History of Japan II

Course title

M3026000

History of Japan II

Course description

This module is taught entirely in English. Prior completion of the related module 'History of Japan I' is recommended for students who wish to take this module, but is not mandatory. 'History of Japan II' first examines modern Japanese history, tracing the political, social, and cultural transformations that occurred between the late Edo period to and the start of the postwar Japanese economic boom. Beginning with the transition from the Edo era to the Meiji era. In the postwar period, we will explore Japan’s reconstruction under US occupation, the 'economic miracle' that arose in the immediate postwar period and continued through to the early 1990s, ongoing urbanisation, and environmental challenges. We will also address the phenomenon of Japan’s declining population (which some commentators refer to as a 'demographic crisis), focusing on its historical and economic roots. Moving into the late 20th century, the course examines modern Japanese culture including the rise of manga and anime. The class also looks at the roles of festivals and folklore in preserving older aspects of Japanese art and culture. Students will also have the opportunity to read and analyse Japanese poetry, gaining deeper insight into Japan's literary traditions.

Purpose of class

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive and critically-informed understanding of modern Japanese history, focusing on the political, social, and cultural changes that shaped Japan from the late Edo period to the present day. The module aims to foster historical awareness and analytical skills by getting students to engage with primary and secondary sources, study key historical events, and explore their long-term impacts on Japanese society. Additionally, by examining literature, art, folklore, and popular culture, students will develop a deeper appreciation of Japan’s cultural heritage and its ongoing global influence.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	Students will be able to explain modern Japanese history from the late Edo period to postwar Japan, including key political, social, and cultural transformations.	B , E
2.	Students will examine the roles of Japanese imperial expansion, conflicts such as the first and second world wars, and the postwar US occupation and economic reconstruction on Japan's historical trajectory.	B , E
3.	Students will be able to describe how features of Japan's internal development in the late 19th and 20th centuries relate to the impact the country has had on the rest of the world, in sectors ranging from art and manga to pop culture and entertainment.	B , E
4.	Students will be able to demonstrate their ideas and opinions logically, analytically, and critically through group discussions, literature readings, and written assignments on historical and cultural topics.	B , E

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Assignments	Mid-term	Final	Total.
1.	5%	10%	10%	25%
2.	5%	10%	10%	25%
3.	5%	10%	10%	25%
4.	5%	10%	10%	25%
Total.	20%	40%	40%	-

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Introduction & Foundations of Modern Japan - The transition from Edo to Meiji - Ukiyo-e and mass communication	Review/Written assignment 1	150分
2.	The Meiji Restoration and Foreign Influences - Industrialization and Westernization - The role of foreign experts in Meiji Japan	Review/Written assignment 2	150分
3.	The Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese War - Causes, key battles, and consequences	Review/Written assignment 3	150分
4.	World War I and Japan’s Early Empire - Japan’s role in World War I - Expansion of Japan’s imperial influence	Review/Written assignment 4	150分
5.	Japan’s Path to the Asia-Pacific War - The Manchurian Incident and the Second Sino-Japanese War - The attack on Pearl Harbor	Review/Written assignment 5	150分
6.	War and Society: Everyday Life During WWII - Mobilization and censorship - The roles of women and children in wartime Japan	Review/Written assignment 6	150分
6.		Preparation for the mid-term	100分
7.	The Atomic Bombings - Why were Hiroshima and Nagasaki chosen as targets? - The impact and aftermath of the bombings	Review/Written assignment 7	150分
7.		Preparation for the mid-term	100分
8.	Mid-term presentations - Students will present and elaborate on a topic of their choice from the first seven weeks	Review/Written assignment 8	150分
9.	Japan’s Postwar Reconstruction and US Occupation - The transformation of Tokyo - Industrial recovery	Review/Written assignment 9	150分
10.	Economic Miracle, Urbanization, and Environmental Challenges - Postwar economic growth and urban expansion - The rise of environmental concerns in modern Japan	Review/Written assignment 10	150分
11.	Festivals, Folklore, and Historical Memory - How festivals preserve history - Honoring the dead and ancestral spirits in Japanese tradition	Review/Written assignment 11	150分
11.		Preparation for the final	100分
12.	Japanese Literature – From Classical Poetry to Modern Fiction - The Tale of Genji, Kokoro and Haruki Murakami - Manga adaptations and their cultural significance	Review/Written assignment 12	150分
12.		Preparation for the final	100分
13.	Japan’s Demographic Crisis – Historical and Economic Perspectives - Aging population and its implications - Women’s rights and social challenges in contemporary Japan	Review/Written assignment 13	150分
13.		Preparation for the final	150分
14.	Students Presentations and Course Wrap-up	Review/Written assignment 14	150分
Total.	-	-	2650分

Goals and objectives (Other Courses)

A:Fundamental Mechanical Engineering	B:Advanced Mechanical Engineering	C:Environment and Materials Engineering	D:Chemistry and Biotechnology	E:Electrical Engineering and Robotics	G:Advanced Electronic Engineering	F:Information and Communications Engineering	L:Computer Science and Engineering	H:Urban Infrastructure and Environment

Language

English

Evaluation method and criteria

Grades are given based on:
1. Assignments (40%)
2. Mid-term (30%)
3. Final (30%)

Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.

ways of feedback	specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in the class

Textbooks and reference materials

Books recommended:

A Concise History of Japan
Cambridge University Press
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 052117872X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521178723

Prerequisites

Students are required to give a mid-term presentation and the final. They should be argumentative and written academically.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

Office hours: Monday to Friday between 12:30 and 13:20 in the lecturer's office & by appointment
Contact e-mail address: zam08580@shibaura-it.ac.jp

Regionally-oriented

Non-regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge

Active-learning course

About half of the classes are interactive

Course by professor with work experience

Work experience	Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
N/A	N/A

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals

4.QUALITY EDUCATION
10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
17.PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Last modified : Wed Mar 12 04:11:14 JST 2025