In a new edition of his introductory survey of contemporary Japan, Roger Buckley traces the nation's history from its surrender in August 1945 to the present day. The revised edition, which has been rewritten to take account of Japan's changing fortunes in the 1990s, describes the recent setbacks in its economic and financial sectors and examines the major shifts in the political sphere. Despite the current challenges to Japan's prosperity, this is a remarkable story of post-war resurgence, material progress and social stability.