Semua fakta mengejutkan tadi dibahas seru di buku ini. Penulis yang sudah lama tinggal di Jepang menuliskan keterkejutan apapun yang ia temui selama tinggal di negeri sakura itu. Ia menunjukkan bahwa Jepang itu tidak hanya sakura, gunung Fuji, dan shusi. Jadi? Siap-siaplah terheran-heran, tertawa-tawa, dan shock. [Mizan, Bentang, Traveling, Indonesia] Seri Kisah Perjalanan Bentang
When nerve gas was dispersed in Tokyo's subway system in March 1995, Japanese and non-Japanese alike were shocked. Wasn't Japan supposed to be an orderly, peaceful, and above all safe society with virtually no crime? Not so. Mark Schreiber dispels this stereotype with a fascinating book in which he chronicles some of Japan's most astonishing crimes in the half-century since World War II: a bank robbery and murder in which the killings are carried out by poison; the theft of 300 million yen by a man who is able to peacefully convince four bank employees to step outside of their car for a moment; and, of course, the outrageous activities of Japan's most notorious religious group, AUM Supreme Truth. The social and cultural circumstances attending many of the crimes are equally bizarre, and Schreiber addresses these, as well. Why did Okubo Kiyoshi's rape victims continue meeting him for dates after he violated them? How did Japanese ethics step in, when the evidence didn't stand on its own, to condemn Miura Kazuyoshi for killing his wife? Why did none of the journalists recording the murder of Nagano Kazuo try to intervene to try to save his life?
A LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITOR'S CHOICE • Bestselling author Richard Reeves provides an authoritative account of the internment of more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans and Japanese aliens during World War II Less than three months after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and inflamed the nation, President Roosevelt signed an executive order declaring parts of four western states to be a war zone operating under military rule. The U.S. Army immediately began rounding up thousands of Japanese-Americans, sometimes giving them less than 24 hours to vacate their houses and farms. For the rest of the war, these victims of war hysteria were imprisoned in primitive camps. In Infamy, the story of this appalling chapter in American history is told more powerfully than ever before. Acclaimed historian Richard Reeves has interviewed survivors, read numerous private letters and memoirs, and combed through archives to deliver a sweeping narrative of this atrocity. Men we usually consider heroes-FDR, Earl Warren, Edward R. Murrow-were in this case villains, but we also learn of many Americans who took great risks to defend the rights of the internees. Most especially, we hear the poignant stories of those who spent years in "war relocation camps," many of whom suffered this terrible injustice with remarkable grace. Racism, greed, xenophobia, and a thirst for revenge: a dark strand in the American character underlies this story of one of the most shameful episodes in our history. But by recovering the past, Infamy has given voice to those who ultimately helped the nation better understand the true meaning of patriotism.
CultureShock!is a dynamic, indispensable series of guides for travellers who want to truly understand the countries they are visiting, working in or moving to. Each title explains the country's customs, traditions and social and business etiquette in a lively, informative style. CultureShock!authors, all of whom have experienced the joys and pitfalls of cultural adaptation, are ideally placed to provide warm and informative advice to those who seek to integrate seamlessly into diverse cultures. Each CultureShock!book contains- insights into local culture and traditions advice on adapting into the local environment help with language and communication tips on how to get the most out of your travel experience CultureShock! Japanwill guide you through the confusion you will inevitably feel when visiting or working in Japan. As with adapting to any new culture, there are numerous things to learn and be aware of. Learn about Japanese culture, the pressure of 'keeping face' and how to bow correctly in two easy steps. Discover the do's and don'ts when dining at someone's home; find out more about Japanese food and learn the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. Also included is practical information to ease your stay. Take note of tips on how to 'bargain' when shopping and what to expect from Japanese herbal medicine. So whether you require information on office etiquette or where to find a hot spring, CultureShock! Japancovers it all, everything to make your cultural transition a pleasurable one.
In an era of irregular labor, nagging recession, nuclear contamination, and a shrinking population, Japan is facing precarious times. How the Japanese experience insecurity in their daily and social lives is the subject of Precarious Japan. Tacking between the structural conditions of socioeconomic life and the ways people are making do, or not, Anne Allison chronicles the loss of home affecting many Japanese, not only in the literal sense but also in the figurative sense of not belonging. Until the collapse of Japan's economic bubble in 1991, lifelong employment and a secure income were within reach of most Japanese men, enabling them to maintain their families in a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. Now, as fewer and fewer people are able to find full-time work, hope turns to hopelessness and security gives way to a pervasive unease. Yet some Japanese are getting by, partly by reconceiving notions of home, family, and togetherness.
