Holthus, B. and Manzenreiter, W. eds. 2017.
Life course, Happiness and Well-being in Japan
London/New York. Routledge.
https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Well-being-Institute-Routledge-Japanese/dp/1138290599.
This book investigates the connections between sociostructural aspects, individual agency and happiness in contemporary Japan from a life course perspective. For the first time, anthropologists and sociologists jointly analyse the state of happiness and unhappiness in Japan among varying social groups in its physical, interpersonal, existential and structural dimensions, offering new insights into fundamental issues. The contributors examine quantitative and qualitative empirical data on the processes that impact how happiness and well-being are envisioned, crafted, and debated in Japan across the life-cycle. Therefore, the book discusses the shifting notions of happiness during people’s lives from birth to death, analysing the age group-specific experiences while taking into consideration people’s life trajectories and historical changes. It points out recent developments in regards to demographic change, late marriage, and the changing labor market and focuses on their significant impact on the well-being of Japanese people. In particular it highlights the interdependencies of lives within the family and how families are collaborating for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the happiness of its members.
