Japan and the Koreas Race Through Asia Round 2 Sam Sicilia Waverly Middle School.

Japan and the Koreas

Race Through Asia Round 2Sam SiciliaWaverly Middle School

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHYJapan and the Koreas

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

If You Lived There…You are a passenger on a very fast train zipping its way across the countryside. If you look out the window to your right, you can see the distant sparkle of sunlight on the ocean. If you look to the left, you see rocky, rugged, mountains. Suddenly the train leaves the mountains and you see hundreds of trees covered in delicate pink flowers. Rising above the trees is a single snowcapped volcano.

How does this scenery make you feel?

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

The main physical features of Japan and the Koreas are rugged mountains.Japan is an archipelago

Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku

The Korean Peninsula juts out from the Asian mainland and is made up of North Korea and South Korea

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

Similarities

Both are covered in rugged mountains.Both suffer damage from typhoons.Both have similar climates.Neither is very rich in mineral resources (some coal and iron in N. Korea)

Differences

Japan suffers from many earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, Korea does not.The Korean Peninsula has large plains, Japan does not.Korea has more rivers than Japan.

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

The climates and resources of Japan and the Koreas vary from north to south.

North: Humid Continental climate with cold and long winters and cool summers (short growing season)South: Humid Subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

FisheriesA place where lots of fish and other seafood can be caughtWhy might this be so important to Japan?

Japan and the KoreasPhysical Geography

ResourcesKoreas use fast rivers for hydroelectric powerJapan has strong fishing economy

Fisheries: A place where lots of fish and other seafood can be caughtWhy might this be so important to Japan?

Taechong dam on the Kum River, South Korea.

JAPAN TODAYJapan and the Koreas

Japan Today

If YOU lived there…You and your family live in a small apartment in the crowded city of Tokyo. Every day you and your friends crowd into jammed subway trains to travel to school. Since your work in school is very hard and demanding, you really look forward to the weekends. You especially like to visit mountain parks where there are flowering trees, quiet gardens, and ancient shrines.

Do you like your life in Tokyo? Why or why not?

Japan Today

Since World War II, Japan has developed a democratic government and one of the world’s strongest economies.Constitutional Monarchy

Emperor holds little powerDiet (elected legislature) and elected prime minister make laws and govern life in Japan today.

Japan has few natural resources and arable land

Must import raw materials and food from other countries

Japan TodayEconomy

Economy has grown tremendously since 1950s (not very strong before)Manufacturing : known for making high quality products, especially cars and electronics.Many Japanese companies are leaders in new technology and ideasEconomy depends on trade and has developed a trade surplus

Japan TodayReasons for success

Government working with businessJapanese workforce –

Well-educated and highly trainedStrong work ethic (belief that work itself is worthwhile) Because of work ethic, most Japanese work hard and are loyal to their companies, and thus companies are successful

Japan Today - Daily Life

•A shortage of open space shapes daily life in Japan. •Life in Tokyo

•More than 30 million people•City is busy, noisy, and very crowded•Land is scarce = high real estate prices

•Lack of Space•Crowding has become a serious issue•Tall and narrow buildings•Underground structures (shops and restaurants)•Capsule hotels•Commuters

Japan TodayChallenges

Besides overcrowding, Japan faces several other issuesCompetition from other countries

China and South Korea have begun taking business from Japanese companies

Environmental Challenges

Pollution has become a problemKyoto Protocols

THE KOREAS TODAYJapan and the Koreas

The Koreas Today

If YOU lived there…You live in Inchon, one of South Korea’s largest cities. Sometimes your grandparents tell you about the other family members who still live in North Korea. You have never met them, of course, and your grandparents have not seen them since they were children, more than 50 years ago. After hearing stories about these family members you are curious about their lives.

Would you like to visit North Korea?

The Koreas TodaySouth Korea

Many people in South Korea today have freedom and economic opportunities.

Government is a republic, with elected officialsDensely populatedStrong economy based on manufacturing

Issues and ChallengesRelationship with N. KoreaDemilitarized Zone

The Koreas TodayNorth Korea

The people of North Korea today have little freedom or economic opportunity.Misleading name

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Totalitarian StateControlled by Communist Party

The Koreas TodayNorth Korea

Government Founded by Kim Il Sung, who ruled N. Korea as a dictator until 1994Succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Il, also a dictator

Command EconomyGovernment plans economy, owns all land, controls access to jobs, and decides what is produced

The Koreas TodayNorth Korea

Daily Life in North KoreaMost people live in cities

Pyongyang is capital and largest city

Very crowded, more 3 million peopleFew people own cars (only top Communist officials are even allowed)Many streets are dark because of electricity shortagesPeople have fewer rights than people in Japan or South Korea

The Koreas TodayNorth Korea

Issues and Challenges

Shortages of electricity due partly to choices made by governmentNorth Korea is closed off from most of the world, doing business mostly with other communist countriesThey lack technology to take advantage of their resources

The Koreas TodayReunification

Some people in both South Korea and North Korea support the idea of Korean reunification.People and both governments have expressed support for reunification because the countries share a common history and culture.Until the issue of whether a unified Korea would have a Communist government or a Democracy is resolved, reunification is unlikely.

Japan and the Koreas Chapter Summary

Japan and the Koreas are both rugged, mountainous areas surrounded by water.Japan has overcome many challenges to become one of the most highly developed countries in Asia.Though they share a common history and culture, the two Koreas have very different governments and economies.

Any Questions about Japan and the Koreas?