The Establishment of Japan's Legal Culture

This book explores the complexities involved in the establishment of Japanese legal culture. By analysing the concept of law, examining the normative activities of ancient Japanese society, and scrutinising the western ideas and institutions of law in modernising Japan, the book offers a detailed account of how Japanese law arose and how it was practised. Challenging the simplistic notions of “law” and the cliched narratives of westernisation, it effectively highlights the sophisticated and layered aspects of Japan’s legal evolution. Providing a comprehensive historical perspective and nuanced appreciation of how Japan’s legal system has been influenced by the West whilst remaining Japanese, this book is ideal for legal scholars, historians, and students of Japanese law and legal history.