This is the first part of the complete reprint of Japan Illustrated 1934-1938, the most important photographic yearbook of Japan in the pre-WW2 period. With the advice of Kentaro Kaneko, statesman and diplomat, and Miles Walter Vaughn, an influential American journalist in Japan, it was launched by Nippon Dempo News Agency (now called Dentsu), the leading press and advertisement agency, and played an important role to promote Japan and improve the cultural image of the country which was being criticised by Western society for military aggression.

Each yearbook, which includes many photos and plate sections, describes current affairs and holds the latest trade data. There is a ‘General Guide for Foreign Travellers’, which includes detailed information of famous tourist places to visit and the regions of Japan, and introduces local culture and seasonal events. There are also chapters about the Japanese colonies like South Sea Islands, Taiwan, Chosen, Karafuto, and Manchu. Each yearly volume carries advertisements of more than 200 companies from where some hard-to-find data of Japanese business activities of the time can be obtained. Although the yearbook lasted only a few years, it covered one of the most interesting period of Japanese modern history, and its complete reprint will provide scholars and students of the subject with valuable source both textually and visually.

Professor Reiko Tsuchiya is based at the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University, Japan