This course explores the economic development of Japan from the 17th century (Tokugawa period) to 1930s. During this period Japan achieved great economic growth. However, this process was not a series of success stories. It is true that Japan effectively overcame many economic and social problems, but it also made some mistakes during the course of that time. These trial-and-error experiences of Japan will provide some hints about how to regard the economies of today’s developing countries since Japan struggled with the problems which many countries in Asia and Africa are facing now. How did Japan industrialize its economy? How did it raise the productivity of agriculture? How did it establish its education system? What political system led to its economic development? How did it cope with financial crises? We analyze these problems by employing basic microeconomic and macroeconomic tools.