This textbook is aimed at advanced-level students of the Japanese language; it is constructed around readings about facets of diversity and boundary crossing in present-day Japanese society. Readings in the text volume, from newspapers and other authentic sources, address six broad themes: cross-cultural communication, individualized learning, translation, changing work patterns, popular culture, and bioethics. Readings are accompanied by illustrations and other supplementary materials, and versions of the text with phonetic aids are included to help the student.