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. * Kaori H. Okano, La Trobe University, Australia * A must-read book for Japanese and other language educators. This book makes language educators, myself included, face the nature of our profession, which, whether we like it or not, cannot escape from being involved in ideologies and politics. The book asks us to examine our accountability as intermediaries between the 'language' and learners, who regularly (and often without much thought) make choices about the 'language' for the learners. * Chihiro Kinoshita Thomson, University of New South Wales, Australia *