The Shortest History of JapanA definitive new history of Japan, where ancient meets cutting edge in unique and startling ways. Zen, haiku, martial arts, sushi, anime, manga, film, video games Japanese culture has long enriched our western way of life. Yet from a western perspective, Japan remains a remote island country that has long had a complicated relationship with the outside world. Even at the nearest point, Japanan archipelago strung like a necklace around the Asian