MacArthur's Japanese Constitution [Hardcover]

Kyoko Inoue (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226383911 | ISBN-13: 978-0226383910 | Publication Date: February 1, 1991 | Edition: 1

The Japanese constitution as revised by General MacArthur in 1946, while generally regarded to be an outstanding basis for a liberal democracy, is at the same time widely considered to be—in its Japanese form—an document which is alien and incompatible with Japanese culture. Using both linguistics and historical data, Kyoto Inoue argues that despite the inclusion of alien concepts and ideas, this constitution is nonetheless fundamentally a Japanese document that can stand on its own.

"This is an important book. . . . This is the most significant work on postwar Japanese constitutional history to appear in the West. It is highly instructive about the century-long process of cultural conflict in the evolution of government and society in modern Japan."—Thomas W. Burkman, Monumenta Nipponica

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Japanese

Product Details

• Hardcover: 386 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226383911
• ISBN-13: 978-0226383910
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,181,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to explain the existing cultural difference, February 9, 2000

By 

Kenichiro Muranaka - See all my reviews

This review is from: MacArthur's Japanese Constitution (Hardcover)

A major impact of this book is Inoue's explanation on dignity of individuals that for Japanese are not well consistent with American values. Japanese in general are afraid of expressing individuality (kosei) as such can be subjected to the bullying (ijime) by fellow Japanese in a group--be it shcool or workplace. This is a main reason why skipping the grades in school are not usually allowed in Japanese education system. In Japan, if you are too good, you will be bullied.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A sad tribute to MacArthur, May 17, 2003

By 

Concerned Citizen "generaljoeschinesefood" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MacArthur's Japanese Constitution (Hardcover)

I gave this book a chance, but in the end the inconsistencies and generalities plaguing this book were simply too much. Not only is it written in substandard English, but it also makes the flawed argument that the Japanese constitution, as it stands now, is sufficiently "Japanese" to justify its remaning unaltered. This is wrong and most educated and academic Japanese see the obvious need to pen the constitution by native and elected Japanese officials. The U.S. effort in Japan was intended as merely one to provide guidance and a framework for Japan, not as one to strip them of autonomy. Japan now realizes the distinct need to rewrite the constitution in its own words and through its own understanding and should do so. Ms. Inoue's case is colored through the lens of an ex-Japanese who has disowned her own culture and country to espouse the values of the U.S. While it may not be p.c. to say this, Japanese who still remain patriotic to their country should be the ones making the decision of how to handle their constitution, not someone who has disowned her country.