The island nation of Japan has intrigued outsiders for ages. That curiosity only increased when Japan shut itself off to the outside world for a period of over 2 centuries. In the mid-19th century Japan reopened, with an element of forceful persuasion by Western powers, particularly the United States. Today Japan is once again accessible and an extremely popular destination for tourists and travelers of all kinds. In this Living Law® course we investigate the origins of the Japanese nation, the evolution of its culture, and the role played by law in relation to both. From Mount Fuji to the former capital of Kyoto, and the futuristic metropolis of Tokyo, we trace the key milestones in the country’s development.

Japan is one of the most ethnically homogeneous societies on the planet, and also has the lowest rate of crime. Yet the cultural aversion to conflict did not prevent Imperial Japan from plunging into devastating war in the 1940s, taking a large part of Asia with it. Towards the end of the war, Japan became the location of two atomic bombs being unleashed, with devastating consequences for the population, and dire warnings for humankind.

Postwar Japan emerged with a pacifist constitution and restrictions on the general sovereign right to maintain armed forces. It became a leading exporter and the second largest economy in the world within just three decades. Here as well law and culture played a central role in the Japanese phoenix literally rising from the ashes. Today Japan is known for its dedicated contributions to the international community and creative trends like anime, manga and cosplay. Japan in the 21st century is facing some considerable challenges, particularly on account of its demographics. Geopolitical developments are also causing Japanese leaders to rethink the country’s 20th century model and security situation.