Japan and the Koreas Chapter 28

Geography of Japan and Korea Japan is made up of four main islands and thousands of smaller ones. The main islands are: (from north to south) Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The smaller Ryuku Islands to the south are also part of Japan. Okinawa is the largest of these. The Korean Peninsula is across the Sea of Japan and the Korean Sea. Two countries, North Korea and South Korea, occupy the peninsula.

Landforms of Japan and Korea More than 70% of Japan is mountainous. The Japanese Alps are the longest mountain range. The highest peak is Mt. Fuji, a snow capped volcanic cone. The other 30% of land is made up of plains. Japan has nearly 200 volcanos, of which about 1/3 are active. As many as 1500 earthquakes occur each year.

Landforms of Japan and Korea Tectonic activity also creates large sea waves called tsunamis. The word means “harbor wave” in Japanese. These waves can travel hundreds of miles per hour and rise to more than 100 feet when they reach shore. One of the most devastating tsunamis occurred in 2011, when almost 20,000 lost their lives.

Landforms of Korea The main landforms on the Korean Peninsula are mostly hills and low mountains. There are no active volcanos in Korea.

Climates of Japan and Korea Both countries are influenced by the Asian monsoon system with very large amounts of precipitation in the summer. In addition, typhoons from the tropical Pacific Ocean occasionally strike their coasts in late summer and fall. Both countries are colder in the north due to the humid continental climate. In the south, it is warmer due to the humid subtropical climate.

Natural Resources Both Japan and Korea are very limited on their energy and mineral resources. They depend on imports of oil, iron, aluminum, and other metals and minerals. They both use nuclear power and hydropower to lower their need for imported oil. Commercial fishing is a very important industry in Japan, whose country depends on fish for most of their protein consumption. They also use aquaculture to supply shellfish, seaweed, and pearls (from oysters). This practice is also called sea-farming.

History and Culture Korea’s early people came from northern and central Asia. The Chinese invaded Korea in 108 B.C.E. Although the Koreans eventually retook their country, there remained a great Chinese influence in Korean culture. China and Korea greatly influenced Japan’s culture. However, over time, a distinct Japanese culture emerged.

Japanese History and Culture Over time, a distinct Japanese culture emerged. For example, Shintoism became Japan’s main religion. Shintoism centers around the kami. The kami are spirits of natural places, sacred animals, and ancestors.

History and Culture The Japanese political system was similar to the feudal system in Europe.

History and Culture In the 1500s, the Europeans introduced Christianity to Japan, but the Japanese drove the European traders and missionaries out in the late 1600s. They feared that foreign ideas might cause instability in Japanese society. The country remained largely cut off from the world through the mid 1800s.

Modern Japanese History In 1853, U.S. Navy ships under Commodore Matthew C. Perry arrived in Tokyo, helping to open Japan to foreign influence and trade. These influences (mostly from Europe) sparked change in Japan.

Modern Japanese History In 1868, a group of samurai demanding reforms overthrew the last shogun. They restored the emperor’s power. This political revolution became known as the Meiji Restoration. Meiji means “enlightened rule.” The emperor began to modernize Japan, using Europe and the United States as their model of reform. Japan created a constitutional government with a parliamentary government.

Modern Japanese History Japan soon became a world industrial and military power. To meet its growing need for natural resources and expand their influence in Asia, Japan expanded its borders. 1895 – Japan took Taiwan from China 1905 – Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War and gained control of parts of south Russia. 1910 – Japan annexed Korea. 1920 – Japan gained many South Pacific islands, 1931 – Japan took control of Chinese Manchuria, 1937 – Japan invaded the rest of China. Japan’s growing empire provided the Japanese with valuable natural resources and military bases.

Modern Japanese History Japan signed an alliance with Germany and Italy in 1940. The next year Japan entered World War II by attacking the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In 1945, Japan surrendered, ending WWII, when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Modern Japanese History After World War II, Japan set up a democratic government. Although Japan’s emperor is still the symbolic leader of the country, the power lies with the law making body called the Diet and a prime minister.

