Cool Japan: Inside Japan's Cultural and Creative Industries

Step inside the world of Japanese popular and traditional culture, where J-pop music producers, manga artists, anime and video game creators, idols, fashion designers, comedians, tea and sake makers, sumo wrestlers, and businesspeople create the products and enjoyment that have made Japan a “cultural superpower” and become part of the daily lives of people around the world. Following up on the popular first edition of Cool Japan (2017), this second edition updates all of the original chapters and adds two new chapters on manga and Japanese comedy. Readers not only learn about various genres of Japanese culture—some familiar, some less so—they also follow Japan’s creators as they wrestle with the cultural and business challenges that come with competing in a globalized and fast-changing world. Extensively researched and rich in detail, Cool Japan is engaging and eye-opening reading for anyone with an interest in Japan. It is also ideal for use in school or university classrooms, in courses on Japan, popular culture, or business. Read more