image: The Politics of Conformity in Japan by Yukiko Nishikawa
Credit: Taylor & Francis
This compelling book sheds light on one of the most defining yet often overlooked forces in Japanese society: dōchō atsuryoku (conformity pressure). Far beyond a matter of individual psychology, this book argues that conformity acts as an important force in shaping politics, governance, and the legal system in Japan. It is a force that binds people together, enforces unspoken rules, and even fills the gaps where laws or clear leadership are absent.
At the heart of this analysis is the concept of “seken”—the collective social gaze or the “public” or “society” that influences behavior through expectations rather than laws. The book traces how this traditional social framework has transformed into modern-day norms such as “reading the air” (kūki wo yomu), making Japanese society particularly vulnerable to widespread, invisible social pressure. These pressures extend into every aspect of life, from daily interactions to national responses during crises.
Drawing on both historical and contemporary examples, the book investigates how social conformity has impacted Japan during key moments: the wartime era, the economic miracle of the post-war years, the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, and recent societal reactions to high-profile cases of sexual violence. These cases vividly illustrate how social pressure can influence not only individual behavior but also institutional responses and national policy.
Building on classic works like Ruth Benedict’s The Chrysanthemum and the Sword and Nakane Chie’s Japanese Society, which explains the vertical structure of interpersonal relationships in Japan, this book offers a fresh lens through which to understand Japan’s unique social dynamics. It resonates with Karel van Wolferen’s seminal 1989 analysis in The Enigma of Japanese Power, where Japan is described as a "stateless nation" ruled by diffuse systems rather than clear lines of accountability.
For readers interested in Japanese culture, society, group dynamics, or legal and political systems, this book offers both accessible explanations and deep analytical insights. It doesn’t just describe how Japanese people act—it asks why, and reveals the underlying social currents that shape behavior in ways outsiders (and even insiders) may not always see.
Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the true mechanics of Japanese society—not through language or laws, but through the unseen forces that move people and shape the nation.
Keywords:
Japan, dōchō atsuryoku (conformity pressure), kūki (atmosphere or mood), social forces, social influence, social relationships, social psychology, social control, sociology, group dynamics, collectivism, law and society, seken, the COVID-19 pandemic, social pressure, a historic sexual assault scandal, war-time Japan, situational justice, politics, corporate practice, corporate seken, economic success, entertainment industry, media, positive and negative effects, governance
Author:
NISHIKAWA, Yukiko Ph.D., is a professor at Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Her research interests include politics and society in Japan, Japan’s diplomacy, and security and politics in East and Southeast Asia. She has published several books on Japan and Southeast Asia. Her main publications include International Norms and Local Politics in Myanmar (Routledge, 2022); Globalization and Local Conflicts in Africa and Asia (editor: Springer, 2022); Political Sociology of Japanese Pacifism (Routledge, 2018); Human Security in Southeast Asia (Routledge, 2010); Japan’s Changing Role in Humanitarian Crises (Routledge, 2005).