“There is no better way to understand where this always intriguing, vitally important, and often pioneering country is heading than to read this book.”Bill Emmott, Chairman, Japan Society of the UK and author of The Fate of the West.“Much of the world seems to have forgotten Japan, being mesmerized by the spectacular rise of China. Jeff Kingston’s informative and remarkably entertaining book reminds us that, despite its many problems, Japan still matters deeply, rebounding in many fields in unexpected ways.”Arthur Stockwin, Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, Oxford"Scholar Jeff Kingston has penned a new 'compact and lively book' looking at Japan in the 21st century. Japan promises to be a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of this country."The Japan Times ‘A concise, highly readable overview of Japan’s political evolution from 1945 to the present’ The Japan Times