Among the growing body of literature on Japanese philosophy, this anthology is an important addition which gives a voice to less-studied authors who deserve attention. John Krummel’s excellent translations make these authors intelligible for a wider audience. As this collection shows, Japanese philosophy is richer and more complex than Kyôto School philosophy.

Hans-Peter Liederbach, Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University

This collection presents eloquent translations of essays by ten leading contemporary philosophers rarely considered together, and allows us to engage a broad range of recent philosophical activity in Japan. Its comprehensive introduction offers clear entry to the entire field as well as to each represented thinker, and three more essays survey feminist thought, the postwar Kyoto School, and other philosophical trends.

John C. Maraldo, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of North Florida

Japanese philosophy currently occupies an important place in world philosophy. This book introduces texts written in the second half of the 20th century, thus closing a very important gap in Western literature. Contemporary Japanese Philosophy is an essential source for understanding philosophical tendencies in the last 50 years in Japan.

Rolf Elberfeld, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hildesheim

Krummel has made available the translations of ten original thinkers and three leading scholars from the discipline of contemporary Japanese philosophy. His translation demonstrates tremendous judicious fairness to each original work such that readers should be able to feel the stylistic differences of the authors. This polyvocal book has laid a foundation for future research projects in relation to the works of these Japanese philosophers.

Takeshi Morisato, Researcher in the Department of Philosophy, Sun Yat-Sen University, China

A leading scholar from a new generation specializing in the booming field of Japanese philosophy, John Krummel has assembled an outstanding collection of essays by contemporary philosophers. Although all are admired in Japan as among their country’s most seminal thinkers, until now many have been less known to the West because of the paucity of their writings in translation.

Thomas P. Kasulis, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Studies, Ohio State University, USA

The volume is a valuable contribution to the expansion of dialogue on the ways in which contemporary East Asian reflection can provide a new impetus to reinvigorating theoretical discussions in academia and beyond.

Religious Studies Review