Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
III. Modernisation and Transformation of Japan and Southeast
Asia
A. Japan
A1 To what extent was Japan a modernised nation in the
early 20th century?
No. of periods required:
8 (Each period lasts for 40 minutes.)
1. Background
a. Students are in S6 and their learning ability is above average in general.
b. They are familiar with group discussion and presentation.
c. They have already got some basic thinking skills like mindmaping, data collection and
analysis of data.
d. Students have some basic ideas about the concept of modernisation.
e. Students do not have basic ideas about the political, social, economic and cultural conditions
of Japan in the early 20th century.
2. Objectives
a. To illustrate with a mindmap the political, social, economic and cultural conditions of Japan
in the early 20th century.
b. To deepen students’ understanding of the concept of modernisation.
c. To equip students with the skills in illustrating personal standpoint with convincing
arguments and enhance their skills in data collection, synthesis and analysis.
d. To help students understand the importance of respect and acceptance of others’ opinions
through cooperative learning.
3. Pedagogies
a. Activity 1: Mindmapping - Conditions of the early 20th century Japan (1 teaching period)
i. Introduction: teachers are advised to give a brief introduction on various aspects of the
early 20th century Japan, including political, social, economic and cultural areas.
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Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
ii. Complete Worksheet 1 with the help of materials in the textbook and other relevant
reading materials.
iii. Group discussion: Discuss with group members to draw a mindmap representing the
group’s ideas on a large poster.
iv. Group presentation: students present what they have discussed.
v. Conclusion by the teacher.
b. Activity 2: Video Show - "Tradition and Modernisation of Japan" (1 teaching period)
i. Show the video to students.
ii. Ask students to finish Worksheet 2.
iii. Ask students to discuss the answers of Worksheet 2A.
iv. Ask 2 to 3 groups to present their concluding answers.
v. Ask students to complete Worksheet 2B.
vi. Conclusion by the teacher.
c. Activity 3: Debate (4 teaching periods)
Motion: ‘Japan, to a large extent, was a modernised nation in the early 20th century.’
i. Introduction (2 teaching periods)
• All students are asked to finish the Worksheet 3A before grouping.
• Explain the rules and flow of debate competition.
• Grouping:
• 2 groups are to be chosen – the Affirmative team and the Negative team
• Each team consists of 8 students - The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Last Speakers & 3
members of the think factory.
• Other students are to group into 4 teams of judges (no. of judges in each team: 5-6-6-6 )
• All students’ performance is to be based on the criteria for assessing the competition the key is to judge whether the contestants understand the extent that Japan became a
modernised nation by the early 20th century (See Worksheet 3B)
ii. The debate (2 teaching periods)
Students are asked to complete the table in groups to prepare for the debate before the
lesson. (See Worksheet 3C)
• Step 1: the 1st and 2nd Speakers of the Affirmative team each speaks for 3 minutes
• Step 2: the 1st and 2nd Speakers of the Negative team each speaks for 3 minutes
• Step 3: the 3rd and 4th Speakers of the Affirmative team each speaks for 2 minutes
• Step 4: the 3rd and 4th Speakers of the Negative team each speaks for 2 minutes
• Step 5: the Affirmative team and the teacher can raise 2 questions for the Negative
Team and the Negative Team can discuss to answer the questions for 1 minute and
then answer the questions.
• Step 6: the Negative team and the teacher can raise 2 questions for the Affirmative
Team and the Affirmative Team can discuss the questions for 1 minute and then
answer the questions.
• Step 7: the Last Speaker of the Affirmative team makes a conclusion for 3 minutes
ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia ∣ Page65
Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
• Step 8: the Last Speaker of the Negative team makes a conclusion for 3 minutes
• Step 9: BREAK (5 minutes) - Each team needs to choose the best speaker of their
team and provide sound evidence to support their choice. 4 groups of judges need to
choose the winning team and provide sound evidence to support their choice. (See
Worksheets 3D & 3E)
• Step 10: Teacher’s conclusion
d. Activty 4: Follow-up Essay Writing Task
i. Students are asked to write an essay ‘To what extent did Japan become a modernised
nation by the early 20th century?’
ii. Teachers are advised to guide students to study the assessment criteria and to complete
the essay based on the criteria, so that they have a clear understanding of the level
marking of essay writing. (See Worksheet 4)
4. Expected outcome/difficulties
a. Students will have good understanding about the concept of ‘modernisation’ and also the
political, social, economic and cultural conditions of Japan in the early 20th century.
b. Students’ skills in illustrating personal standpoint with convincing arguments, data collection,
synthesis and analysis will be enhanced.
c. Students will have a deeper understanding of the importance of respect and acceptance of
others’ opinions through cooperative learning.
d. Students may not be able to evaluate the extent to which Japan became modernised by
judging and comparing the modernised and traditional conditions in different aspects.
