Family Change and Housing in Post-War Japanese Society

Misa Izuhara, University of Bristol, UK

• Contents: Introduction; Social change and family change; Women and family relations; The Japanese welfare state in transition: from feudalist to post-bubble capitalist state; Women and the welfare state; Housing and older people: impacts of housing policies and processes; Women and housing choices; Conclusions; Bibliography; Appendices.

’There is very little in the housing and social policy literature which deals effectively with Japan. This is a refreshing study which uses original research to present key issues related to change in the family and changes in housing provision and provides important and stimulating insights into Japanese society and social policy.’ Professor Alan Murie, University of Birmingham, UK The strength of this book lies in the analysis of the views expressed by the older women themselves...The narratives of this generation alone are already treasures. The author, however, organically frames them to depict the structure of Japanese society rather than just to record them...This book is recommended for scholars, researchers and students who are interested in housing policy, family sociology and Japanese society.’ Housing Studies ’...there is much valuable material here for the student of Japanese urban and social change and contemporary policy studies. The book contains useful appendices on research methodology and a glossary of Japanese terms...Hopefully, this work will lead to further studies of senior women and their present circumstances.’ Urban Studies ’Misa Izuhara has written a fascinating book which cleverly marries a broad conceptual approach with detailed analysis of her empirical study...This book can be recommended on many levels. For those who want to know about welfare developments in Japan there is a clear account of developments. This is particularly interesting for housing. For those interested in older women, the book offers a picture of women whose lives have been transformed in old age with regard to their housing and family links.’ Ageing and Society 'The interview data Izuhara collected are interesting and have the potential to shed new light on our understanding of older women's experiences of social change, as well as issues related to housing that they face in later life.' Journal of Asian Studies