This article examines the precarious transition from school to work, considers its relation to young people's identity formation in late modern Japan, and rethinks the theory of identity formation in late modernity. Although Japan's transition system had been efficient and stable over many years, since the late 1990s this has been replaced by an…

Japan's rapidly aging population has become a top policy issue, especially as the increasing costs of pensions and medical care are debated. With the highest life expectancy on earth, the Japanese potentially face long periods of retirement, as well as the possibility of long periods of disability. Although family support of the elderly is thought…

Presenting a statement of faith in the future of intercultural understanding, the essay suggests a humanistic framework of dignity and well-being for people which would be based upon acceptance of value conflict, genuine respect for others, and mutuality in relationships. The outgrowth of a program of international inquiries by scholars over a…

This report describes a one-day conference intended to advance knowledge concerning social change in Japan and the United States. Characterizing the change as one from industrial production dominance to knowledge production dominance; the conference addressed related questions such as defining post-industrial society, informational society, and…