Routledge Companion to Contemporary Japanese Social Theory: From Individualization to Globalization in Japan Today

This benchmark book breaks new ground in providing a detailed, systematic appraisal of the major traditions of social theory prominent in Japan today from theories of identity and individualization to globalization studies. The aim of the volume is to introduce readers to the rich diversity of social-theoretical critique in contemporary Japanese social theory. The editors have brought together some of the most influential Japanese social scientists to assess current trends in Japanese social theory, as well as authoritative Western social theorists including among others Axel Honneth, Roland Robertson, Bryan S. Turner, Charles Lemert and Anthony Elliott to reflect on such developments. The result is an exciting, powerful set of intellectual exchanges. Social theories are introduced, contextualized and critiqued in the broader context of Japanese society, culture and politics with particular emphasis upon Japanese engagements and revisions of major traditions of social thought. The book is divided into two sections: the first section surveys traditions of social thought in Japanese social science; and the second section surveys major social issues facing contemporary Japan. Among the approaches to social theory covered in the first section of the book are phenomenology, critical theory, psychoanalysis, structuralism and post-structuralism, and risk analysis. The second section of the book examines major social issues including self, identity and individualization; feminism and post-feminism; networks, communication and culture; postmodern Japan; and globalization.