This textbook is aimed at intermediate and advanced--level students of Japanese language who are interested in present-day Japanese society. Its six thematic units focus on Japan's diversity; topics include women's lifestyles, young people's attitudes toward work, the changing education system, and foreigners in Japan. Reading selections in the Text volume are authentic materials from published books and newspapers. Study aids in the Tasks, Vocabulary, and Sentence Patterns volume will help students master the thematic materials of the Text volume. Along with explanatory notes and a bibliography, the boxed set also includes three audio CDs (totaling 180 minutes) containing all of the Text readings, in order to aid mastery of pronunciation, sentence rhythm, and intonation.