This comprehensive book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about Japan, including instructors wanting a textbook for a college course on the country. Many features make this book attractive. Ellington's style is clear and concise, and he provides short conclusions for each chapter, followed by a helpful list of sources. Black-and-white photographs complement the written text. The chapters have sidebars that provide additional illumination by spotlighting subjects . . . The author's descriptions provide just the right detail . . . There is a brief glossary, and an excellent 40-page section on facts and statistics concerning Japan. . . . This book is a fine source of information about Japan, superior to other books on the subject. - ARBAonline
Intended for students and general readers, this introduction to Japan combines narrative chapters on history, geography, politics, economics, and culture with reference tools including a glossary, a chronology of key historical developments up to the present, appendices of facts and figures, a list of holidays, and an annotated bibliography of recommended works on Japan. An annotated list of Japan and American organizations encompasses business and economic organizations, culture, education, government, consulates, and tourism organizations. The book is illustrated with mainly contemporary b&w photos, illustrations, and political cartoons. - Reference & Research Book News
Japan has chapters on geography, history, government, economy, society, culture, and contemporary issues. The discussion of history is extremely thorough. . . .Other interesting sections include a piece on early Japanese music known as gagaku, originally imported from the Imperial Court of China, used as a political tool to stress the importance of the emperor and his court in Japan. . . .The series is highly recommended for college and university collections as well as public libraries. Images provided in the books will be better in the e-book versions. Good indexes, bibliographies, and lists of online sources, as well as chronologies, all add to the volumes' usefulness. The Global Studies Handbook series has been a good collection of titles covering a number of countries around the world. This expanded and more thorough series will only enhance the use. - Booklist
Overall, both books nicely describe the main features of those countries and provide a valuable resource for travelers, businesspeople, and beginning students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates, general readers, and professionals. This title has been reviewed jointly with The Koreas, edited by Mary E. Connor. - Choice
