A basic competent survey up to the time of writing in the 1960s ( )

In any history of this extraordinary country, the response to the intrusion by the West must be taken into account. [The author]'s excellent history shows how this has affected Japan as she emerged as a modern state during the last century and went on to become a world power. He describes the Pacific war and its aftermath – the Occupation – and analyses the new Japan that has come into being since the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951.

International Affairs – 'There has long been a need for a general survey of Japanese history. This book...admirably fills the gap...[The author] has provided a succinct, well-written and accurate account.'