An attack by Japanese naval aircraft on the USS "Panay" in 1937, which the Japanese government declared accidental and for which it paid compensation, caused a crisis in U.S.-Japanese relations. A little-known dimension of the incident was the expression of spontaneous sympathy and apologies by Japanese citizens to the U.S. embassy in…

Students have frequently expressed curiosity about the way past events involving the United States were viewed by other nations. For instance, students have often wondered how World War II is presented to students in Germany, or what students in Japan learn about the dropping of the atomic bombs. To help his students look at events from a global…

Disagrees with the tone and conclusions of the special section on United States-Japan relations in the November-December, 1991 issue. Contends that the national interests of the United States were ignored to avoid "Japan Bashing" over trade and other economic issues. Calls for a more realistic view of Japan's trade policies toward the…

In 1852, Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the U.S. Navy sailed to Japan with instructions to deliver a letter from President Millard Fillmore to the Emperor. The letter eventually led to the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa and the opening of Japan to trade with Western nations. The State Department's letter book copy of the letter is featured in this…

Presents a classroom lesson on the only land battle between U.S. and Japanese forces during World War II. Utilizes information from the National Register of Historic Places. Includes photographs, maps, and student readings. (CFR)

Presents reviews of three instructional resources on World War II. Includes a multimedia kit based on newspapers and a videotape, an illustrated book on issues surrounding the bombing of Hiroshima, and a diary of a grade school teacher's experiences in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. (CFR)

Discusses contact between the United States and Japan. Comments that the history of the relationship is a long one that becomes increasingly interdependent. Describes the relationship as characterized by a disparity of power and interest now shifting toward Japan. Emphasizes that changes in the relationship have always depended on the world…

Describes a National History Day project based on students' grandmothers' experiences with prisoner of war communications during World War II. Relates how brief communications from prisoners were relayed to soldiers families through U.S. War Department channels. Discusses development of historical research and interpretation skills. (CFR)