Abstract

This reference introduces the significance of the natural environment in Japan's ancient culture, in its modern society, and in its future political agendas. It covers nature as a formative phenomenon in Japanese history, religion, philosophy and art; the modern history of Japan's enviromental problems and its successes and failures with dealing with them; the state of Japan's natural enviroment today, how it has been transformed and how this transformation reflects the cultural nexus; the country's grassroots enviromental movements and their sociopolitical significance; and Japan's political culture and the forces which are currently poised to revolutionise the country's official position on the enviroment. It includes personal interviews with specialists from goverment, industry, NGO's and academia.