Amazon.com: Japan's Zombie Politics: A Tragedy in Four Parts (9789579567787): Hajime Fujiwara, translator Scott Wilbur, Yababa Yeh: Books

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Product Description

Though still the world's number-two economy, the Rising Sun is setting because of political incompetence and corruption. Japanese politics today is controlled by zombies. The Liberal Democratic Party, which did whatever it wanted in its fifty-year monopoly on Japanese politics, was in it last throes at the end of the twentieth century. But with the inauguration of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro and his zombie cohorts in 2001, this party has come back from the dead. Under Koizumi and his likely successors, Japan is showing ominous signs of neo-fascism.

About the Author

Born in Tokyo, Hajime (Jim) Fujiwara received a Doctorate in Structural Geology from France's University of Grenoble. Dr. Fujiwara is an internationally renowned political commentator, with experience interpreting the power of economy and civilization. His a frequent contributor to many journals in Japan and is the author of more than forty Jaanese books.

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3.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint-hearted, July 1, 2008

By	Joe Beecham (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

When one thinks of Japan, more often than not, it conjures up the image of a strong, powerful and stable industrialised nation. This book brings to light however, many of the unknown behind-the-scenes political plots, hidden scandals, and an extensive outline of political Japanese family history. It is perhaps the first book of its kind to so concisely and chronologically follow the dark inner-workings of a perceived smooth journey to where Japan stands proud today.

The book reads like a Tolstoy novel with so the introduction of many characters that cause much confusion to an English-reading audience due to the multitude of unfamiliar Japanese names. However, the juicy scandalous stories unravel one by one, as the plot thickens and the reader is left shocked and engaged by the continuous turn of events.

Dr. Fujiwara's opinions and disdain for Prime Minister Koizumi (who was still in power at the time of publication) and others in the Japanese administration are by no means subtle throughout the book. In fact one might say that some of his character analyses of Japanese politicians are bordering at times, on emotional. Given Dr. Fujiwara's extensive career as a political commentator anymand free-lance writer, the book exposes many insider facts and secrets that no one knows or has written about Japan--and therefore results in a valuable contribution for its honest, in-depth and insightful information on Japanese politics.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Japan's Zombie Politics, November 14, 2007

By	Michel Begin "MEB" (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Hajime Fujiwara offers his personal overview of the Koizumi Cabinets and criticizes their role in declining contemporary Japanese politics. The book details from a bystander's point of view the behind-the-scenes variables that help to explain the changes in recent Japanese politics. For example, party inbreeding and apparent alliances between large private companies and the government are discussed openly. Using provocative words at times, the author shows his passion for Japan and his disappointment in Japanese politicians not meeting his ideals for a greater Japan. He calls for more broadly educated politicians. His analysis illustrates that when you go beyond the appearances, the conventional story is different. Overall, the book is highly informative of modern Japan to a non-Japanese reader. It reads like a thriller. More, it provides food for thought in discussions about the effects of ultraconservative politics on ordinary citizens.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fujiwara Hajime/Japan's Zombie Politics, September 3, 2007

By	Juha M. Saunavaara - See all my reviews

Despite the struggling of the current Abe government has recently attracted much public interest, the need for critical analysis of the preceding era of the Koizumi administration has not disappeared. The years under the Koizumi Cabinets have certainly contributed to significant changes in Japanese politics, be it through the SDF's dispatch to Iraq, or the heavy-handed privatization of Japan Post. Fujiwara Hajime's "Japan's Zombie Politics" offers a fresh and unconventional view of the modern Japanese Politics thus explaining the various behind-the-scenes variables having an unexpected effects on the initial decision-making process.

The author has engrossed in a topic with passion which in places leads to a use of extreme vocabulary. These seemingly unnecessary excesses do not, however, strip away the main contribution of the book. Open, extensive and critical discussion regarding the contemporary Japanese politics needs openings that are ready to challenge deep-rooted conventions. Despite few flaws in the style and argumentation, Fujiwara's contribution as an opener of discussion is noticeable.