The Rise of Modern Japan

By: Mark J. Ravina, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark J. Ravina

Devastated by war, Japan in 1945 faced ruin as a major power. Yet within a quarter century it bounced back to become the second largest economy in the world after the United States. How? And why did the country’s economy then crash catastrophically in the 1990s, indefinitely stalling its seemingly unstoppable climb to world dominance? In 12 engaging, half-hour lectures, The Rise of Modern Japan answers these questions and more, profiling the changing fate of Japan and the shifting mood of its people.

Noted Japan expert Professor Mark J. Ravina of the University of Texas at Austin covers the politics, economics, and culture of the island nation since World War II - a conflict that saw the end of Japan’s dream of regional conquest, which Professor Ravina calls Empire 1.0. The country’s postwar leaders radically changed course, renouncing a strong military to pursue Empire 2.0 - Japan as an economic colossus.

In fascinating detail, The Rise of Modern Japan shows how the United States, by design and by accident, built Japan into an economic rival, especially for high-value products such as cars and consumer electronics. If Americans misjudged their protégé, then the Japanese eventually misjudged their own markets, precipitating a stock and real estate collapse starting in the 1990s. Then in 2001, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck northern Japan, leading to widespread destruction and the Fukushima nuclear power disaster.

Professor Ravina uses the plots of popular Japanese movies and novels to illustrate how people coped with their jolting experiences: first defeat in war, followed by institutional revolution, unprecedented prosperity, crushing economic reversal, and natural and nuclear disaster. Despite also facing social instability and demographic challenges, the Japanese remained as focused, hardworking, and resilient as ever.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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Concise and entertaining

Easy to understand overview of Japanese history in this critical postwar period. Informative, even for someone who lived there

Very interesting

Pro’s-good information in a concise and relevant format. The lectures were on point and focused on core issue.
Con’s-less politics and more culture!

poor Japanese accent

I was surprised that professor Mark Ravina had such a bad Japanese accent as he lived in Japan for so long. having myself lived there for 11 and 1/2 years and being fluent in the language, I sometimes found it distracting that he pronounced people and place names so wrong.

Even for the Japan knowledgeable, this was insightful.

Very complete and balanced overview of postwar Japanese history. A joy to listen to. In depth perspectives on well know events and a solid overarching context.

Good starter history

It does a good job of painting a broad image of Japan from WWII up until today. It doesn't cover everything in detail but it is a good starter.

Explains much not in the History books

I enjoyed listening to it, and explained much about WW2, and the problem of the Cold War.

Different Perspective

This book gave me a different perspective and overview on Japan I have not seen before.

A great introduction to modern Japan

I really enjoyed this book. The first part is a bit confusing especially for someone who don’t have the full context of World War II (i.e. me) but afterwards the author is really good at telling us how and why Japan has been so rapid at increasing its capacity to enhance its socioeconomic machine. I really enjoyed the book!

Great Course, Feels Abbreviated

This course is great but it feels at times like the lectures were plucked at random from a longer more thorough course, which I would have preferred since the material is so engaging. The fact that the professor doesn’t really ever introduce or conclude his lectures lends to this sense. Also, the intro music for each lecture is odd and a little off putting imo.

Excellent intro to post WW2 Japan

I enjoyed class intro to modern Japan. I would like to understand more about apparent conflict of socially liberal pop culture and socially conservative government. Also self-destructive policies on women in workplace and role in economy. Seemingly similar and different from USA.