Reading Japan

Reading Japan is a book with a wide variety of different texts about Japanese society which will help students and academics to get an insight about Japanese way of thinking. 

Chapters contain dissertations written in English and Japanese about history, humor, education or gender problems in Japan. Texts in Japanese do not contain furigana, so they are mainly targeted to advanced or intermediate level students. Most difficult words are translated on foot of the page. 

Description by the publisher:

Reading Japan offers the student readings on geopolitics, education, language, Japanese-ness and ethnicity, gender and history, with the dual aims of broadening students’ understanding of Japan and of providing opportunities to read authentic Japanese texts.

Each chapter contains an essay in English, a selection of readings in Japanese, comprehensive vocabulary lists, discussion questions and a list of sources and additional readings.

Pitched at Intermediate to Advanced and B1-C1 level, this reader is not simply a language textbook; it offers students a chance to learn and think in depth about Japan as they build confidence in reading real-world Japanese texts.

Contents: 

Chapter 1 日本史：朝家と武家 - Japanese history: the imperial family and warriors |

Chapter 2 教育と近代日本の発展 - The development of education and modern Japan |

Chapter 3 日本語いろいろ：和製語と方言について - Japanese language: waseigo and dialects |

Chapter 4 ジェンダー について - Gender issues in Japan |

Chapter 5 笑いとは - Humour in Japan |

Chapter 6 日本人であることとエスニシティ - Japanese-ness and Ethnicity |

Chapter 7 東アジアの地政学 - Geopolitics in East Asia