New Books from Japan #13: "A Social History of Modern Japan: Social Groups and a Market Economy, 1868-1914"

Presenter: 松沢裕作 (Matsuzawa Yusaku, Keio University)

Discussant: Marnie Anderson (Smith College)

Moderator: 池田真歩 (Ikeda Maho, Tokyo Metropolitan University)

Here lie the foundations of contemporary Japanese society. From the late nineteenth century, when the status order of early modern Japan began to collapse, through the Meiji Restoration, and up to World War I, this book portrays Japanese society by focusing on how various social groups engaged with the market. It also examines media, political institutions, and movements for change to offer a comprehensive picture.

現代日本社会の原型がここに。近世の身分制社会が崩れる19世紀後半から，明治維新を挟んで，第一次世界大戦の頃までの日本社会を，さまざまな社会集団が市場とどうかかわっているかに注目して描き出す。メディアや政治のしくみ，変革を求める運動も取り上げ，社会の全体像をとらえる。