What is the role of the imperial family in Japanese society? Dr. James Huffman, author of several important works on Japan, including "Modern Japan: A History in Documents" (Oxford University Press), will explore the tumultuous history of Japan's Emperor System and the questions that continue to be raised in today's democratic Japan. His talk takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, in North Central's Harold and Eva White Activities Center, 325 E. Benton Ave. Huffman is the H. Orth Hirt Professor Emeritus of History at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.