"This book is a translation of the paperback edition of Zetsubåo no kuni no kåofuku na wakamono-tachi, first published in 2011 and then rel eased in paperback form in 2015, both published by Kodansha Ltd." -- Ti tle page verso

Includes bibliographical references.

The rise and fall of "young people" -- The restless young -- The "co llapse" of "Japan"? -- The youths who stand up for Japan -- The great E ast Japan earthquake and the young people who met expectations -- The h appy youth of a desperate country -- Supplementary chapter: a conversat ion with Takeru Satåo.

"Young people in present-day Japan, a socially-polarized society, ha ve been reportedly "unhappy." According to statistics, however, 80 perc ent of them are currently "satisfied" with life. By drawing attention t o this very fact, The Happy Youth of a Desperate Country, a magnum opus by acclaimed sociologist Noritoshi Furuichi, has revolutionized the di scourse on youth theory in Japan. Containing more than six hundred foot notes, this work offers a probing examination of the portrait of "young people" and serves as the definitive edition for anyone seeking to att ain a wide-ranging grasp of Japan and its "young people," from a defini ng voice of their generation"--Back cover.