PBS
Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Housing, Food, and Clothes
In this article from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs you can read about traditional Japanese houses, clothing, and food, but also find out how modern Japanese people live.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Culture
Japanese traditional culture and modern culture are explored in this article from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Learn about the many traditional ceremonies and arts that are a part of Japanese culture.
Globe Tracks
Travel for Kids: Fun Things to Do in Japan
"Kids already know a little about Japan if they collect Pokemon cards or buy Hello Kitty. Japan may seem very "modern," but it has a long history of tradition deeply embedded in everyday life." This site explores the geography and...
Yale University
The Opening of Japan to the West
Site offers wonderful illustrations of Perry's expedition to Japan with brief descriptions.
Other
National Diet Library: Birth of the Constitution of Japan
A site on the development of the constitution of Japan with descriptions of the major political figures and summaries of some of the documents.
Ohio State University
The Early Modern Warrior: Three Explorations of Samurai Life [Pdf]
Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first shogun to unite and bring peace to Japan. His early life and rise to power is documented in this essay. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
Other
Wake Forest University: Japan: A Meteoric Rise
In this excerpt from a larger work on industrialization in the non-Western world, find a detailed history of late nineteenth-century Japan, the period during which Japan was forced out of isolation.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Modern Brit Poet: Epilogue "The Flower of Old Japan", Alfred Noyes
Full text of Alfred Noyes poem "Epilogue" from his poem "The Flower of Old Japan."
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kids Web Japan: High Tech Japan
At this site sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, high tech aspects of modern Japan are explained by products, such as cellular phone, game machine, bullet train, high tech eco products and dog language translator. The...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Japan: Images of a People
Young scholars learn to view Japanese paintings, they make a screen, and they learn about the culture of Japan. There are three lesson plans and all allow all needed materials to be downloaded.
Other
Kantei: Constitution and Government of Japan
This site from Kantei gives you the fundamental structure of the government of Japan. It also has a chart of the organization of the government. There is page where you can read the constitution of Japan.
Other
Famous Personages in Japan
This site includes information about a number of famous people in Japan. Designed by a Japanese college to help people learn about modern Japan.
Other
Famous Personages in Japan
This site includes information about a number of famous people in Japan. Designed by a Japanese college to help people learn about modern Japan.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Japanese Creation Myth (712 Ce): Genji Shibukawa: Tales From the Kojiki
Japanese Creation Myth (712 CE) translated and updated text for modern retelling.
Other
National Diet Library, Japan: Portraits of Modern Japanese Historic Figures
Features portrait photographs of 350 modern Japanese historical figures including statesmen, businessmen, scholars, artists, and military figures. View by category or name.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Nipponia
Nipponia is an online magazine, published quarterly, that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world. Browse articles on life and culture, travel and history, science and technology, art and entertainment, nature and geography,...
Other
Postwar Japan: Statist Development
The rebirth of Japan after WWII is explained. There was land reform, political reform, democratization, and the establishment of trade unions, all introduced by the Supreme Command of Allied Power. The phenomenal growth of business was...
Other
Japan Society: Framing Twentieth Century Japan: A Top Ten List
An essay, by university professor William Tsutsui, itemizes ten themes that can help make the story of modern-day Japan understandable. Themes touch on a range of issues, including the changing role of women, technological advances, and...
Other
The Structural Reform of the Japanese Economy
This is the "Action Plan" for The Program for Economic Structure Reform, adopted by the cabinet. It goes into detail of how they will go about improving the economy of Japan with the year 2001 as their goal.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Education in Japan 1860
Fordham University gives a short selection from Francis O. Adams' account of Japanese schools in 1860.
Other
Kanzaki: History of Japan's Literature
This resource traces the changes in Japanese literature from its beginnings in the Nara period through the present.
Other
Reischauer and Jansen: The Meiji Restoration
This detailed documentation profiles the evolution of Japan from an isolated society through the Meiji Restoration period where it emerged as an open modernized country.
Other
Michael R. Bernstein Fine Japanese Art
This is a gem of a site. Choices are clearly marked for pictures and information about ivory, wood, and modern netsuke.