This book relates the experiences of a range of Western writers who went to Japan as teachers and lecturers, covering a period of over 100 years. It discusses East-West cultural differences; Western 'individualism' encountering Japanese 'formal' society; and draws on the author's interviews with many of the writers featured. It includes some hitherto unpublished correspondence, as well as comments on their published works. The author hopes her book will encourage a deeper understanding between East and West.

This book concludes Sumie Okada's trilogy concerning cultural relationships between Japan and the West. This volume discusses six Japanese authors (Soseki, Mishima, Akiko Yosano, Hiroshi Yosano, Endo and Murakami), analyzing the encounter between their traditional Japanese group-consciousness and western individualism. It also covers Endo's student days in Lyon, and his relationship with the humanist Françoise Pastre, appending a moving account by her sister Geneviève.

This book concludes Sumie Okada's trilogy concerning cultural relationships between Japan and the West. This volume discusses six Japanese authors (Soseki, Mishima, Akiko Yosano, Hiroshi Yosano, Endo and Murakami), analysing the encounter between their traditional Japanese group-consciousness and western individualism. It also covers Endo's student days in Lyon, and his relationship with the humanist Francoise Pastre, appending a moving account by her sister Genevieve.

The federal budget is central to Congress's ability to assert its "power of the purse". Federal budget decisions express Congress's priorities among competing aims and reinforce Congress's influence on federal policies. The budget also affects, and is affected by, the national economy as a whole. The federal budget over the next few fiscal years will likely face significant challenges to both revenues and outlays as a result of recent turmoil in the economy and financial markets. This new book explores the federal budget outlook and economic implications as concerns remain about the federal government's long-term fiscal situation. The rising costs of federal health care programs and the effects of the baby boom generation's retirement present serious challenges to fiscal stability.