This collection of essays explores teaching in Japan as it relates to contemporary social change in the past two decades. The collection explores day-to-day teaching in Japan from the teacher's erspective relying on first hand accounts by those within the system.

Nobuo K. Shimahara is a professor of education and anthropology at the Graduate School of Education and a member of the faculty of the Graduate School, Rutgers University. He has taught at Rutgers University since 1968 and served as a visiting professor at several universities, including the University of Tokyo.

Preface Part One: Teaching and Current Issues Chapter 1: Introduction: The Background Chapter 2: Culture and Teaching in Japan Chapter 3: Teacher Education and Social Change Chapter 4: Professional Development: Professional Strategies Part Two: Ethnography of Learning to Teach Chapter 5: Learning to Teach in Japanese Schools, with Akira Sakai Chapter 6: Cultural Theory of Teaching and Practice, with Akira Sakai Chapter 7: Occupational Socialization of Beginning Teachers, with Akira Sakai Epilogue: A Critical Reflection References Author Profile