NYU Press Japan's Pseudo-Democracy

Japan's legal and political system, enshrined in the 1947 Constitution and imposed on the Japanese people without their involvement during the U.S. occupation, is largely alien to its history and culture. Peter Herzog examines the effects of that foreign value system in this detailed and fascinating book, highlighting instances in such areas as the judiciary, human rights, minorities, religion and education, where abuse and exploitation of the law has taken on disturbing proportions at many levels of Japanese public life. Review "An insightful overview and synthesis of an important aspect of black women's history . . . A useful guide for exploring gender issues and black women's culture in myriad cities across the country."-Darlene Clark Hine, Michigan State University Synopsis Examines the effect of the utterly alien political system imposed on the Japanese during the American occupation in 1947, in such areas as the judiciary, human rights, minorities, religion, and education. Emphasizes areas where abuse and exploitation have been most rife, offering a fully documented From the Back Cover Japan's Legal and political system, enshrined in the 1947 Constitution and imposed on the Japanese people with limited consultation but without their involvement during the US Occupation, is largely alien to its history and culture. The author examines the effects of this 'foreign' value system in this detailed and fascinating book, highlighting instances in such areas as the judiciary, human rights, minorities, religion and education, where abuse and exploitation of the law has taken on disturbing proportions at many levels of Japanese public life. The chapter on scandals is not exhaustive but offers a fully documented account of the main post-war events, including the Showa Denko case, Lockheed and Recruit. About the Author Peter J. Herzog recieved is Ph.D. from Fordham University, New York. He has taught at Sophia University (Jochi Daigaku), Tokyo, worked in the Research Division of the Fuji Bank, and wrritten numerous books and articles.