Blueprint for a New Japan: The Rethinking of a Nation [Hardcover]

Ichiro Ozawa (Author), Louisa Rubinfein (Translator), Jay Rockefeller (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994

A must read for businessmen and Japan watchers, this official version of the political bombshell translated privately by the CIA is the incisive and unprecedented one-man political manifesto of the former secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic party. "Far reaching".--Henry Kissinger.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A bestseller in Japan, this sweeping manifesto sets forth a bold blueprint for the transformation of that country's economy, society and polity. Ozawa, leader of the Japan Renewal Party, was the main strategist behind the coalition government that took power last year, ending 38 years of conservative rule. He outlines steps to foster a two-party system and to strengthen the authority of the prime minister and cabinet, thereby shifting power from bureaucratic officials to politicians. He advocates that Japan play a more active role in international affairs, including U.N. military operations, and make a greater commitment to environmental protection and foreign aid. Japan, Ozawa stresses, should open its markets to foreign competition and work with the U.S. to promote global free trade. He would also privatize public corporations, reduce work hours, promote the participation of women in the workplace, revamp a conformist educational system and decentralize power, population and resources away from Tokyo. Ozawa's analysis will interest policymakers, business executives and Japan-watchers.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ozawa is one of the political leaders who masterminded the 1993 fall from power of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, which had dominated the government since 1955. In this book, widely read in Japan, he spells out his ideas for a broadly based reform of Japanese political and social life, intended to revolutionize his country in the years ahead. Concentrating on three main areas (political reform, Japan's role in international affairs, and the reform of Japanese society), Ozawa argues for what amounts to revolutionary new directions in all three areas, ranging from the decentralizing of Japan's highly centralized political system, to a more active and dynamic Japanese role in international peacekeeping efforts, to the engendering of greater individualism and independent thinking among his country's citizenry. Both for Ozawa's provocative ideas and because of his influential status, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary Japan.
Scott Wright, Univ. of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN); 1st edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770018711
• ISBN-13: 978-4770018717
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,950,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and challenging ideas to reform Japan, November 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blueprint for a New Japan: The Rethinking of a Nation (Hardcover)

Mr. Ozawa details a variety of ideas to reform and modernize Japan's economy, political system, and society. He advocates more freedom (and responsibility) for the lives of all Japanese. He thinks the government patronizes the citizenry and treats them like dependent children. Mr. Ozawa believes that the Japanese people should be given more freedom to decide how to live their lives. However, he emphasizes that more freedom will require individual citizens to take responsibility for their own fate.