Modern Korean History Japan lost control of Korea at the end of World War II. At that time, the United States and the Soviet Union divided Korea at the 38th parallel (38 degrees N latitude). The United States occupied the South of Korea and created a democratic government. The Soviets occupied the North of Korea and created a communist government.

Modern Korean History In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, sparking the Korea War. The United Nations sent troops (mostly U.S.), to defend the south. China’s government sent troops to support the north. In 1953, the Korean conflict ended with a truce, and the division of the country remained at the 38th parallel. The strip of land along this line became known as the DMZ, or demilitarized zone.

Modern Korean History The DMZ has become known as one of the most fortified and tense borders in the world. North Korean troops face South Korean and U.S. troops across the divide. The lack of human activity in this area has allowed a unique eco-system to develop. Many rare and endangered animals have found refuge in the DMZ.

Modern Culture Many elements of Japanese and Korean culture originated in China. Chinese customs, food, and architecture have greatly influenced the region.

People and Language Both Japan and the Koreas are each dominated by a single major ethnic group. In Japan, 99% of the population are ethnic Japanese. Small minority groups are Chinese and Korean. Japanese language is spoken in Japan. Written Japanese uses a combination of Chinese and Japanese characters.

People and Language Nearly the entire population of North and South Korea are ethnic Korean. Chinese are the main minority group. Korean language is spoken in Korea. About half of the words come from the Chinese. However, the grammar of Korea is similar to Japanese.

Religion A combination of Buddhism and Shintoism dominates Japan. Shintoism deals with one’s current life and Buddhism deals with what’s after life. Korea’s major religion is a combination of Buddhism and Confucianism. However, Christianity is now a major religion in South Korea. All forms of religion are controlled by the government in North Korea.

Both Japan and Korea’s main food is rice. In Japan, fish are a main source of protein. Sushi (rice with vegetables and raw fish) and Sashimi (thin slices of raw fish) are popular. Tea is the most popular drink. In Korea, grilled meats are common. The most popular Korean dish is Kimchi, a spicy dish made of Chinese cabbage, ginger, garlic, and other vegetables.

Education Japan has an excellent education system and one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Japanese attend free school and many students attend special “cram” schools to prepare for high school and university exams. The South Korean education system is similar to Japan’s. In North Korea, teaching communist ideology is the major focus of education.

Traditions Western influences have greatly altered Japanese culture. Still, many traditions are important. Family ties are strong and respect for elders is essential. Kabuki Dragon Dance Tea Ceremony Shadow Puppets Geisha

Japan Today About 5% of Japanese are farmers, but they provide about 70% of the country’s food needs. The government subsidizes, or financially supports, farmers to protect them from foreign competition. Rice is the largest crop in Japan, other crops are tea, soybeans, fruits and vegetables, and mulberry trees (for silkworms).

Japan Today Japan is an economically successful country. The Japanese have a strong work ethic. It is not uncommon to work six-day work weeks and very long hours. They have also been very successful selling and manufacturing its products overseas. Cars and electronics are Japan’s biggest exports.

Modern Ways of Life Most Japanese… are Middle Class. live in suburban areas. commute long distances to and from work. have small families (one or two children). live in small houses. has one of the lowest birthrates in the world. has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. women are an important part of the work force. Japanese are greatly influenced by Western culture.

The Two Koreas North Korea is an isolated country under a strict communist dictatorship with a large military and a command economy. The state controls most aspects of the citizens’ lives. South Korea has a democratically elected government. South Koreans have freedoms that North Koreans don’t. After the Korean War, it quickly developed into an industrial country.

Korean Unification For decades, Koreans have hoped to reunify their two countries. In recent years, the two Koreas have had better relations. Although the countries remain in talks, they remain worlds apart. Many South Koreans fear that North Korea might develop and possibly use nuclear weapons.