Component 3, Part 5
Japan in World History: Teaching and Learning—Japan's Path to World Leadership (1945 TO THE PRESENT)

In order to gain a foundation for understanding postwar Japanese history, a good place for students to begin is through doing a classroom reading and discussion on the US Occupation. Teachers and students can also view an excellent photograph collection of occupied Japan. Japan's postwar economic rise is, to date, one of the most significant developments in the countries' postwar history. Instructors and students can gain a basic understanding of The Japanese economic "miracle" through reading and discussing a short document designed for high school classes.

There is much Web content relating to contemporary Japanese culture, education, politics, and society. Contemporary Japan: Culture and Society, is an appropriate classroom introduction to the subject. It provides students with short video clips on a wide variety of Japan-related topics including pop culture, family and gender issues, education, and modern urban life. Instructors and students often are interested in a variety of post-war Japan topics. Stanford Universities' JGUIDE is a "virtual library" on Japan. There are twelve major categories on the site ranging from Business and Economics to Travel and Daily Living. Although there is historical content at this site, contemporary Japan is the primary focus. In addition to the major topics, interested students and teachers will find numerous excellent links, including ones to English language editions of major Japanese newspapers.