Asia today is the center of tremendous growth. With the continued rise of China and the influential roles of Japan and South Korea in international affairs, it is no wonder that the 21st century has been dubbed the Asian century. Outside of these influential political actors, one also see the growing political significance of Southeast Asia in…

Describes the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, giving particular attention to its outstanding collection of Japanese artifacts. The exhibit contains a wide variety of household arts and crafts, as well as sketches by Edward S. Morse showing daily life in nineteenth century Japan. (AM)

By viewing approximately two dozen Japanese television commercials, secondary students enrolled in an area studies course about Japan were able to generate tones and impressions reflecting many important experiences of the Japanese society that the course would later explore in more detail. The introductory lesson was very successful. (RM)

Discusses how the global approach can be used to teach about Japanese culture in elementary and secondary social studies classes. Students compare and contrast Japanese and American cultures. Methods for helping students to become familiar with aspects of Japanese culture are included. (AM)

Lists a selection of books about the Pacific Rim area for social studies teachers who wish to add to their knowledge of the area. Includes selections on Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Describes and gives a brief critique of each book. (DK)

Presents an interdisciplinary unit for fourth-grade students that compares the Tokaido Road in Japan to Interstate I-75 in Michigan; students learned about the history and geography of the Tokaido Road, examined the travel prints of Ando Hiroshige, and created their own travel prints and haikus. Gives three accompanying handouts. (CMK)

Illustrates a way social studies teachers can use translation exercises to teach about a geographic region. Uses translations of haiku poetry for this purpose. Students perceive and translate a haiku differently thus experiencing firsthand a fundamental objective of social studies which is understanding differences in perspectives. (GG)

Describes an interdisciplinary lesson consisting of seven activities for intermediate or middle level students. Focuses on calculating monetary exchanges between the United States and Japan, specifically the prices of real estate and other items, and comparing the economies and cultures of the two countries. Gives four activity sheets. (CMK)

Relates how children in Japan become members of Japanese society by learning the cultural and social norms from family, school, community, and the nation itself. Suggests four teaching activities that will help U.S. students understand Japanese culture and reflect upon their own lives and responsibilities. (CMK)

Describes one teacher's experience teaching English in Japan, and the effect of this experience on his current teaching style in an American high school. Notes that he now injects Japanese culture into class discussion and frequently compares and contrasts English literature, language and cultural history with that of Japanese. (JG)

Travel allows teachers to gather the data and realia to enliven history or global education in the classroom. In this special issue teachers describe personal travel experiences to many parts of the globe. Points of interest, itineraries, budgets, and artifacts collected are discussed. (RM)

Provides a model lesson from the book "Science/Technology/Society: Model Lessons for Secondary Social Studies Classes." Outlines Japan's campaign in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to rid itself of guns and return to swords. Provides background information and student handouts. (RW)

Points out the interdependence of the United States and Japan and identifies seven ERIC resources that can be used by educators in implementing instruction about Japan in the classroom. Summarizes these materials and provides ordering information. (KO)

Describes the 1997 Keizai Koho Center Fellowship study tour of Japan in which a group of American, Australian, Canadian, and English educators visited two Japanese elementary schools. Compares the structure, classroom activities, and curriculum of each elementary school in detail and reflects upon the future trends in Japanese education. (CMK)

Explores the role of rice in Japanese culture by presenting historical background and teaching activities in a variety of categories, such as language, sociology, history, and contemporary politics. Suggests teachers create cross-cultural comparisons; for example, the role of corn in the United States. Provides a list of teacher resources. (CMK)