Book Review and Introduction: Atlas of Japan

Summary

This is an academic book review of the Atlas of Japan — physical, Economical and Social —, published in 1970 by the International Society for Educational Information. The atlas, subsidized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed to accurately introduce Japan's actual conditions to overseas audiences. It was edited by Ryūjirō Ishida, with contributions from multiple specialists in their respective fields. The main body consists of 73 multi-colored maps (at scales from 1:4,000,000 to 1:10,000,000) and 64 pages of explanatory text in English, French, and Spanish. The review notes that the atlas surpasses previous commercial publications in source material scrutiny, cartographic expression, and reproduction techniques. The selection and composition of map plates are generally appropriate, with particular commendation for the clear presentation of Japan's official position on territorial issues such as the Northern Territories. While a few plates show mismatches between content density and map scale, the overall composition is unified and successfully presents Japan's actual conditions in a fair manner. The review concludes that, in the absence of a Japanese national atlas, this publication will serve as a quasi-national atlas for overseas audiences for the foreseeable future.