About Japan, A teacher's resource

welcome.

This site provides educators and specialists in Japan Studies a space for sharing, discussing and developing teaching ideas and resources about Japan, especially as they relate to K-12 classrooms. The site features thought-provoking essays; classroom-ready lesson plans; an area for asking and answering questions; resources including historical documents, maps and images; and member profiles. In addition to user-generated content, the editorial team will develop original materials organized around different themes.  We invite you to contribute materials of your own and join the discussion.

Click here for an essay about the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, which were the first Olympics hosted outside of North America or Europe.

Featured Content

Resource: Canned Whale Meat


Eating whale, a controversial issue, is permitted in Japan. In fact, whale meat provided a key source of cheap protein in the early postwar period. A discussion of this picture can be used as an entry point to discussing issues of cultural taboos, cultural relativism, and the extent to which the debate over the protection of whales is based on "science" vs. culturally ingrained ideas.

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Resource: Timeline of Global Climate Action


From the introduction of the environment as a UN problem in 1968 to efforts at reaching a post-Kyoto settlement, read on for a brief timeline of international action for environmental protection. Please add to the conversation and suggest other important events by using the "discuss" feature.

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Resource: The Japanese Medical System


This resource offers a brief overview of the health care system in Japan, gives links to relevant Japanese and American news articles, and suggests thought questions to use in the classroom. The resource is particularly useful for classes discussing health care reform.

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Resource: Origami Hina Doll Instructions


These easy-to-follow instructions show how to make origami hina dolls to celebrate Hinamatsuri, or the Doll Festival.

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Lesson: Living Efficiently: Daily Energy-Saving Practices from Totoro and Today

Grade Level: Elementary,Secondary
Subject Area: Science & Environmental Science

Hayao Miyazaki's much beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro, is used to spark discussion about daily energy-saving practices.

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Additional support is provided by The Norinchukin Foundation, Inc., Chris A. Wachenheim, Joshua N. Solomon, Jon T. Hutcheson, Lesley Nan Haberman, Joshua S. Levine and Nozomi Terao.

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