Transnational Critique of Japaneseness

Yuko Kawai is professor in the College of Intercultural Communication at Rikkyo University.

What does being Japanese mean? This simple question has no clear answer. Kawai takes a multipronged approach to finding an ontological resolution to this existential concern. Through concise examinations of a variety of texts, the author explores the construction of Japanese identity through internal and external means. She explains her relatively narrow presentation of samples by defining them as “snapshots” that provide insights into attitudes and beliefs, allowing for greater depth of analysis.... Defying the East/West paradigm, this insightful book provides the tools to understand Japan as a multicultural entity. Recommended.

• Introduction: A Transnational Critique for a Multiculturalist Japan Chapter 1: Japaneseness, Western and Japanese Concepts of Race, and Modalities of Racism Chapter 2: Neoliberal Nationalism and Japaneseness Chapter 3: Remembering Japanese Americans and Japanese Brazilians for Japaneseness Chapter 4: Using China and Korea for Japaneseness: “Hate Books,” History, and the Grammar of Japanese Racialized Discourse Chapter 5: Entering the West and Encountering Asia: Trans-East Asian Friendships Made in the West