Economic success in Japan has been attributed to the existence of harmonious labour-management relations. This book, first published in 1991, argues that this unique ‘culture of harmony’ was consciously invented and developed over the last century. A semi-bureaucratic organization called the Kyochokai was established in 1919 to meet the needs of an emerging industrial society. It took the lead in trying to define the values which would be suitable for a new Japanese-style industrial culture. The resulting ‘invented’ tradition has played an important role in the evolution and character of Japanese economic values and behaviour.

In this meticulously researched study, Sheldon Garon examines the evolution of Japan's governmental policies toward labor from the late nineteenth century to the present day, and he substantially revises prevailing views which depict relations between the Japanese state and labor simply in terms of suppression and mutual antagonism.

Japan is arguably today's most successful industrial economy, combining almost unprecedented affluence with social stability and apparent harmony. Japanese goods and cultural products are consumed all over the world, ranging from animated movies and computer games all the way through to cars, semiconductors, and management techniques. In many ways, Japan is an icon of the modern world, and yet it remains something of an enigma to many, who see it as a confusing montage of the alien and the familiar, the ancient and modern. The aim of this Very Short Introduction is to explode the myths and explore the reality of modern Japan - by taking a concise look at its history, economy, politics, and culture. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This set examines a vast range of topics covering all experiences of business and economics from across Asia. Dealing with early banking systems in China; the industrialisation of Korea and Taiwan; the evolution of Japanese business practices; economic development; protectionist policies; industrial investment; trade; tourism; and a host of other topics, the books collected here form a vital reference resource across a wide subject area.

The shifting balance of economic power away from Western Europe and the United States and towards East and Southeast Asia - firstly Japan, then the small 'Tiger' economies, and now the larger nations of Southeast Asia and China, the potential 'Dragons' - has provoked anger, dismay and a search for the 'secrets' of growth and for 'lessons' to be learned. The Rise of Asia brings together recent scholarship analysing the process of economic, social and political development in East and Southeast Asia from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day.