Eastern Phoenix: Japan Since 1945

This book is an introductory textbook for my MA in Japanese language and society. It IS a textbook, so anyone expecting an insightful or interesting read is going to be disappointed.There is very little depth of coverage, and the book exists as a roughshod "bringing you up to view" on Japan since 1945. Economy, history, population, social conventions...all of these are touched on in brief as well as most major topics of interest including the formation of the major political parties, the elections and resignations of Prime Ministers and the formation and influence of the yakuza.A very thin and easily portable book, I am glad to have read it before beginning a more detailed study of Japan.