The Hatoyama Dynasty: Japanese Political Leadership Through the Generations

This is a multi-generational political history of the Hatoyamas, a family that has participated at the highest levels of Japan's parliamentary government from its inception in the late 1800s. The Hatoyama family is one of the most prominent political families in modern Japanese government. It has produced six members of the Diet, Japan's parliament, many of whom have served as cabinet members and party leaders. Due to the family's political legacy, they have often been likened to the Kennedy family in American politics (though they have been spared the tragedy and scandal visited upon the Kennedys). Despite the significance of the Hatoyamas to modern Japanese politics, this is the first comprehensive study available in English. In tracing the rising political fortunes of this family, it is also possible to study the role of hereditary politicians in Japan, the growth and evolution of Japanese political parties, and, perhaps most importantly, the way political leadership functions in Japan, a society known more for consensus-building than strong leaders.

Author: M. Itoh
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Published: 01/16/2004
Pages: 286
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.99lbs
Size: 8.78h x 5.62w x 0.92d
ISBN: 9781403963314

Review Citation(s):
Choice 06/01/2004 pg. 1956

About the Author
MAYUMI ITOH is Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA and author of The Globalization of Japan (Palgrave Macmillan, 2000).