Understanding Japanese Society by Joy Hendry
* the effects of the Asian crisis and recession in Japan
* the emergence of the millennial cults such as the Aum Shinrikyo
* major advances in sport and leisure such as the 2002 World Cup and the amazing global cultural success of Pokemon and Japanese animation and computer games
* the tumultuous changes of the Japanese ruling elite
* the Ainu and other Japanese minorities
* debates about the future of the Japanese constitution and the resurgence of nationalism and militarism.