Why do Japanese women enjoy a high sense of well-being in a context of high inequality? Beyond the Gender Gap in Japan brings together researchers from across the social sciences to investigate this question. The authors analyze women’s values and the lived experiences at home, in the family, at work, in their leisure time, as volunteers, and in politics and policy-making. Their research shows that the state and firms have blurred “the public” and “the private” in postwar Japan, constraining individuals’ lives, and reveals the uneven pace of change in women’s representation in politics. Yet, despite these constraints, the increasing diversification in how people live and how they manage their lives demonstrates that some people are crafting a variety of individual solutions to structural problems. Covering a significant breadth of material, the book presents comprehensive findings that use a variety of research methods—public opinion surveys, in-depth interviews, a life history, and participant observation—and, in doing so, look beyond Japan’s perennially low rankings in gender equality indices to demonstrate the diversity underneath, questioning some of the stereotypical assumptions about women in Japan.
Changing Politics in Japan is a fresh and insightful account of the profound changes that have shaken up the Japanese political system and transformed it almost beyond recognition in the last couple of decades. Ikuo Kabashima-a former professor who is now Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture-and Gill Steel outline the basic features of politics in postwar Japan in an accessible and engaging manner. They focus on the dynamic relationship between voters and elected or nonelected officials and describe the shifts that have occurred in how voters respond to or control political elites and how officials both respond to, and attempt to influence, voters. The authors return time and again to the theme of changes in representation and accountability. Kabashima and Steel set out to demolish the still prevalent myth that Japanese politics are a stagnant set of entrenched systems and interests that are fundamentally undemocratic. In its place, they reveal a lively and dynamic democracy, in which politicians and parties are increasingly listening to and responding to citizens' needs and interests and the media and other actors play a substantial role in keeping democratic accountability alive and healthy. Kabashima and Steel describe how all the political parties in Japan have adapted the ways in which they attempt to organize and channel votes and argue that contrary to many journalistic stereotypes the government is increasingly acting in the "the interests of citizens"-the median voter's preferences.
In recent years there have been extensive statutory provisions in the area of trusts and change is still in the air. This book takes a practical look at the implications of these changes in the day-to-day administration of trusts.
After almost half a millennium, the Blade of the Gods has surfaced and by a quirk of fate woke its current guardian Terry Gulini, the human clockwork doll known as the Dark Harlequin, from his astral wanderings. When the Blade is stolen from one of its remote Jesuit missions in Mexico, the Catholic Church will stop at nothing to get it back. The Templar, the Church's covert organization acting as judge, jury, and executioner of the paranormal are sent to investigate and retrieve the Aztec artifact. But the Blade has set other powerful forces in motion. Like an evil beacon, the ancient blade draws other, even more deadly, mystical entities from the shadows that are closing in and will destroy anyone that stands between them and the powerful Blade of the Gods. Terry and his band of friends are caught in a fight for their lives against the unknown evil forces that plan to use the Blade to destroy the world. Faced with overwhelming odds, Terry must use all his otherworldly powers to save his new love Angelina and his comrades, and gain the time he needs to hide the Blade of the Gods where it will never be found. But when friends become enemies and enemies become friends, Terry places his trust in his gypsy allies Aurelia and Mikhail to keep his friends safe. The formidable gypsy bodyguards are put to the test while Terry's new-found friends Joe and Cheri find they must use their fledging psychic and magical powers to keep their band safe. Caught in a cruel, centuries-old game of ancient Gods and dark magic, the Dark Harlequin faces losing all he loves. Will Terry be able to protect them all from their unseen enemies, or will he be left again with nothing but blood and vengeance?
A fascinating look at the making of the Titanic in vivid, colorful detail. A skilled workforce of thousands spent years building the ship in a remarkable feat of design and engineering. From the engine room to the ball room, here is the story of the riveters, engineers, electricians, carpenters, cabinet makers, and artisans who designed, built, and fitted the “ship of dreams.”
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