Ivy, Marilyn. "Formations of Mass Culture." Postwar Japan as History. Andrew Gordon, ed. Berkeley. University of California Press, 1993 p238-258

(On reserve)

Author Marilyn Ivy explains the postwar phenomenon of mass culture in Japan in her chapter in a collection of articles concerning postwar Japan. This article could be read by a general audience, but would best accompanied with some knowledge of Japanese history. First she distinguishes "mass culture" as "cultural industry" as opposed to popular culture. Japan was a mass society by the 1920's due to the Meiji period's industrial boom. The military government of the 1930's resulted in social control indicative of mass societies. Due to the American Occupation, there was an "Americanization" of Japanese life. Yet there was also a resurgence of local culture resulting from lack of Japanese censorship. The "post-post war" led to an economic boom with emphasis on high-level production and consumption. Waves of mass media, publications, manga, and electronic media such as television led to Japan's mass culture. Surges of advertising resulted in "standardized consumption". By 1960 Japanese television worked to incorporate the viewer into the drama, so that television seemed to reflect everyday life. The 1970's saw various reactions to scandals broadcasted through mass media. Japan was considered a strong force internationally, however, movements against the results of Japan's economic boom began. By 1980 Japan's economy experienced a transition, and standardized consumption was no longer so prevalent. Markets diversified and mass culture became known as "micromasses". Markets as well as media became more local and individualized. Internationally "Exotic" Japan became a place of interest, a Japan lost in the modern world.

Ivy's article gives an excellent chronology of Japan's cultural transition resulting from various economic transitions. Her positions are easy to follow, as time is divided into several subchapters as each transition occurs. However, there is little political detail explaining the motivator of the economic boom, and concerning "mass culture" she provides few details on what exactly this is.

Hamil Pearsall