Teens in Japan

For most Japanese teens, success in school is their primary focus. But despite the pressure to excel in their studies, Japanese teens also find time to go shopping, play baseball, or spend time on their cell phones. While Japanese teens value individual expression, they also find comfort in the traditions that have been a part of their culture for centuries. Teens in Japan is part of Global Connections, a series that uncovers the challenges, pastimes, and customs of teens around the world.

Children's Literature

Although Japan might seem a world away from the USA, a quick glance around a typical American high school would reveal myriad Japanese influences. From manga and anime to kanji (Chinese characters used in writing) and cell phones, Japan is everywhere! This book uses teenage life in Japan as a means of introducing Japanese culture to a middle school audience. The more traditional topics such as homes, holidays, and food are woven into the larger picture of the lives of Japanese teens—how they spend their free time, what they like to wear, and how they approach life. Particular emphasis is placed on the pressure these teens face to succeed in school, with the entire first chapter chronicling how Japanese youth study for intense entrance exams for both high school and college. A later chapter explains how Japanese youth must carefully balance a respect for the past with their trend-setting drive to shape the future. Photographs featuring Japanese teens provide excellent visuals for comparing and contrasting their lives with their American counterparts. Although the text is well-researched and readable, it lacks the voices of its subjects, Japanese teens. Reviewer: Leah Hanson