Reviews: Atlas of Japan - Physical, economic and social

Summary

This text consists of three book reviews, covering recent works in regional studies, planning, and archaeology. The first review discusses the Atlas of Japan, edited by Isida, which provides 73 thematic maps with English lettering and explanatory texts in English, French, and Spanish, addressing the need for a reliable Japanese atlas readable by Western audiences. It also reviews Martin Schwind's Das Japanische Inselreich, Volume I, a comprehensive land description of Japan's physical geography—including geology, climate, soils, vegetation, fauna, and natural landscapes—marked by detailed data, abundant illustrations, and the author's deep familiarity with the country. The second review examines the Danish National Planning Committee Secretariat's publication Landsplanlægning: Status og Fremtidsperspektiver, which surveys changes in Denmark's economy, agriculture, urbanization, and land use since World War II, evaluates planning programs and administrative reforms, and advocates flexible planning attuned to human scale. The third review appraises Leo Deuel's Flights into Yesterday: The Story of Aerial Archaeology, which traces the century-long development of aerial archaeology, emphasizes the contributions of pioneering individuals, and highlights the growing role of aerial photography and remote sensing in archaeological research. Collectively, the reviewed works provide valuable insights and resources for scholars in geography, planning, and archaeology.