This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of the influences that have shaped modern-day Japan.

List of illustrations; List of tables; List of contributors; Acknowledgements; Chronology; Map; Culture of 'Japanese culture': an overview Yoshio Sugimoto; 1. Concepts of Japan, Japanese culture, the Japanese Harumi Befu; 2. Japan's emic conceptions Takami Kuwayama; 3. Language Hugh Clarke; 4. Family culture Anne Imamura; 5. School culture Kaori H. Okano; 6. Work culture Ross Mouer; 7. Technological culture Morris Low; 8. Religious culture Stephen Covell; 9. Political culture Takashi Inoguchi; 10. Buraku culture Hideo Aoki; 11. Literature Toshiko Ellis; 12. Popular leisure Sepp Linhart; 13. Manga, anime and visual art culture Craig Norris; 14. Music culture Junko Kitagawa; 15. Housing culture Ann Waswo; 16. Food culture Naomichi Ishige; 17. Sports culture Miho Koishikawa; 18. Globalisation and cultural nationalism Takashi Inoguchi; 19. Export of cultural goods Ross Mouer and Craig Norris.