Nathaniel B. Thayer

How the Conservatives Rule Japan

Dr. Thayer, who was American press attach in Tokyo from 1962 to 1965, presents a detailed account of conservative politics in Japan. Although he makes some historical comparisons, Dr. Thayers main focus is on the contemporary workings of the Liberal Democratic Party, the ruling party in Japan. He identifies the political elements: the men are the Dietmen, the bureaucrats, the businessmen, the regional politicians, and the people; the institutions are the factions, the regional organizations of the Dietmen, the economic community and the various party organs. He shows how these elements work: how the Prime Minister is elected, how the cabinet is chosen, how party and government posts are filled, how policy is made, how a political decision is reached, and how the party is run. Contents: I. Introduction.; II. The Factions.; III. The Economic Community.; IV. The Party, the Prefectures, and the People.; V. The Elections.; VI. Choosing the President.; VII. Making a Cabinet.; VIII. Formulating Policy.; IX. Reaching a Decision.; X. Running the Party.; XI. Conclusions.; Index. Originally published in 1969. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Japanese Attitudes Toward the United States

The Japanese look within themselves to find the causes of the Pacific War (1937-45). They have discovered an inner-directed nationalism that exalts conformity and ethnicity. Impressed with the high-mindedness of the Americans, who placed reform over rehabilitation in their occupation of Japan, determined not to go to war again, the Japanese have submerged their nationalism within a pro-Americanism. That state of affairs will continue so long as America seeks peace, looks outward, honors diversity, and lives up to its ideals.

The Japanese Power Elite.

List of Figures - List of Tables - Preface - List of Abbreviations - Japanese Expressions Used - Society and Power in Japan - PART 1: THE POLITICAL ELITE - The Liberal Democratic Party: Structure and Factions - Political Careers - Legitimacy Crises - PART 2: THE BUREAUCRATIC ELITE - The Civil Service System - Government Operations - Elite Civil Servants - PART 3: THE BUSINESS ELITE - The Keiretsu Business Conglomerates - Zaikai: The Organization of Big Business Interests - Executive Careers - PART 4: CONCLUSION - Elite Mobility and Elite Rule - References - Bibliography - Index