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

This landmark book is the first general English-language history of technology in modern Japan.

Tessa Morris-Suzuki (Author)

9780521424929, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 November 1994

316 pages, 22 b/w illus. 1 map 11 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.47 kg

"This book is especially informative, and insightful, because it never loses sight of the political, social, and economic contexts within which the history and development of technology in Japan must be considered." J.W. Dauben, Choice

For decades, Japan has been at the cutting edge of much technology, becoming an industrial superpower along the way. However, it is not widely acknowledged 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 change.

1. Introduction
Part I. The Tokugawa Heritage 1603–1867: 2. Society and technology in Tokugawa, Japan
3. Opening of doors
Part II. Technology in Industrialising Japan 1868–1945: 4. Technology and the Meiji State 1868–1912
5. Systems-building and science-based industry 1912–1937
6. A war of science and technology 1937–1945
Part III. The Making of a Technological Superpower Since 1945: 7. Technology and the 'economic miracle' 1945–1973
8. High-tech Japan
Notes
Chronology
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]