This book project poses a major challenge to Japanese science education researchers in order to disseminate research findings on and to work towards maintaining the strength and nature of Japanese science education. It also presents a unique opportunity to initiate change and/or develop science education research in Japan. It provides some historical reasons essential to Japanese students’ success in international science tests such as TIMSS and PISA. Also, it helps to tap the potential of younger generation of science education researchers by introducing them to methods and designs in the research practice. 

Tetsuo Isozaki  is professor of science education at Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. He has taught general principles of science teaching, and history of science education for more than twenty years. His research interest is history of science education using comparative history, and science teacher education.  He is the former vice president of the Japanese Society of Science Teaching, and a former executive member of East-Asian Society for Science Education.