Approximately 10 years have passed since the revised edition of this book was published, and so data such as graphs have been updated and the content of the “Reading Material” has been reviewed to bring it up to date. The number of graphs has also been increased to provide the learner with more fulfilling activities.

This book was created for the purpose of developing Japanese language proficiency in the areas of study and research, and the learners themselves develop various abilities through activities such as searching for themes related to a certain topic, doing research, considering ideas, and making presentations.

The topics should those that can be understood and shared by people from various countries, even if the learners’ backgrounds, interests, and specialties are diverse, and consequently, the book looks at the following five subjects: “Food Culture,” “Work,” Lifestyle and Religion,” “Recycling,” and “Gender.”

Changes in this edition:

“Information 1: Graphs” - All chapters:
1. Food Culture: 9 changes
2. Work: 7 changes
3. Lifestyle and Religion: 8 changes
4. Recycling: 5 changes
5. Gender: 10 changes
“Information (Data?) 2: Reading Material” -
1. Food Culture
5. Gender

There is no change in any of the chapters to the expressions to be learnt in the “Reading Material.”