The author analyzes the Japanese political scene in terms of the general cultural context and the pattern of inter-personal relationships with particular attention to the impact of non-political behaviour and activities on politics. He describes the underlying value-systems of the Japanese, especially those of the ruling elites, and their effect on the political leaders and their discussions. He also sets out to show how contemporary ideological tensions have been aggravated by the refusal of both sides to recognize that there are political features common to all societies which, in a given situation and irrespective of ideology, make certain patters of behaviour inevitable.--