1x1 - The Two Coasts of China

October 1, 1992

Introduces the concept of a "balancing act" in China's elite's perceptions of external threats and opportunities that in one form or another have presented themselves ever since the creation of a unified Chinese state. Most of this episode, however, takes place in the 19th century when the threat was overwhelmingly from the seacoast with the arrival of aggressive Western traders and, ultimately, their countries' warships.

1x2 - The Meiji Revolution

October 8, 1992

Japan became the first industrially and technically underdeveloped nation to modernize itself and become a great power. Its transformation took place under the authority of the young, newly installed Meiji Emperor whose profound symbolic importance to the Japanese people was skillfully used by a talented, elite group of government leaders. Such a rapid ascent led Japan to entertain imperial ambitions, resulting in a territorial clash with Russia and stressful changes in the society.

1x3 - From the Barrel of a Gun

October 15, 1992

1x4 - Writers & Revolutionaries

October 22, 1992

1x5 - Reinventing Japan

October 29, 1992

1x6 - Inside Japan, Inc.

November 5, 1992

1x7 - Big Business and the Ghost of Confucius

November 12, 1992

1x8 - The Fight for Democracy

November 19, 1992

1x10 - The Pacific Century

December 3, 1992