A CURRENT JAPANESE INTERPRETATION OF MAX WEBER

The author tries to clarify some characteristics in the context of the intellectual history of Japan with regard to how and what aspects of Max Weber's theories have been introduced by Japanese social scientists. Max Weber's influence on Japan is so great that it is impossible to discuss the whole of it. Accordingly, in this article, the author refers only to a few social scientists who are notable from the viewpoint of some important problems, such as “overcoming modernity,’ etc. Some aspects which are peculiar to the interpretation of Weber's theories on Oriental society in Japan are dealt with in relation to the author's interests in the last part of this article.     

THE CONDITIONS GOVERNING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The author was Director of the Bangkok Office of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University from 1963 to 1966, during which period he made a study of agricultural development in Thialand and also visited the various countries of Southeast Asia. On the basis of this field-work he makes clear the factors impeding the development of agriculture in Southeast Asia with regard to such matters as decision-making units, capital, socio-economic conditions, technology, and prices, and goes on to advocate some feasible development policies.