The first issue, for instance, included contributions from Hakucho Masamune, Taketora Ogata, Yamamoto Jōtarō, and Sakutaro Tachi who was also one of its editors.

[5] Though the magazine's first issue stressed that it had "no party affiliations, political or otherwise" and sought "to obtain as many representative opinions as possible",[8] it also opened with a special message from Foreign Minister Kenkichi Yoshizawa, which was stridently defensive of Japan's conduct in Manchuria and Shanghai.

[9] The periodical later explained that "on controversial subjects, where national viewpoints are in conflict, it can be taken for granted that our contributors will defend, expound, and do their utmost to propagate, the Japanese view".

[12] Because of this its parent body, the Foreign Affairs Association of Japan, officially registered itself in the United States on November 29, 1938 as being an agent of the Japanese government.

[13] Though Contemporary Japan continued to be produced during World War II and for decades after, publication abruptly ceased with volume 29 number 2 which was released in March 1970.