Molding Japanese Minds

by Sheldon Garon

How has the Japanese government persuaded its citizens to save substantial portions of their incomes? And to care for the elderly within the family? How did the public come to support legalized prostitution as in the national interest? What roles have women's groups played in Japan's "economic miracle"? What actually unites the Japanese to achieve so many economic and social goals that have eluded other polities? Here Sheldon Garon helps us to understand this mobilizing spirit as he taps into the intimate relationships everyday Japanese have with their government. To an extent inconceivable to most Westerners, state directives trickle into homes, religious groups, and even into individuals' sex lives, where they are frequently welcomed by the Japanese and reinforced by their neighbors. In a series of five compelling case studies, Garon demonstrates how average citizens have cooperated with government officials in the areas of welfare, prostitution, and household savings, and in controlling religious "cults" and promoting the political participation of women.

The state's success in creating a nation of activists began before World War II, and has hinged on campaigns that mobilize the people behind various policies and encourage their involvement at the local level. For example, neighborhoods have been socially managed on a volunteer basis by small-business owners and housewives, who strive to rid their locales of indolence and to contain welfare costs. The story behind the state regulation of prostitution is a more turbulent one in which many lauded the flourishing brothels for preserving Japanese tradition and strengthening the "family system," while others condemned the sexual enslavement of young women.

In each case, we see Japanese citizens working closely with the state to recreate "community" and shape the thought and behavior of fellow citizens. The policies often originate at the top, but in the hands of activists they take on added vigor. This phenomenon, which challenges the conventional dichotomy of the "state" versus the "people," is well worth exploring as Western governments consider how best to manage their own changing societies.

Genres: Japan, History, Japanese History, Nonfiction, World History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Alice Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very useful to understanding historical stereotypes, but its really badly written, took me ages to read one chapter.
Garon is an excellent Japanese historian over the postwar period, but not a talented writer

[Benemint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like his argument and could not agree with him more, but the selection of cases starts to appear unfair in the postwar section. The thesis is the social management through informal channels, but there have been more 'formal channels' like medical insurance and public schools. How does it complicate his argument?

[Jessica Zu · Rating 4 out of 5]

only read assigned chapters. pretty awesome writing and in-depth research. I'm troubled by the amazing similarities between Japanese gov & KMT->CCP in China ... social management seems to be a Confucian legacy ... scary

[Danlin Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I expected the book to be a bit more Foucauldian. But the concept of Japan's "social management", and its lineage from pre-war to post-war periods -- which means that the common notion of a historical break that is WWII introduces some problems when interpreting present-day social phenomena in Japan-- are indeed interesting.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the emergence and success of Japanese social management practice and institutions.

[Josh Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garon argues persuasively against the liberal civil society/oppressive state dichotomy of pre-1945 Japan, showing how civil society groups made tactical allegiances with the state that resulted in further regimentation and bureaucratic control over daily life. His examples are varied, including social welfare programs, religious organizations, prostitution, and women's rights movements.