Long Reads: Kristin Surak on Japan's Lost Generation

<p>During the 1980s, Japan seemed like it might overtake the US to become the world’s largest economy. But since a property bubble burst in the early 90s, Japan has become a by-word for economic stagnation. That hasn’t prevented the ruling Liberal Democratic Party from maintaining its status as the most successful political party in the rich capitalist world.</p><br /><p>Kristin Surak joins <em>Long Reads</em> to discuss modern Japan. Kristin teaches sociology at the London School of Economics and is the author of <a href="https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=20929" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><em>Making Tea, Making Japan: Cultural Nationalism in Practice</em></a>.</p><br /><p>Find her work for <em>Jacobin</em>, including the essay "Japan’s Shinzō Abe Was an Uninspiring Leader Who Prospered by Default," here: <a href="https://jacobin.com/author/kristin-surak" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://jacobin.com/author/kristin-surak</a></p><br /><p>Check out Pluto audiobooks at: <a href="https://tiny.one/jacobin" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">tiny.one/jacobin</a></p><p>And join the Left Book Club by using code WINFREE at <a href="https://leftbookclub.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">leftbookclub.com</a></p><br /><p><em>Long Reads</em> is a <em>Jacobin</em> podcast looking in-depth at political topics and thinkers, both contemporary and historical, with the magazine’s longform writers. Hosted by features editor Daniel Finn. Produced by Conor Gillies, music by <a href="https://knxwledge.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Knxwledge</a>.</p>