Japan The Land of the Rising Sun
Feb 12, 2016
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!