Page66 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia
Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Worksheet 1
Mindmapping - The early 20th century Japan
Draw a mindmap to show the political, social, economic and cultural conditions of Japan in the
early 20th century. Then discuss with your members to draw a mindmap representing the ideas of
your group on a large poster.
Mindmap – Japan in the early 20th century
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To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Japan
Worksheet 2A
Part A: Video Show - "Tradition and Modernisation of Japan"
Watch the video about the early 20th century Japan carefully and then answer the following
questions.
What are the traditional and western elements shown in the video? Jot down evidences of these
elements in the table below.
Traditional elements
Western elements
• Kimono
• Western suits and dresses
• Traidtional hairstyle of women
• Western hairstyle
• Traditional apartments
• Motor cars, railways
• Western buildings and department stores
a. If you were a woman at that time, how would you feel about the modernisation of Japan?
Explain your answer.
Freeanswer
b. If you were a worker at that time, what would you do to get a better livelihood? Explain your
answer.
Freeanswer
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Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
c. If you were a government leader at that time, what problems would you face? How would you
tackle the problems?
Freeanswer
d. Do you agree that Japan was modernised in the early 20th century? Explain your answer with
reference to the video and using your own knowledge.
Freeanswer
ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia ∣ Page69
Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Worksheet 2B
Part B: Video Show - "Tradition and Modernisation of Japan"
Traditional elements
Political
Aspect
Social Aspect
Economic
Aspect
Cultural Aspect
Page70 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia
Western elements
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Japan
Worksheet 3A
Knowledge deepening
Study the textbook, notes and any other supplementary information materials and then fill in the
relevant information about different roles in the modernization of Japan in the early 20th century.
Answers for reference
Roles played
by the
government
• Initiator/leader : to lead different parties in the modernization of the nation
Roles played
by merchants
• Supporter/fund provider: to support the government in the modernization
reforms in terms of provision of funds, investments, etc.
• Beneficiary: to get benefits from the modernization such as increasing
chances of investments, etc.
Roles played
by workers
• Supporter/follower: to support the government in the implementation of
reform measures
• Beneficiary: to get benefits from the modernization such as increasing
chances of employment, etc.
Roles played
by peasants
• Supporter/follower: to support the government in the implementation of
reform measures
• Beneficiary: to get more profits from agriculture due to the growth of
economy, etc.
Roles played
by teachers
• Follower: to support the government in the implementation of reform
measures
• Beneficiary: to work in a better working condition due to the increasing
investment in education, etc.
Roles played
by students
• Follower: to support the government in the implementation of reform
measures
• Beneficiary: to get learning in a better learning environment due to the
increasing investment in education, etc.
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Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Roles played
by parents
• Follower: to support the government in the implementation of reform
measures
• Beneficiary: to live in a better living environment due to the increasing input
of social welfare, etc.
Roles played
by sons and
daughters
• Beneficiary: to live in a better living environment due to the increasing input
of social welfare, etc
Page72 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia
Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Worksheet 3B
Assessment Criteria (for Judges)
Topic of Debate: ‘Japan, to a large extent, was a modernised nation
in the early 20th century.’
Upper:
• Clear standpoint with strong evidence/arguments
• Showing a firm grasp of the gist of the question — the extent Japan became a modernised
nation by the early 20th century
• Effective use of counter arguments to rebut
• Clearly expressed, organised, persuasive and coherent
Average:
• Clear standpoint with evidence/arguments
• Showing a clear grasp of the gist of the question —the extent Japan became a modernised
nation by the early 20th century
• Not effective enough to make counter arguments to rebut
• Reasonably expressed, organised
Lower:
•
•
•
•
Shows a standpoint with evidence/arguments
Shows unclear understanding of the question
Weak in making counter arguments to rebut
Weakly expressed and organised
ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia ∣ Page73
Japan
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Worksheet 3C
Debate scripts
The First/Second/Third/ Fourth/ Last Speaker
Debate Topic
‘Japan, to a large extent, was a modernized nation
in the early 20th century.’
