Education Reform in Japan: A Case of Immobilist Politics(Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies)

The Japanese education system is widely praised as a model to be emulated in western countries. In Japan, however, the system is widely criticised for its strict uniformity and for its supposed failure to train the creative minds needed for the next stage of economic advance. Twice since 1967 the Japanese government had embarked on, but then failed to see through, major reform initiatives. This book explains why the reform attempts have failed. The failure lies, the author shows, in the inability of bureaucrats, party leaders and politicians to agree. Moreover, the author goes on to argue, when these rifts develop the Japanese policy-making process becomes strangely paralysed, with no way of breaking the impasse. This immobilism', the author argues, is not confined to education reform, but afflicts other aspects of Japanese policy-making.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction and Theoretical Background 2. Background to the Recent Debate 3. Internal Actors: The Liberal Democratic Party 4. Internal Actors: The Bureaucracy 5. External Actors: Incorporated Interests 6. External Actors: Opposition Groups

Review :
`This is a thoroughly researched and solid piece of work... it is well argued and gives a clear picture of the issues and problems together with some fascinating detail... This book deserves to be studied not only by those interested in Japanese education but also by students of the Japanese political system.' - Sir Hugh Cortazzi, Proceedings of the Japan Society `The author's conceptual framework is original and is presented in a logical, straightforward and remarkably lucid manner. The data with which he supports his views in each chapter are informative, well-balanced and recent.' - American Political Science Review `...anyone seriously interested in Japanese society and its institutions needs to carefully read this excellent book.' - Monumenta Nipponica `A remarkably lucid, skeletal review of Japan's postwar educational history.' - Journal of Asian Studies `It is a book that does deserve to be widely read...' Richard Tames, Times Educational Supplement `... It is a book that does deserve to be widely read...' Richard Tames, Times Educational Supplement `This is a thoroughly researched and solid piece of work... it is well argued and gives a clear picture of the issues and problems together with some fascinating detail... This book deserves to be studied not only by those interested in Japanese education but also by students of the Japanese political system.' - Sir Hugh Cortazzi, Proceedings of the Japan Society `... a scholarly and well-written book.' - Times Higher Education Supplement