I am making a series of free videos about Japanese culture and posting them on the internet. The videos are designed to introduce Japanese culture to a foreign audience. As such, they would be suitable for first year students studying Japan and its culture, or perhaps to stimulate the interest of those learning Japanese.

The videos are entitled "Japan and its culture: an illustrated talk"; Parts 1, 2, and 3 are now available.
They each last around 15-20 minutes and consist of voice-over, illustrated by a series of photographs, images and slides, and accompanied by Japanese music.
The issues covered so far are:

"Japan and its culture: an illustrated talk" (Part 1):
. The consciousness of being Japanese is part of
a powerful nationalism
. The desire to conform is strongly built into
the national psyche
. There is no strong class system in Japan
. Japan took the lead in the industrialisation of
Asia

"Japan and its culture: an illustrated talk" (Part 2):

. Attitudes towards failure―and the Second World
War
. Youth versus age―the generation gap
. The work ethic is strong

"Japan and its culture: an illustrated talk" (Part 3
. Appearance versus reality
. Memory and the actual event
. Spirits and demons

These videos can be viewed at:

#1 http://vimeo.com/35059494

#2 http://vimeo.com/35520751

#3 http://vimeo.com/35764716

More videos will go up as I make them but each takes me a few months to complete as I work alone. Strange that retirement from academia keeps me so busy....
Best wishes.
Kevin Bucknall