Confucian countries have unrecognized potential to promote gender policies in ways which have been unappreciated by western scholarship. This book challenges western notions of what constitutes liberation by using three critical nexus points (UN gender initiatives, domestic violence law, and women's centers) that demonstrate how western intrusions established a hierarchy, which interfered with organic movements to promote women's rights. Through the use of qualitative interviews and archival research, Freiner addresses and defines the Confucian cultural qualities specific to Japan and analyzes state interactions with women with regard to domestic violence. Moreover, "The Social and Gender Politics of Confusian States "argues that current literature on feminism in the state relies upon a western lens, which may neglect the opportunities and possibilities for an empowerment framework that relies upon Confucian norms.

Freiner defines a new understanding of nationalism, with a focus on the ways in which the Japanese state has utilized Confucian philosophy to create a Japanese national identity and on the impact of this on women. She examines the key policy areas of education and social security alongside the roles that women have played in these initiatives.