This illuminating new book integrates the past half century of cross-cultural research on Japanese childrearing and socialization, placing current findings in their historical context and offering concrete suggestions for new research. Coupling studies by influential senior scholars with reaction papers by younger-generation researchers, the book illustrates the lasting value of past scholarship and mentoring while it explores how theories and methodologies in the field have evolved over time.

The heart of the work is a collection of retrospectives by eight noted senior investigators, known for their seminal studies on the subject of Japanese children. Illustrating the diversity of perspectives on Japanese children, this text contributes both a history of the field and a history of the key players in their areas of scholarship. Written in an accessible style, it will be welcomed by scholars and students in a wide range of fields.