Japan's Failed Revolution: Koizumi and the Politics of Economic Reform

by Aurelia George Mulgan

In this study, Mulgan analyzes the reasons why, despite broad public support, Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi has not achieved the sweeping economic reforms he first proposed in April of 2001. She explains how Japan's traditional policymaking process has thwarted the Prime Minister's best intentions and contends that revolutionary political change is necessary before Japan's economic recovery can begin. Mulgan teaches at the U. of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy. Distributed in the U.S. by ISBS. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Luke Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant insight into the practice of politics in 1990-2000s Japan, and a the associated difficulty of reform. Mulgan wrote contemporaneously with Koizumi's faltering leadership, which makes the depth of insight and the reach of prediction doubly impressive. Enjoyable, accessible and important for political scientists, policy economists and Japan scholars.