[Moderator's note: the following information was in response to Ms T. Norgren's request for literature on interest groups in Japan's health care field. Many thanks to Professors Hiwatari and Pempel for their replies. Any inaccuracies are, of course, the fault of the moderator.]

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The basic reference on interest group politics is Yutaka TSUJINAKA _Atsuryoku Dantai_ (Tokyo Daigaku Shuppan Kai) and MURAMATSU, TUJINAKA et al. _Sengo Nihon no Atsryoku Dantai_ (Toyo Keizai Shinpo-sha, 1986)
The references therein might also be useful.

Prof. Muramatsu Micho conducted surveys on the political influence of interest groups. It might be a good idea to contact him, or prof. Tujinaka (at Tsukuba) or prof. Kume Ikuo (at Kobe ) and see if they are willing to share some data.

There is one English book on the Japan Medical Assoc., but it could be

dated. That is W. Steslicke _Doctors in Japanese Politics_ (Praeger, 1973). The Japanese couterpart to this work is a chapter by Takahashi Hideyuki in Nakano Minoru (ed.) _Gendai Nihon no Seisaku Kettei Katei_ (Toyo Keizai Shinpo-sha, 1984) Again the footnotes might be useful.

Apart from John Campbell, Hayakawa Suitaka (Komazawa Daigaku Hogaku Ronshu, no. 43; 1991, Komazawa Daigaku Seijigaku Ronshu, no. 33, 1991; and Handai Hogaku, no. 140, 1986) and Kato Junko (Leviathan, 8, 1991) have written on the health care reforms of the 1980s

The histories (which come out every decade or so) of the health insurance associations (esp. Kenko Hoken Kumiai Rengokai) are quite useful on the political battles between the JMA, the government, and unions. Please search under author for Kenko Hoken Kuiai Rengokai. The most recent volume covers up to the 1982 Health Care Law for the Elderly.

There are also two books for general readers, _Nihon Ishikai_, and a biography of Takemi Taro. (Both from Bungei Shunju)