This is an age of ascendency of the Pacific Rim area, especially the Asian sector. Recent decades have seen unprecedented economic growth throughout this area. By examining Japan, the region's pre-eminent nation and harbinger of future developments, the larger topic of the Pacific Rim can be explored. It is particularly important to teach about Japan in U.S. schools because Japan and the United States are increasingly interdependent. Japan provides an example of modernization without excessive westernization but continues to be a misunderstood country. The study of Japan has an important multicultural dimension and multiple perspectives should be used at every level curriculum and in virtually all subjects. Useful strategies include: (1) requiring students to examine an issue from at least one other cultural perspective; (2) presenting an historical perspective whenever possible; (3) asking students to examine values implicit in certain practices of Japanese society; and (4) introducing the Japanese language. (BZ)