Why Japan Matters

Why Japan Matters: A Foreign Perspective

This book, Why Japan Matters: A Foreign Perspective, focuses on cultural exchange, particularly how cultural programs can bridge gaps and foster mutual understanding between different cultures. The educational value of this book is significant. It incorporates historical influences, social developments, and contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japan, whether for academic purposes or personal interest. The structure of the book is designed to engage and guide readers through various themes and topics seamlessly. Each chapter builds on the previous one, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative that keeps readers invested in the journey. Practical insights, case studies, personal stories, and concrete examples illustrate how cultural understanding can be achieved and why it matters. These elements provide readers with a real-world context, making the information presented not only informative but also applicable.

The Business Reinvention of Japan

Japan's Sea Lane Security

This is the first major English-language study to explore the broad and longstanding connections between Japan’s national security and the safety of its sea lanes. Tracing issues from pre-and post-1945 eras, the book explores how Japan’s concerns with sea lane protection have developed across such diverse fields as military strategy, diplomacy, trade policy, energy security, and law enforcement. Drawing upon case study material and primary research including interviews with officials and security analysts, the book presents a chronological analysis of Japan’s sea lane security. While Japan’s security policies have recently undergone relatively rapid change, a historical treatment of sea lane security issues reveals long-term continuity in security policymakers’ perceptions and responses regarding Japan's defence and foreign policy. Revealing a neglected but important aspect of Japan’s military and economic security, the book investigates why officials and analysts continue to portray the defence of Japan’s sea lanes as ‘a matter of life and death’.