Investigating Japan

Part of the Longman Australia Modern History series designed for students ages 14-18, Investigating Japan focuses on the social, economic and political forces that transformed Japan from a self-sufficient agrarian society into a world power. The text begins with a background study of Japan's distant past and then follows the main aspects of Japanese society through the centuries until 1955. A selection of first-person narratives give life to the periods of history described in each section. Activities at the end of each section encourage students to analyze the documents and photographs and to make observations about the material. A bibliography directs interested students to other sources of information. This volume is an excellent cultural companion to Japanese language courses as well as an addition to any curriculum featuring world events and cultures.