This book investigates the ways in which Japanese 'language' and 'culture' have come to be standardized through ideology, representation in textbooks and in classroom practices. In doing so, it provides insights into the standardization processes which address the theoretical and practical concerns of researchers and educators.

1. Shinji Sato and Neriko Musha Doerr: Introduction  2. Ryuko Kubota: Standardization of Language and Culture  3. Naoki Sakai: Identity of Language and the Regime of Translation  4. Neriko Musha Doerr: On the Necessity of “Being Understood”: Rethinking the Ideology of Standardization in Japan  5. Shigeko Okamoto: Rethinking “Norms” for Japanese Women’s Speech  6. Shinji Sato: Constructing and Constructed Japanese: History of Standard Japanese and Practice at a Japanese Preschool  7. Uichi Kamiyoshi: How Japanese Education for Young People Has Been Discussed: A Critical Analysis from a Relational Viewpoint  8. Yuko Okubo: A Consideration of the Discourse on Mother Tongue Instruction in Japanese Language Education: A Case Study of the Practices of Japanese Language Classes for Chinese Returnees and Vietnamese Residents  9. Hazuki Segawa: The Japanese Mind and Thought: Theorization over Patterns of Thought in Post-War Japanese Language Education  10. Yuri Kumagai: On Learning Japanese Language: Critical Reading of a Japanese Language Textbook  11. Ryuko Kubota: Critical Teaching of Japanese Culture  12. Yuri Kumagai: The Process of Standardization of Language and Culture in a Japanese-as-a-Foreign-Language Classroom: Analysis of Teacher-Student Interactions  13. Neriko Musha Doerr: Conclusion and Departure: Shifting Thinking 

This is a fascinating original study of the politics involved in standardizing Japanese language. It is the first to jointly examine Japanese language education for 'native' speakers (kokugo) and for 'non-native' speakers. Its interdisciplinary approach makes the book enlightening for anyone interested in language, education, or Japanese society.