This volume summarizes the main lectures presented at the Osaka University Macromolecular Symposium OUMS '95 on New Macromolecular Architectures and Functions, where the following three topics were discussed: (1) controlled polymerizations, (2) macromolecular organized systems, and (3) biomimetic polymers. Either of these topics in itself is a hot issue at present and frequently taken up as a main theme at a particular symposium. The present symposium invited leading scientists in these fields as guest speakers and is expected to attract interests of a significant range of readers.

The Japanese political system is a parliamentary democracy and was the first western style government in Asia when the parliamentary system was adopted in the 1880s. It has a multiparty system, free elections, and a parliament that functions much the same way that any other democratic parliament functions, however for much of its existence the Japanese party system has been dominated by one party. This fact is crucial to understanding contemporary politics in Japan, especially since the long term ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, is once again back in power. This book presents an...