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This paper suggests that the analysis of racism in Japan can be advanced by taking note of theoretical arguments produced in the context of studies of European racisms. Specifically, the paper discusses the relationship between racism and nationalism, and argues that this relationship can be understood only if the ideological character of the notion of 'race' is recognised. The significance of racist ideology in the discourses of the state during the period of the Japanese colonial empire is analysed and some implications of this analysis for the situation of minority populations in contemporary Japan are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although various dimensions of values have been advanced, this paper proposes a three-fold value typology, using individual, collective and universal value orientations. In post-war Japan, a profound change in values from the collective orientation to individual orientation has occurred. It is suggested that the causes of this change are: 1) democracy imported from Western countries; 2) the development of an affluent society as a result of economic growth; and 3) social changes, like urbanisation and the nuclearisation of the family. On the other hand, in the 1980s there was a growth in the awareness of the universal orientation, involving the relative priority that a person gives to general human happiness over the individual's own happiness if there is a competitive relation between the two. Although people who hold a universal orientation and behave accordingly are still in a minority, the universal orientation will become more widespread in future society and it is therefore important to pay particular attention to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late 1970s 'the Japanese-type welfare society' was proposed by the ruling party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party. This paper examines the background and content of this proposal. Without being enthusiastically committed to the 'welfare state', Japan, under continued rule by the LDP since 1955, has developed social security institutions in an ad hoc way keeping pace with the growth of the economy. However, facing the prospect of an unprecedented rapid aging of the population, Japan has to find a way to balance the cost of social security with an increase in the needs for it. The LDP's answer to that was 'the Japanese-type welfare society'. However, it has been found that there is no easy answer to the problem. It has been noted in recent years that there is less talk of the 'Japanese type' and more introduction of concrete measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]