Your team:
Standpoint
& Arguments
Opponents’
Team &
arguments
Counter
arguments
(predicted)
Counter
arguments
(unpredicted)
Guidelines for reference:
• Standpoint: clear
• Arguments: strong to support the standpoint & effective use of counter- arguments to rebut
• Organization: clearly expressed, organized, persuasive and coherent Page74 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofJapanandSoutheastAsia
To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Japan
Worksheet 3D
Assessment (Judges)
Topic of Debate: Japan, to a large extent, was a modernised nation in the early 20th
century.
Jot down the key points provided by the 2 sides and write down some feedback below.
Arguments
(Affirmative Side)
Feedback:
Arguments
(Negative Side)
Feedback:
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To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Japan
Worksheet 3E
Assessment Mark Sheet (for Judges)
Put a "" in the appropriate boxes below and circle the appropriate comments to show the level
reached by 2 teams.
Arguments (Affirmative Side)
Arguments (Negative Side)
Upper:
Upper:
Average:
Average:
Lower:
Lower:
• Clear standpoint with strong
evidence/arguments
• Showing a firm grasp of the gist
of the question—the extent Japan
became a modernised nation by the
early 20th century
• Effective use of counter arguments
to rebut
• Clearly expressed, organised,
persuasive and coherent
• Clear standpoint with evidence/
arguments
• Showing a clear grasp of the gist
of the question—the extent Japan
became a modernised nation by the
early 20th century
• Not effective enough to make
counter arguments to rebut
• Reasonably expressed, organised
• Shows a standpoint with evidence/
arguments
• Shows an unclear understanding of
the question
• Weak to make counter arguments to
rebut
• Weakly expressed and organised
• Clear standpoint with strong
evidence/arguments
• Showing a firm grasp of the gist
of the question—the extent Japan
became a modernised nation by the
early 20th century
• Effective use of counter arguments
to rebut
• Clearly expressed, organised,
persuasive and coherent
• Clear standpoint with evidence/
arguments
• Showing a clear grasp of the gist
of the question—the extent Japan
became a modernised nation by the
early 20th century
• Not effective enough to make
counter arguments to rebut
• Reasonably expressed, organised
• Shows a standpoint with evidence/
arguments
• Shows an unclear understanding of
the question
• Weak to make counter arguments to
rebut
• Weakly expressed and organised
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To what extent was Japan a modernised
nation in the early 20th century?
Japan
Worksheet 4
Marking Criteria for the Essay
To what extent did Japan become a modernised nation by the early
20th century?
Criteria
Grade
(Max.30)
• Coherent presentation with reasonable analysis of the extent to
which Japan became a modernised nation by the early 20th century
• Balanced contents, with appropriate and effective use of relevant
materials;
• Clearly expressed, persuasive, and coherent, showing critical and
analytical judgment
A
14-15
• Shows good understanding of the question’s theme, clearly
examine the extent to which Japan became a modernised nation by
the early 20th century. Examples cover a considerable part of the
early 20th century.
B
12-13
• Shows good understanding of the theme of the question, and make
concrete attempts to examine the extent to which Japan became a
modernised nation by the early 20th century; but the discussion is
obviously lopsided to arguments for modernisation, and/or contains
underdeveloped arguments. Examples cover a considerable part of
the 20th century.
C
10-11
• Shows general understanding of the question, and the discussion
attempts to give balanced arguments, but marred by rough
arguments and/or vagueness in discussing ‘extent’.
D
8-9
• Shows awareness of the question, narrates on both sides of the
arguments and attempts to reach a conclusion about ‘extent’,
though marred by rough arguments and overgeneralisation.
• Contains obvious factual errors.
E
6-7
• A narration of examples showing how Japan was modernised,
without mentioning the other side of arguments; or
• Attempts to discuss ‘extent’, though primarily on examples other
than those for modernisation
E/F
5
• A narration of examples other than those for modernisation, or
• A narration of the development of Japan, without discussing the
extent to which Japan became a modernized nation.
F
3-4
Adapted from “Sample Paper and marking scheme reference for HKDSE History 2009” with
persmission of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.
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