ISBN: 9780691001913

""Molding Japanese Minds" shows how extensively and consistently the modern Japanese state has sought to manage social behavior. As with any superb work of history, one finishes this book… More...

""Molding Japanese Minds" shows how extensively and consistently the modern Japanese state has sought to manage social behavior. As with any superb work of history, one finishes this book with a renewed appreciation of the complexity of the human condition, for this is not a simple story of control from the top. Sheldon Garon's important contribution is to show us how social groups and individuals who were supposed to be on the receiving end of state policy often joined forces with political officials in ways that confound simple division between state and society."--Andrew Gordon, Harvard University""Molding Japanese Minds" provides the best discussion I have seen of the intricate relationship between Japanese state institutions ad civil society. It covers one hundred years of moral suasion campaigns by the Japanese government on matters of gender, sexuality, welfare, and religion, casting doubt throughout on the utility of any conventional dichotomy between 'state' and 'society.' It thereby helps us to think in more creative ways about the complex social evolution of modern Japan."--T. J. Pempel, University of Washington"Sheldon Garon does exactly what needs to be done in the field of modern Japanese history: he focuses on the most important agency of the prewar Japanese developmental state, namely, the Ministry of Home Affairs. His case studies are marvelously done, magnificently researched, and very provocative."--Chalmers Johnson, Japan Policy Research Institute Media > Book, [PU: Princeton University Press]<