Keiko Hirata – författare

A well-rounded, well-informed critique of the Pacific island nation of Japan, its society, economy, demography, and politicsFollowing a crushing defeat in World War II, Japan rose like a phoenix from the literal ashes to become a model of modernity and success, for decades Asia’s premier economic giant. Yet it remains a nation hobbled by rigid gender roles, protectionist policies, and a defensive, inflexible corporate system that has helped bring about political and economic stagnation. The unique social cohesion that enabled Japan to cope with adversity and develop swiftly has also encouraged isolationism, given rise to an arrogant and inflexible bureaucracy, and prevented the country from addressing difficult issues. Its culture of hard work—in fact, overwork—is legendary, but a declining population and restrictions on opportunity threaten the nation’s future.  Keiko Hirata and Mark Warschauer have combined thoroughly researched deep analysis with engaging anecdotal material in this enlightening portrait of modern-day Japan, creating an honest and accessible critique that addresses issues from the economy and politics to immigration, education, and the increasing alienation of Japanese youth.

This edited volume offers international perspectives on managing the escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan.The book examines responses of key stakeholders to the issue, including Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Canada, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The chapters analyze how these states navigate and manage the intricacies of the US–China rivalry over Taiwan, focusing on strategies such as balancing and hedging. While existing works explore the policies of China, Taiwan, and the United States regarding Taiwan’s status, there is little scholarship addressing the stances other international stakeholders. This volume fills that gap by analyzing the strategies and policies these stakeholders adopt to deter China, their efforts to safeguard economic and political interests, and the challenges they face in balancing relations with the US, China, and Taiwan. Collectively, the chapters deepen our understanding of the strategic dynamics surrounding Taiwan and shed light on the roles played by key actors striving to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.This book will be of interest to students of Asian security, Chinese politics, and International Relations.