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What the Book Explores

Yoneji Masuda’s The Information Society as Post-Industrial Society, first published in Japanese in 1980 and translated into English in 1981, examines the societal shifts occurring in Japan and beyond due to the burgeoning influence of information technology. Masuda argues that society is transitioning from an industrial base to one fundamentally organized around the production, processing, and dissemination of information. He doesn’t view this merely as technological change, but as a restructuring of social classes, economic power, and even fundamental modes of thought. The work delves into the emergence of a ‘new middle class’ of information workers, the changing nature of work, and the rise of ‘information elites’ who control the flow of data and its interpretation. Masuda also explores the cultural implications of this shift, including changes in education, leisure, and communication patterns. He emphasizes the importance of understanding information as a key economic resource and the need for a national strategy to harness its potential.

Historical / Cultural Context

This work arose during a period of significant technological advancement, particularly in computing and telecommunications. The 1970s and early 1980s witnessed the widespread adoption of computers in business and government, and the beginnings of the personal computer revolution. Japan, having rebuilt its economy after World War II, was rapidly becoming a global leader in technology and manufacturing. Masuda’s book reflects a distinctly Japanese perspective, influenced by the country’s unique industrial organization (keiretsu) and emphasis on national economic planning. His analysis was shaped by the observation of Japan’s successful adaptation to new technologies and its growing economic power. While written with a Japanese context in mind, the book resonated internationally as many nations grappled with the implications of the emerging information age. Masuda’s work anticipated many of the debates surrounding digitalization and the ‘information gap’ that would become prominent in subsequent decades. He provides a valuable early articulation of the societal consequences of widespread information access and control. It’s important to understand this was also a period of Cold War anxieties, where information control and technological dominance were seen as strategic imperatives.

Who This Book Is For

This book is primarily aimed at those with an academic or professional interest in sociology, economics, information science, and cultural studies. Its depth of analysis and theoretical framing make it less accessible to a general readership seeking a simple overview of the information age. However, readers interested in the historical development of concepts like the ‘information society’ and the early understanding of the digital revolution will find it insightful. Researchers interested in comparative studies of societal transformations and the impact of technology on social structures will also find value in Masuda’s work. Understanding its cultural origins within the Japanese context enhances the book’s usefulness.

Further Reading

• The Work of Norbert Wiener: Wiener’s Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine (1948) laid foundational groundwork for understanding information as a universal principle.
• Daniel Bell, The Coming of Post-Industrial Society (1973): Bell’s influential work provides a broader theoretical framework for understanding the shift from industrial to service-based economies.
• Manuel Castells, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture (1996-2000): Castells offers a comprehensive and contemporary analysis of the information age, building on the ideas of Masuda and others.

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