Download 23.1/23.2/23.3 Japan

23.1/23.2/23.3
Japan
Physical Geography
 Japan
is made up of four large islands
(Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and
Kyushu) and more than 3,000 smaller
ones.
 These islands stretch across 1500 miles
of the Pacific Ocean – about the
length of the Eastern United States
coastline.
 Most people live on the four big
islands.
Mountains
cover about 75% of Japan.
The Japanese Alps are Japan’s
largest mountain range.
Japan’s highest mountain, Fuji, is not
in any mountain range, but is an
isolated volcanic peak in eastern
Honshu.
Mount Fuji is considered sacred by
some people so there are many
shrines and temples built around it.
Natural Disasters
Japan
is subject to volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and
tsunamis (destructive waves
caused by underwater
earthquakes).
Climate
Climate
varies from north to south.
North – humid continental climate
with cool summers, long, cold
winters, and a short growing season.
South – humid subtropical climate
with mild winters and hot, humid
summers with as much as 80 inches
of rain a year.
Natural Resources
Not
very many mineral resources.
Japan has one of the world’s strongest
fishing economies.
The islands lie near one of the world’s
most productive fisheries (a place
where lots of fish and other seafood
can be caught).
Early History
China
has influenced Japan’s history
and culture.
Buddhism was brought to Japan
through China.
The first government in Japan was
based on Chinese government.
Emperors ruled Japan for many
years.
Japan
went through a time
period of military rule by
shoguns (military leaders) until
1868.
Serving under the shoguns
were armies of samurai
(highly trained warriors).
They were fierce in battle and
devoted to their leaders.
Later Japan
 In
1868 a group of samurai overthrew the
shogun and gave power back to the
emperor.
 When WWII began, Japan allied itself with
Germany and Italy and drew the United
States into the war when, in 1941, they
bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor.
 The United States ended the war by
dropping two atomic bombs on two
Japanese cities, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki.
Japan Today - Government
 Since
WWII, Japan’s government has been
a constitutional monarchy headed by an
emperor.
 Although Japan’s emperor is the country’s
official leader, he has little power and his
main role is to act as a symbol.
 Power rests in the Diet (an elected
legislature) and in an elected prime
minister.
 The government resides in Japan’s capital
city, Tokyo.
Akihito –
Japan’s current
Emperor
Shinzo Abe
– Japan’s
current
Prime
Minister
Economy
Starting
in the 1950s, Japan has
become an economic powerhouse.
Japanese companies use the latest
manufacturing techniques to make
goods such as cars, televisions, and
other electronics.
 The
government has helped Japanese
companies succeed by controlling
production and planning for the future.
 Most goods made in Japan are
exported to the United States.
 Japan exports more than it imports,
causing a huge trade surplus, which has
added to Japan’s wealth.
 Some goods that Japan does need to
import include raw materials and food.
Population
Japan
is slightly smaller than the state of
California and is densely populated.
Most of Japan’s 130 million people live
in crowded cities like Tokyo and
Japan’s second largest city, Osaka.
Tall, modern sky-scrapers line the city
with some of the most expensive real
estate prices in the world.
Culture
 Nearly
everyone in Japan speaks
Japanese.
 The Japanese language is difficult
because some symbols represent whole
words while others are just parts of words.
 Most people who live in Japan blend
elements of Buddhism and Shinto in their
religious practices.
 Shinto is native to the Japanese islands
and focuses on nature spirits called kami.
Japanese
clothing like
kimonos (traditional robes)
are worn on special
occasions.
For fun, Japanese people
visit parks, museums,
baseball stadiums, indoor
beaches, and ski resorts
filled with artificial snow.
Issues and Challenges
Lack
of space due to dense
population.
China and South Korea taking
business from Japanese
companies.
Q1: Most people in Japan live on
one of the 3,000 small islands.
A.
B.
True
False
Q2: The northernmost of
Japan’s big islands is…
A.
B.
C.
D.
Hokkaido
Honshu
Kyushu
Shikoku
Q3: Mount Fuji is a part of the
Japanese Alps.
A.
B.
True
False
Q4: Which of the following natural
disasters is Japan subject to?
Earthquakes
B. Tsunamis
C. Volcanic eruptions
D. All of these
A.
Q5: Southern Japan receives
a lot of rain.
A.
B.
True
False
Q6: Which of the following is one of
Japan’s main mineral resources?
Copper
B. Lead
C. Tin
D. All of these
E. None of these
A.
Q7: Which religion was brought
to Japan from China?
Hinduism
B. Confucianism
C. Buddhism
D. Islam
A.
Q8: Which country has not had a
effect on Japan’s history and
culture?
A.
B.
C.
China
South Korea
The United States
Q9: What type of government
does Japan have today?
Communist
B. Constitutional Monarchy
C. Communist Dictatorship
D. Direct Democracy
A.
Q10: Which of the following
statements is true about Japan’s
government?
It is based out of Osaka.
B. The emperor has little actual
power.
C. Shogun’s still rule some areas in
northern Japan.
A.
Q11: Which country receives
most of Japan’s exports?
China
B. North Korea
C. France
D. The United States
A.
Q12: Which two items does Japan
have to import from other
countries?
Cars & chemicals
B. Food & raw materials
C. Machinery & TV’s
A.