Currently, there is a growing policy interest in learning about controversial issue as part of voting learning against a backdrop of social change. However, the study of controversial issues in social studies education began already in the 1970s, and a certain amount of research has been accumulated up to the present. This paper examines the previous studies related to ‘learning about controversial issues’ from the perspective of “educational borrowing” in order to the characteristics of Japanese educational research. A literature search of CiNii and Google scholar database was conducted, using the following key words: Ronsomondai (Controversial Issues), Gakushu (Learning), Syakaika (social studies), Jugyo (Lesson). The findings reveal that these studies have been reflected by Japanese context around academic, policy and practical context. Learning about controversial issues could support existing social studies theories, but it also gives questions existing social studies practice.