A. W. Jayawardena 
Concise History of Japan [PDF ebook] 
Jomon Period to Heisei Period

Japan has a long history, going as far back as the Paleolithic era, and the emperor has been the symbol of unity as well as an absolute monarchy for large parts of this. Over time, it has gone through different forms of governance, sometimes with conflicting interests among regional rulers leading to internal wars. Although modern Japan is well known as an advanced country with a nearly homogeneous population, its long history including the systems of governance, rituals, incidents and monuments is not well known to the outside world. In recent years, the history of Japan described in textbooks in the Japanese educational system has become a focus of criticism among neighboring countries. This book aims to summarize the history of Japan, including the rituals, incidents, and monuments of historical significance, starting from the Jomon period to the end of the Heisei period.