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.

Excellent at every level

As a 35 year resident and student of Japanese culture I found Ravina's analysis and synopsis of modern Japanese history to be refreshing and very insightful. Never gets too bogged down in details yet offer serious insights into the events. Big plus, Ravina actually knows how to pronounced Japanese names and places!!

Great Course

Great dive into a seldom explored aspect of Japan.
The cultural and political segments compliment each other very well. This even covers Fukushima and other recent events. Great stuff.

Last few chapters worth the whole course

Some of the historical bits get a little too wonky, especially compared to the author’s other general Japan course. But the last chapters are far more engaging for a general audience.