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, but not mandatory. 'History of Japan II' examines modern Japanese history, tracing political, social, and cultural transformations from the late Edo period through the 20th century and into the contemporary era. The course begins by assessing Edo Japan as a cultural foundation for Japanese modernity, with particular attention paid to the Tokugawa system and the role of popular culture such as ukiyo-e. The course then explores Japan’s transition to being a 'modern' country, looking at factors and events including the Meiji Restoration, foreign influences on Meiji Japan, imperial expansion in the early 20th century, and the tensions between democracy and militarism in the Taisho and early Showa periods. Major historical turning points such as World War II and the atomic bombings are examined in terms of their causes, immediate effects, and long-term consequences. Considering the postwar period, the course focuses on Japan’s reconstruction under U.S. occupation and the emergence of the country's distinctive social and cultural models, including characteristically Japanese business practices and ideas of harmony and loyalty within companies. Moving into the late 20th century, the course examines manga and anime as key forms of cultural expression and as lenses through which modern Japanese history can be understood. Modalities of the course include lectures, discussions, writing assignments, and student presentations, all designed to encourage students to critically engage with Japan’s modern history and culture from a range of perspectives.

Purpose of class

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive and critically informed understanding of modern Japanese history, positioning the late Edo period as a cultural starting point and tracing Japan’s historical development from the end of the Tokugawa era to the present. Building on an examination of the political, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Tokugawa Japan, the course explores key historical turning points including the Meiji Restoration, modernisation, and World War II. It then examines Japan’s postwar reconstruction and the formation of the country's distinctive social and business values that endure to the present day. By engaging with literature, art, folklore, and popular culture - including ukiyo-e, manga and anime - students will explore how history has been represented, preserved, and reinterpreted in modern and contemporary Japan. Through lectures, discussions, and student presentations, this course aims to develop students’ historical awareness, critical reading skills, and ability to analyze historical events and cultural texts from multiple perspectives.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	Students will be able to recall and explain modern Japanese history from the late Edo period to contemporary Japan, including its 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 in shaping 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 how Japan has been represented and received globally, particularly in terms of Japanese 'corporate culture' and pop culture.	B , E
4.	Students will gain the ability to critically analyse course materials and other historical and contemporary documents, and to synthesise information from various sources.	B , E
5.	Students will be able to present their ideas and opinions clearly and logically, in formats such as group discussions, student presentations, and writing assignments on historical and cultural topics.

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

	Class Participations and Assignments	Mid-term	Final	Total.
1.	5%	5%	5%	15%
2.	5%	5%	5%	15%
3.	5%	5%	5%	15%
4.	10%	5%	5%	20%
5.	15%	10%	10%	35%
Total.	40%	30%	30%	-

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Introduction: Your Image of Japan, Edo as the Cultural Starting Point, Ukiyo-e as Mass Media	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
2.	The Tokugawa system: politics, society, economy, and culture	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
3.	Building Stability — The Political and Philosophical Foundations of Tokugawa Japan	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
4.	The Meiji Restoration and Foreign Influences	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
5.	Modernization and Empire — Two Faces of Meiji Japan	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
6.	Taisho Democracy and Militarism	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
7.	World War II and The Atomic Bombings	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
8.	Mid-term Review: presentations and discussion	Preparation	60分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
9.	Japan’s Postwar Reconstruction and US Occupation	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
10.	War Perspectives and Robots: Special Lecture	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
11.	Harmony, Loyalty, and Growth: The Japanese Way of Business	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
12.	Manga and Anime as Modern Japanese History	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
13.	Manga Golden Age (1990–1997) & the Industry Shift after 2000	Preparation	45分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
14.	Final presentations and discussions	Preparation	60分
		Review	60分
		Assignments	180分
Total.	-	-	4020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. Class Participations and 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: 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 : Tue Mar 03 16:08:43 JST 2026