The Technological Transformation of Japan: From the Seventeenth to the Twenty-First Century

by Tessa Morris-Suzuki

Book Overview

For decades, Japan has been at the cutting edge of much technology, becoming an industrial superpower in the process. It is not widely acknowledged, however, that Japan's status as technological leader is the result of historical processes over centuries. This landmark book is the first general English-language history of technology in modern Japan. Impressive for its scope and insight, the book also considers the social costs of rapid technological...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521424925
• ISBN13: 9780521424929
• Release Date: November 1994
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Shifting Away from Feudalism

This was the idea that was presented in regards to this book. Part of the main assignment. In Japan, things have really changed since the beginning of where this book takes place. It is hoped that other Asian nations can follow the lead of a country like Japan which shifted from a feudal cultural system to a technology-based cultural system. And the effects of how society is influenced by technology or how technology is influenced by society can be seen here. The line is not always clear and sometimes shifts occur as to what affects what. In the beginning of the book we have feudal warlords who are at the forefront or the selling and control of the various prefectures and new technologies. Then the shift is made to more governmental control under peaceful measures. Such practice is essential for the peaceful progress of a country as a whole, and this has been demonstrated by Japan and by the writer who wrote this book. Developing nations in Asia can survive and not move backward if they follow by example of the region's leader. Japan can be compared to the U.S. when it comes to leading by example for "peer countries" in their regions. At the point of this review, U.S. President Barack Obama is in fact in Tokyo, Japan, and is discussing the more "Pacific-oriented President" (he spent a short time in Indonesia) and how China should not be feared. He is also discussing how the U.S. wants to take a more defined and active role in Asia. Japan feared many countries and shut itself off to them in trade, as demonstrated in this book. The country was open only to the Netherlands for quite some time. Then a U.S. military officer more or less forced open the gate to trade to this previously isolated and nationalistic country and that has been one of the most important factors in the development of Japan.