"In this incisive, comprehensive political economy of the Japanese health care system, Campbell and Ikegami have brought clarity to a complex, often misunderstood subject. With even-handedness, the mechanisms of policy making and its implementation are systematically explicated, revealing an abiding fidelity to egalitarianism on the part of the Japanese. Written with lucidity, this is essential reading, not only for health economists and policy makers, but for everyone seeking to broaden their knowledge of Japanese culture." Margaret Lock, McGill University

• Preface; 1. Low health care spending in Japan; 2. Actors, arenas, and agendas in health policy making; 3. Health care providers; 4. The egalitarian health insurance system; 5. The macropolicy of cost containment; 6. The micropolicy of cost containment; 7. The quality problem; 8. Lessons?; 9. Notes.

"In this incisive, comprehensive political economy of the Japanese health care system, Campbell and Ikegami have brought clarity to a complex, often misunderstood subject. With even-handedness, the mechanisms of policy making and its implementation are systematically explicated, revealing an abiding fidelity to egalitarianism on the part of the Japanese. Written with lucidity, this is essential reading, not only for health economists and policy makers, but for everyone seeking to broaden their knowledge of Japanese culture." Margaret Lock, McGill University

• Preface; 1. Low health care spending in Japan; 2. Actors, arenas, and agendas in health policy making; 3. Health care providers; 4. The egalitarian health insurance system; 5. The macropolicy of cost containment; 6. The micropolicy of cost containment; 7. The quality problem; 8. Lessons?; 9. Notes.

"In this incisive, comprehensive political economy of the Japanese health care system, Campbell and Ikegami have brought clarity to a complex, often misunderstood subject. With even-handedness, the mechanisms of policy making and its implementation are systematically explicated, revealing an abiding fidelity to egalitarianism on the part of the Japanese. Written with lucidity, this is essential reading, not only for health economists and policy makers, but for everyone seeking to broaden their knowledge of Japanese culture." Margaret Lock, McGill University

• Preface; 1. Low health care spending in Japan; 2. Actors, arenas, and agendas in health policy making; 3. Health care providers; 4. The egalitarian health insurance system; 5. The macropolicy of cost containment; 6. The micropolicy of cost containment; 7. The quality problem; 8. Lessons?; 9. Notes.