The context of Japanese childrearing has changed during the postwar era. Noting that "new" observations concerning childrearing and socialization may not actually be new, this volume establishes continuity with past researchers by integrating the past half-century of cross-cultural research on Japanese childrearing and socialization, placing current findings in their historical context and offering concrete suggestions for new research. Chapters by "senior" authors (born prior to World War II) reflect on the authors' life work and derive what they now believe is of enduring value. Following each of these is a chapter by a "junior" author, commenting on the implications of the senior chapters for the understanding of culture, child development, and childrearing and socialization. The chapters are: (1) "Introduction: Looking Back" (David Shwalb and Barbara Shwalb), including goals and overview of the book as well as changes in research on the Japanese; (2) "From Productive Dependents to Precious Guests: Historical Changes in Japanese Children" (Hiroko Hara and Mieko Minagawa); (3) "Are Japanese Young Children among the Gods?" (Shing-Jen Chen); (4) "Psychocultural Continuities in Japanese Social Motivation" (George De Vos); (5) "Socialization and School Adaptation: On the Lifework of George De Vos" (Curtis Vaughn); (6) "Adult to Child in Japan: Interaction and Relations" (Betty Lanham and Regina Garrick); (7) "The Contributions of Betty Lanham: A Neglected Legacy" (Catherine Lewis); (8) "William Caudill and the Reproduction of Culture: Infant, Child, and Maternal Behavior in Japan and the United States" (Carmi Schooler); (9) "Production and Reproduction of Culture: The Dynamic Role of Mothers and Children in Early Socialization" (Susan Holloway and Masahiko Minami); (10) "Urban Middle-Class Japanese Family Life, 1958-1996: A Personal and Evolving Perspective" (Suzanne Hall Vogel); (11) "Japan's Old-Time New Middle Class" (Ezra Vogel); (12) "Renewing the New Middle Class: Japan's Next Families" (Merry White); (13) "Cross-National Research on Child Development: The Hess-Azuma Collaboration in Retrospect" (Hiroshi Azuma); (14) "Maternal and Cultural Socialization for Schooling: Lessons Learned and Prospects Ahead" (Sandra Machida); (15) "The Transmission of Culturally Linked Behavior Systems through Maternal Behavior: Nature versus Nurture Revisited" (Nancy Shand); (16) "Longitudinal Research in a Cultural Context: Reflections, Prospects, Challenges" (Per Gjerde); and (17) "Conclusions: Looking Ahead" (David Shwalb and Barbara Shwalb). Each article contains references. (HTH)