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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thought-provoking essays; classroom-ready lesson plans; an area for asking and answering questions; resources including historical documents, maps and images; and member profiles.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.

Resource: Ryo Asano

by About Japan Editors, January 24, 2012
Ryo Asano, vice principal of an elementary school in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, discusses life at his school in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. The interview took place in July, 2011.

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Resource: Flower Girl and Page

by About Japan Editors, January 27, 2012
Picture of a flower girl and page in formal clothing for a wedding ceremony in Ehime, Japan in 1974.

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Resource: Junko Makuta Interview

by About Japan Editors, January 09, 2012
Junko Makuta of the Fukushima Interanational Association talks about life in Fukushima after the earthquake on March 11.

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Resource: open air market Takayama

by About Japan Editors, October 20, 2011
This picture illustrates a typical open air market in Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture.

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

Grade Level: Elementary,Secondary
Subject Area: Science & Environmental Science
by Yen Pham, April 01, 2009
Hayao Miyazaki's much beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro, is used to spark discussion about daily energy-saving practices.

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Resource: Neighbors 1974

by About Japan Editors, January 26, 2012
Neighborhood ladies preparing for the wedding - Nomura, Ehime Prefecture, November 1974

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Education Programs are made possible by generous funding from The Freeman Foundation.

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.

About Japan: A Teacher’s Resource is generously funded, in part, by a three-year grant from the International Research and Studies (IRS) Program in the Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education (P017A100018).

Student and Family Programs are supported by the New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.