapino. IX. "The Development of Interest Groups and the Pattern of Political Modernization in Japan," Takeshi Ishida. X. "Structural and Functional Differentiation in the Political Modernization of Japan," Bernard S. Silberman. XI. "Law and Political Modernization in Japan," Dan Fenno Henderson. XII. "Decision-Making in the Japanese Government: A Study of Ringisei" Kiyoaki Tsuji. XIII. "Reflections on the Allied Occupation and Planned Political Change in Japan," Robert E. Ward. XIV. "The Politics of Japan's Modernization: The Autonomy of Choice," Ardath W. Burks. XV. "Epilogue," Robert E. Ward. Index. Originally published in 1968. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

In this book social scientists scrutinize the middle decades of the nineteenth century in Japan. That scrutiny is important and overdue, for the period from the 1850s to the 1880s has usually been treated in terms of politics and foreign relations. Yet those decades were also of pivotal importance in Japan's institutional modernization. As the Japanese entered the world order, they experienced a massive introduction of Western-style organizations. Sweeping reforms, without the class violence or the Utopian appeal of revolution, created the foundation for a modern society. The Meiji Restoration introduced a political transformation, but these chapters address the more gradual social transition. Originally published in 1986. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Concentrating on a key neglected aspect of the modernization process in Japan during the Meiji era, this volume treats in depth the assistance given to the Meiji regime by foreign visitors. One contribution takes a fresh look at the Meiji modernizers who constitute the ancestors of the tightly knit establishment that guides the contemporary super-power. Somewhat more neglected in previous studies on this period are the foreign visitors who were present in Japan both to witness the changes and to assist the Japanese in the transition to modernity.Clark L. Beck is librarian for the William elliot Griffs Collection, Rutgers University Libraries. Ardath W. Burks is professor emeritus of Asian Studies and former director of International Programs, Rutgers University.

Dealing with the extraordinary economic modernization that has been taking place in Japan since 1868, this is a study of Japan's historical opportunities and the human responses that have molded the vigor of her development. The first half of the book concentrates on the Meiji Era, 1868-1911, when the foundations of modern industrial society and the modem state were being created. The second half focuses on Japan since World War II. The sixteen authors who have contributed to this volume represent much of the best informed scholarship on the economic factors of Japanese modernization. Originally published in 1965. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.