Book reviews: Atlas of Japan

This review evaluates the 1970 Atlas of Japan as a medium-sized national atlas covering the country’s physical environment, population, economy, and society. It examines thematic scope, scale selection, cartographic methods, readability, and printing quality. The atlas is praised for its maps of natural regions, geology, oceanography, land use, fisheries, industry, energy, and metropolitan economic structures, which collectively provide substantial geographical information. Its treatment of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and industrial distribution is especially comprehensive. However, several design choices reduce clarity: similar color classes are difficult to distinguish, some maps use inefficient scales, and oversized proportional-circle symbols overlap severely in densely populated and industrialized areas. Cultural topics and transport receive comparatively limited treatment. Overall, despite occasional weaknesses in visual representation and thematic balance, the atlas is considered informative, technically accomplished, and an impressive demonstration of Japan’s advanced printing capabilities.