First published in 1997. This book represents an analysis of Japanese preschools as organizations, as administrative frameworks. This volume tackles this set of themes by examining one such institution: Katsura Hoikuen (Day-Care Center). Based on fieldwork carried out in the summer of 1988, and for a short period in October 1994, my perspective is basically ethnographic in its approach.

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Katsura Day-Care Center; Chapter 3 Forms of Quality?; Chapter 4 Caretaking with a Pen?; Chapter 5 Teachers' Meetings; Chapter 6 An Organizational Model; Chapter 7 A Note; Chapter 8 Conclusion;