Japan: A Modern History

by James L. McClain

A definitive and compelling history of Japan details the tumultuous political, economic, and social change, over four centures, that molded Japan into a modern world power by bringing to life the many historical figures who helped build a successful and strong nation.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, Japanese History, Japanese Literature, Asia, World History

512 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Andrew F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a thorough and comprehensive view into Japan’s national, economic, social, and political environment over the last 800 years. The information provided was vast enough to cover a wide array of topics while also deep enough to satiate one’s interest on the subject matter. It was extremely interesting to read about everything that was happening in Japan and Eastern Asia during the time America was winning its independence from Great Britain and finding its own footing as a fledgling nation and eventually a global superpower. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of recent Japanese history.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Naiyu, Gaikan" ~ pre-Meiji era saying, "troubles at home and abroad"

An aggressive West, an increasingly agitated warrior class, famine--these were the many problems Japan faced in the years leading up to the Meiji Restoration. The rapid modernization that followed is unrivaled in the history of non-western nations, and its consequences are still being felt in Japan and east Asia today.

McClain's book begins well before the "modern" Japan of the 19th century, with light treatment of the country's pre-history and eras leading up to the Tokugawa Shogunate. If you are already familiar with Japanese history it's a good refresher, and being written more recently has updated information on minority classes and groups older texts might gloss over (the eta/burakumin, Korean immigrants, Ainu, women, etc.). He has a couple sections on the development of Japanese feminism I had never read about before.

In the introduction there is a quote about how good history will reveal just how normal a people group is without erasing what makes them unique. Japan is usually associated with video games, anime, weird vending machines, and bizarre fetishes. While all these things can be found there, they are not what make it unique, nor do they make the Japanese any more strange than human beings elsewhere. Failing to look beyond such things is a shallow appreciation at best. Japan has a rich culture full of the new and old side by side, and there are lessons we can learn (both negative and positive) from its past.

[Brian Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent reference for anyone looking to learn about Japanese history dating between 1880 and 1990. Though it does not truly cover Japan moving through the new millennium its merits in detailing Japanese history through the Meiji Restoration, the Showa emperor, The Great Asian war, and post war restoration cannot go unnoticed. The book is extremely detailed and makes for an excellent text as it is also extremely well organized.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best textbook that I have ever read. It really challenges the idea that Japan is homogenous in thought and actions.

[Tim Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

For several years now I have been trying to learn more about parts of the world that weren't well covered in my years of grade school, high school, college history classes and even a Masters Degree in History. Areas like the Near East, Africa and the Far East that have millennia of written history that is utterly ignored except where they interacted with the main line of Western history as it is traced from ancient Egypt through Greece and Rome to the medieval Western Europe to the French and English empires to the United States. Sadly this quest has been mostly unsuccessful and this book illustrates most of the reasons why.

Firstly, as the title rightly indicates, it focuses entirely on the period beginning with Western contact in the late 1500a or early 1600s. Secondly, even the earliest part of this period is dispensed with in a few dozen pages, leaving the bulk of the book covering already familiar territory. Finally, the author is of Western extraction and offers a clearly Western perspective on Japanese culture and history. This is a very similar situation I have encountered in other books covering areas such as Persia and Central Asia.

With that said, Japan: A Modern History is a thorough and detailed survey of familiar territory. It offers insight into political, economic and cultural developments primarily since the Meiji Restoration. I was left wondering, however, how these developments might have been portrayed by a native Japanese or of other Asian heritage. I came away with a clearer picture of how Japan has come to align with the modern world, but not necessarily why.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if McClain has a clean and easy-to-read writing style, I really didn't enjoy some of the areas he summarized at or some of the ways he presented information. This felt like I was reading a Freshman introduction to the topic, although the timelines he gives at the beginning at each section were helpful as to giving the reader an overview of the topic before engaging in the details. This is really not for people who already have an in-depth knowledge of Japanese Modern History, and perhaps should be seen as something for those newly delving into the topic or perhaps wanting something more in-depth than the two pages often offered in textbooks. I'd even consider giving this to high schoolers who are interested in the topic.

[Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

While informative, this book could use a dash of structure. For instance in later chapters leading with party politics and government reforms is probably not the wisest idea unless these are the most interesting and driving forces of the period. With just a little bit of thought about how things were presented to the reader this could have been a much better book. Otherwise it does appear to be well researched.

[Alex Carlson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book #10 of 2025

This one is better as a resource guide than a straight-forward read, and it took me a long time to get through it. Some of the sections are quite compelling, especially the early chapters regarding the founding of Japan as a state and the Tokugawa Shogunate. Latter chapters were really dry and I found myself skipping ahead to get to something more interesting.

[Kiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to Japan, I wanted to get a good dose of the history of the country. This is incredibly in-depth (meant for students), which was maybe a bit more intense than I needed, but packs a ton of information about modern Japan (1600's to present).

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty typical history of Japan. It wasn't anything new or special, but it got the job done (albeit in too few pages in my opinion; more could have been done if the book was longer or more than one volume).

[Ginger K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot, felt a little arduous like reading a textbook, but I'm hoping this book has provided me with some basic understanding of Japan - political milestones, major cultural events - to be good context for more enjoyable literature that can capture mood and mindset.

[Miles Starkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Course material for Japanese history course.

Amazingly detailed journey through the modern era, from the Tokugawa Shogunate to 2000. Easy to follow

[Talent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter itself makes this book highly interesting. How did Japan become the first Asian nation to rapidly industrialize and even defeat a western power? What made Japan what it is today?

The author answers these questions and more with very well researched information. He doesn't tell a mythologic story as some history books do, but presents economic data in conjunction with quotes from primary sources. Opposing viewpoints within Japan throughout its history are also presented, illustrating the diverse opinions of a country often considered monolithic and consensus-based. Often these conflicting opinions led to civil war. The cultural background and geography of Japan are briefly touched on to give us context.

Overall, a highly recommended read for those interested in the modern history of Japan.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read three great history books in my life: William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany, Stanley Karnow's Vietnam: A History and now Japan: A Modern History.

I picked it up to get some basic background before traveling to Tokyo and although I didn't finish it before my trip, it wasn't because I wasn't interested (just a less dedicated reader than I'd like to be). This book covers in what feels like just the right level of detail over the history of Japan from the first century onward. It covers the macro changes in the society of the nation and explains the path it took over the many centuries to arrive where it is today.

Japan is a fascinating topic in and of itself and doesn't require a planned trip to be interested. So if you're interested in the world at large, this is well worth your time.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry but a fine overview of Japanese history, cultural aspects included, from the time of the shoguns' power to the 1980s. A helpful reference book (which is why I browsed around in it) for understanding what was going on in the different time periods. Timelines and index make this a useful book to skim for specifics.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a great book giving you a concise but still deep inquiry into the Modern History of Japan. A great feature of this book is before the beginning of each new section is that McClain gives you a list of the events that take place during the decades he is talking about.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text for a Modern Japanese History class.

[Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few textbooks from undergrad that I kept. It doesn't read like a textbook, but like a story. Excellent history and overview of Japan.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative but repetitive and dry.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent book. Cover just enough of everything to be a good book for someone doing a basic history of Japan or wants just a little more info. Readable.