No-one can doubt the need for us to better understand the Japanese response to globalization, given the countrys increasingly important role in politics/security and economy/business. This is a timely and cutting-edge analysis and evaluation of Japanese responses to globalization by top Japanese scholars with a critical (social democratic) approach. It consists of a three dimensional structure which links issues of politics/security and economy/business, at both internal and external levels, thus shedding light on Japans globalization in its totality. It is an important and valuable contribution to explicating the meaning of the positive and negative consequences of Japans globalization over the long term.

The Palgrave Macmillan Asian Business Series seeks to publish theoretical and empirical studies that contribute forward-looking social perspectives on the study of management issues not just in Asia, but by implication elsewhere. The series specifically aims at the development of new frontiers in the scope, themes and methods of business and management studies in Asia, a region which is seen as key to studies of modern management, organisation, strategies, human resources and technologies. The series invites practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers to join us at the cutting edge of constructive perspectives on Asian management, seeking to contribute towards the development of civil societies in Asia and further afield.

About the Author

GLENN D. HOOK is Professor of Japanese Studies and Director of the Graduate School of East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK. His research interests are in Japans international relations. Recent publications include Militarization and Demilitarization in Contemporary Japan (Routledge, 1996), Japans Contested Constitution: Documents and Analysis (Routledge, 2001), Japans International Relations: Politics, Economics and Security (RoutledgeCurzon, 2005). Professor Hook is Chair of the Editorial Board of the Palgrave Macmillan Asian Business and Management series.

HARUKIYO HASEGAWA is Professor of Business Studies and Honorary Professor of Japanese Business at the University of Sheffield, UK. His research interests are corporate labour in Asia and global human resource management. His recent publications are The Steel Industry in Japan: A Comparison with Britain (Routledge 1996), Japanese Business Management: Restructuring for Low Growth and Globalization (Routledge, 1997) and The Political Economy of Japanese Globalisation (Routledge, 2001). Professor Hasegawa is General Editor of the Palgrave Macmillan Asian Business and Management series.