This cutting edge collection examines Japan’s population issue, exploring how declining demographic trends are affecting Japan’s social structure, specifically in the context of Greater Tokyo, life infrastructure, public finance and the economy. Considering the failures of past Japanese policies from the perspective of population, national land, and politics, it argues that the inability of past administrations to develop a long-term and comprehensive policy has exacerbated the population crisis. This text identifies key negative chain reactions that have stemmed from this policy failure, notably the effect of population decline on future economic growth and public finances and the impact of shrinking municipalities on social and community infrastructure to support quality of life. It also highlights how population decline can precipitate inter-generational conflict, and impact on the strength of the state and more widely on Japan’s international status. Japan is on the forefront of the population problem, which is expected to affect many of the world’s advanced industrial economies in the 21st century. Based on the study of policy failures, this book makes recommendations for effective population policy – covering both ‘mitigation’ measures to encourage a recovery in the depopulation process as well as ‘adaptation’ measures to maintain and improve living standards – and provides key insights into dealing with the debilitating effects of population decline.
The papers assembled here share the dual conviction that (1) understanding the lineaments of Japanese modernity entails an appreciation of the specific forms of distinctions, discriminations and exclusions constitutive of it; (2) that the socio-economic-political fractures increasingly visible under conditions of late modernity reveal the precarious nature of the making of modernity in Japan. Bringing together a group of critical intellectuals, mostly based in Japan with long-standing political commitments to groups emblematic of modern Japan’s constitutive outside - inorities, migrants, foreigners, victims of the Fukushima disaster, welfare recipients among others this collection of essays aims to draw attention to processes of ‘making and unmaking’ that constellate Japanese modernity. Unlike previous attempts, however, devoted to destabilizing positivist/culturalist approaches to a post-war ‘miracle’ Japan via a critical post-structural theoretical vocabulary and episteme, the essays gathered here aim principally to examine traces of the making of modern Japan in the fissures and displacements visible at sites of modernity’s unmaking. Deploying a range of theoretical approaches, rather than a commitment to any single framework, the essays that follow aim to locate contemporary Japan and the ravages of its modernity within a wider critical discourse of modernity.
This study introduces the concepts of naturalization and naturalized modernity, and uses them as tools for understanding the way modernity has been experienced and portrayed in Japanese literature since the end of the Second World War. Special emphasis is given to four leading post-war writers – Kawabata Yasunari, Abe Kobo, Murakami Haruki and Murakami Ryu. The author argues that notions of ‘shock’ in modern city life in Japan (as exemplified in the writings of Walter Benjamin and George Simmel), while present in the work of older Japanese writers, do not appear to hold true in much contemporary Japanese literature: it is as if the ‘shock’ impact of change has evolved as a ‘naturalized’ or ‘Japanized’ process. The author focuses on the implications of this phenomenon, both in the context of the theory of modernity and as an opportunity to reevaluate the works of his chosen writers.
Discover the captivating secrets and awe-inspiring wonders of Japan with "Japan's Hidden Gems: 100 Surprising Facts About the Land of the Rising Sun That Will Blow Your Mind." This extraordinary book takes you on an unforgettable journey through the rich history, vibrant culture, and fascinating traditions of one of the world's most enigmatic nations. Uncover the truth behind the mysterious samurai warriors, learn about the incredible health benefits of Japanese cuisine, and be amazed by the mind-boggling innovations that have shaped Japan's past and present. With each turn of the page, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate tapestry of customs, beliefs, and accomplishments that make Japan truly unique. Here are just a few of the 100 remarkable facts you'll find inside: The Jōmon period (c. 14,000–300 BCE) marked the beginning of Japanese civilization, with hunter-gatherers creating intricate pottery designs that laid the foundation for Japan's rich artistic tradition. These early inhabitants subsisted on a diet of fish, wild plants, and game, and their pottery, known as Jōmon ware, is considered some of the oldest in the world. The arrival of Buddhism in Japan from Korea in 538 CE, during the Asuka period (538–710), had a profound impact on Japanese culture, art, and politics. Buddhism quickly gained popularity among the ruling class, leading to the construction of numerous temples and the creation of breathtaking Buddhist art. The Heian period (794–1185) is often considered the pinnacle of classical Japanese culture. With the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyō (present-day Kyoto) in 794, this era saw the flourishing of art, literature, and poetry amid the elegant court life of the imperial city. The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu during this period, is celebrated as a masterpiece of world literature. The Tokugawa shogunate implemented the policy of sakoku (closed country) in 1639, which limited foreign interaction and banned Christianity in an effort to maintain stability and control. This policy, which remained in effect for over 200 years, had a profound impact on Japanese society, fostering a unique cultural identity and contributing to the country's isolation from the rest of the world. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the beginning of a new era in Japanese history. Driven by a desire to modernize the country, Japan adopted Western technology, institutions, and ideas while seeking to preserve its own cultural identity. This period set Japan on the path to becoming a modern, industrialized nation. "Japan's Hidden Gems" is not just a collection of fascinating facts; it's a celebration of the indomitable spirit and resourcefulness of the Japanese people. Through vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling, this book brings Japan's past and present to life, offering a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped this remarkable nation. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply curious about the world around you, "Japan's Hidden Gems" is an essential guide to uncovering the secrets and surprises of Japan. Don't miss your chance to embark on this incredible journey – get your copy today and prepare to be amazed! With 100 mind-blowing facts packed into its pages, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge and insight that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the Land of the Rising Sun. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Japan and discover the hidden gems that make this country truly extraordinary.
