- •1. Cultural background: From Primitive to Ancient Times.
- •2. Cultural background: The Age of Feudalism First Half (Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi Momoyama Periods)
- •3. Culture Background: The Age of Feudalism The Latter Half (Azuchi Momoyama, Edo)
- •4. Cultural Background: The Modern Age (Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods)
- •5. Jeography of Japan: The Land and its description, climate.
- •6. Geography of Japan: Agriculture and Natural Resourses.
- •7. Diversity and Change of Japanese Society.
- •8. The Group and the Individual: what is the difference?
- •9. The Role of Woman in Japanese Society.
- •10. The Political Heritage
- •11. Japanese Government: Organs of Government in Japan.
- •12. Japanese Government: The Constitution of Japan.
- •13. Japanese Government: The Emperor and the National Diet, their functions.
- •14. Japanese Government: The procedure of Elections.
- •15. Japanese Government: Transfer of Political Power.
- •16. Japanese Government: The Cabinet.
- •17. Japanese Government: The Law Courts.
- •18. The History of the Japanese Economy (the premodern Background, the prewar Economy, the postwar Economy).
- •20. Banking and finance. The Appreciation of the Yen, Japanese Yen, Dollar, Euro: similarities and differences.
- •21. The Japanese Economy: Foreign Trade.
- •22. The Japanese Economy: Transport and communications in Japan.
- •23. Japan: a Well-Educated Society, History of Japanese Education.
- •24. Education in Japan: The “Nesting” of Children. Different stages of Japanese education. Costs and benefits of the system.
- •25. Textbook authorization system
- •26. Strict School Rules
- •Elementary School
- •Lower-Secondary School
- •Special Education
- •Upper-Secondary School
- •After-School Education
- •28. Festivals New Year (正月 Shōgatsu)?)
- •Doll Festival (雛祭り?) Date: March 3
- •29. Japanese Sports: Soccer, Baseball, Sumo Wrestling, Tennis, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Kyudo.
- •30.Different kinds of religion in Japan (Buddhism, Shintoism, belief in Jizo, Shugendo).
- •31. Language and Literature: The Japanese Language, Early Literature, Heian Literature.
- •32. Language and Literature: Medieval Literature, Tokugawa Literature, Modern Literature.
- •33. Japanese Art: Pictorial art before 1600.
- •34. Japanese Art: Pictorial art from 1600.
- •35. Japanese Art: Sculpture.
- •36. Decorative Arts
- •37. Japanese Art: Dance.
- •38. Japanese Art: Music.
- •39. Theater.
- •40. Foods of the japanese
10. The Political Heritage
Throughout Japan's history, the role of the emperor shifted in regards to political power. The only times in which the emperor's role was extremely significant was until the age of the shogun and from the end of the Meiji Restoration until World War II. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, the emperor had little to no power at all. In short, the emperor was a “figurehead.” Figureheads are leaders that have no power. All of the power lied within the hands of the shogun which was a military leader. In a sense, think of a country in which the president/prime minister does not have any power and the power lies in the hands of the general or commander in charge of the country's military and law enforcement.
Long before there was the shogun, the emperor had the mandate from the sun goddess Amaterasu. The emperor was to be worshiped as a living god. Then, power would be split between the emperor and the shogun. The shogun took care of all military and security affairs. However, the shogun gradually took all the power. Thus, the emperor had become a figurehead in regards to religion and symbolism.
After the Meiji Restoration, power was restored to the emperor. The reign of the shoguns and daimyos had ended. Similar to Chinese culture in the past, the emperor of Japan had the mandate from Heaven. The emperor was to be revered like a god. But, the “divinity” of being emperor was taken away after World War II. After World War I, General Tojo wanted to take over the Pacific. Along with Germany and Italy, Japan joined and the three became known as the Axis Powers. Between those two eras, the Emperor of Japan had power over military and political affairs.
After World War II, there was the Constitution of Japan that was implemented into action. As a result, the role of Japan's emperor has been reduced. In short, the role of the emperor is dictated by the constitution.
The role of the emperor duties were: convocation of the Diet, dissolution of Japan's House of Representatives, awarding honors, performing ceremonial functions, etc. But, that was considered to be under the Meiji Constitution.
However, the role of the emperor has returned to that of a figurehead. This is because the emperor had lost political power after World War II. The status of “divinity” is no longer with the Emperor of Japan. The emperor and his family are given a yearly allowance by the government. However, unlike the British Royal Family, the emperor and his family are supposed to live a frugal lifestyle.
Long ago, the emperor was in charge of both military and civil affairs. With the shogun around, the emperor took care of civil affairs. Then, the emperor lost all power. For a few decades, the emperor regained status of being a divine god. After World War II, the emperor lost power again. However, it is rather difficult to peer into the emperor's daily life as he and his family are private. But, the emperor's current role is to be a symbol to the people.