Japan

JapanThe Land of the Rising Sun

Stuff

Japan is an archipelago – A chain of islands

4 Main Islands1. Honshu

2. Shikoku

3. Kyushu

4. Hokkaido

Arable land – able to be farmed (13%)

Tectonic activity

Ring of Fire – A region of tectonic activity along the Pacific Rim

EarthquakesEarthquakes – 7,500/yr, 1,500 are felt at the surface

Seismograph – Measures movements within the earth’s crust

Volcanoes – 170, 75 active

BenefitCreates natural hot springs – leads to resorts and tourism

Stuff

Climate follows US east coast

Monsoon – A shift in prevailing winds

Typhoon – A tropical hurricane. Common in Japan

StuffPopulation – 128 million

Density – 870/mi2

Land and housing cost – very expensive

Many families live – in high rise apartments

StuffHomogenous – Ethnically the same

National unity – very strong

Discrimination – is evident against minorities

Only significant minority – Koreans - .6%

ReligionShinto – ancient religion

1. Respect forces of nature

2. Worship (respect) the spirits of dead ancestors

3. Many homes have a Shinto shrine

4. It is no longer the focus of life

StuffBuddhism – Most common today

Popular (pop culture) same as US

History

Isolation – for centuries Japan chose to isolate themselves, trading only with their neighbors

1543 – Portuguese traders arrived

1639 – Japan was fearful of a takeover so they kickes out the Westerners (Europeans)

History1853 – US forcefully re-opens Japan. Japan was forced to sign unfair trade agreements

Commodore Matthew C. Perry – led the expedition to Japan

Edo – Name for Tokyo until the 1860’s

History1868 – A new government takes over with the goal of “defeating” the foreigners

Emperor Meiji – The new emperor. He was a reformer

Meiji Reforms (1869 – 1912)

1. Sent many Japanese students to America to study

2. Became more democratic

3. Set up a new school system with education available to all

4. Developed an extensive railroad and telegraph network

Early 1900’s – the unfair practices ended

History

Japan adopted western ideas – but they did not wish to become a western society

Imperialism – taking over weaker nations for their natural resource

HistoryDecember 17, 1941 – Japan attacks the US at Pearl Harbor

August 1945 – The US drops two nuclear bombs on Japan – Hiroshima, Nagasaki

History1945 – 1952 – US occupied Japan

1. Removed military leaders

2. The emperor was stripped of his power

3. The military was disbanded

4. Introduced democracy

EconomyEconomic growth – Japan has the fastest growing economy since WWII

World’s workshop – Japan’s nickname because they import raw materials and export finished products

EconomyProducts – cars, motorcycles, electronics

By 1960 Japan had the #2 economy in the world

How did they do it?

Greatest natural resource - People

EducationEducation is very important in Japanese culture. Very well-educated people

1. Long school days

2. Short vacations

3. Lots of homework

4. Assignments over summer vacation

Education

To enter high school – one must pass an exam

To enter college – one must pass an exam

Fierce competition – for spots in the top universities

Juku – “cram” schools. Many students attend juku schools after the regular school day

EducationRecent changes – relaxing the strict tradition

1. No more Saturday school

2. More extracurricular activities available

3. “Zest for living” program

BusinessJapan’s workforce is very dedicated

1. Good attitude and cooperation

2. Work long hours

3. Take pride in company success

Business

In return, companies – take care of employees

1. Low rent apartments

2. Company paid vacations

Paid medical, child care, low interest loans

Business

Many workers are hired right out of college and work for the same company until retirement. Quitting or being fired is rare.

Business

Recent changes – Japan’s economy has sufferd a downturn

1. increased competition (S. Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong)

2. Tariff – A tax on imports. Designed to favor domestic manufacturers

3. Quota – A fixed quantity of something (Japanese imports)

Business

Late 1990’s – Japan suffered a recession. It was the first economic setback since WWII. Businesses failed and the economy suffered. Recovery has been slow. Japan has still not fully recovered.

The End!