This is a welcome new edition of this bestselling textbook. It provides a clear, accessible and readable introduction to Japanese society which does not require any previous knowledge of the country. Fully updated, revised and expanded, the 3rd edition contains new material on:· the effects of the Asian crisis and recession in Japan· the emergence of the millennial cults such as the Aum Shinrikyo· major advances in sport and leisure such as the 2002 World Cup and the amazing global cultural success of Pokemon and Japanese animation and computer games· the tumultuous changes of the Japanese ruling elite· the Ainu and other Japanese minorities· debates about the future of the Japanese constitution and the resurgence of nationalism and militarism.