University of California Press Political Culture of Japan: Volume 11 (Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley)

The Political Culture of Japan delves into the evolving political attitudes of the Japanese populace in the postwar period, focusing on the influence of democratization efforts introduced during the American occupation. This study aims to document the shifts in mass political attitudes rather than elite or group behaviors, offering a lens into the broader impacts of societal and institutional upheavals. By comparing prewar and postwar political cultures, the author sheds light on how democratic reforms have reshaped public opinion and contributed to Japan's modern political framework. Relying on nearly 300 public opinion surveys conducted between 1958 and 1967, the book identifies general trends and patterns that capture the transformation of Japan’s political landscape during a pivotal era. A central theme of the book is the contrast between the fragmented understanding of prewar political culture and the more systematic evaluation of postwar attitudes. The author carefully critiques the limitations of available historical data while using comparative insights from surveys to bridge this gap. By emphasizing methodological rigor and the significance of longitudinal patterns, the study not only provides a nuanced understanding of Japan's political evolution but also contributes to broader discussions on mass attitudinal changes in societies undergoing rapid democratization. This work serves as a valuable resource for scholars of political science and Japanese history, illuminating the enduring influence of societal reforms on political behavior. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.