Japan Gabrielle Despres

Japans economy Japan is the second largest power Japan has a lack of natural resources and useable land. The Japanese use yen as their currency (¥) EXPORTS: Textiles, food products, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, chemical products and so on. IMPORTS: After world war II Japan established high tariffs and non tariff barriers to protect domestic goods. Japan imports because of their meager natural resources and raw materials Japans largest suppliers are East and Southeast Asia, the US, Western Europe, and Australia. They have a complex system of whole sale markets and retail manufacturing 1$ = 101.74¥ One of the main sources of income for Japan is the automobile industry. Other products such as electronics and electronic goods are important as well. GDP: 39578.07 per capita Natural resources of Japan include: access to the water (fishing and ship building) and agriculture (25% of the land is usable and rice is grown) Japan relies mainly on imported goods.

Japans Geography Japan is an island country Four main islands: Honshû, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. There are thousands of other islands Total space = 142,000 miles Covered by mountains and they’re usually covered by forests. About only 15% of the land is inhabitable. Earth quakes are common The mountains of Japan contain 10% of the worlds most active volcanoes One of the volcanoes that Japan is known for is Mt. Fuji which erupted in 1707 but lays dormant to this day. Tidal waves are caused by underwater earth quakes.

Japanese Architechture Began around 57 BC Early architecture shared close relationship with Korean architecture. Wooden timber has been traditionally used for architecture. Architecture of wood was fully developed during the fifth century. Architects added decorative gabbles, saddle roofs and other details to their Designs. Shrines that were built to convey a sense of purity, quality, and simplicity. The Japanese were influenced by western culture. Around the seventh century wooden structures such as shrines and temples were built by the nobles (Asuka and Hara periods) In the ninth century the Japanese began to be influenced by the Chinese. Japanese Zen architects began building castles during the Azuchimomoyama period (17th century). They were very different European medieval castles and they were built just like shrines and used for the feudal lords and soldiers. After World War II Japan quickly began to modernize.

Japanese culture Japan has always been influenced by mainland Asia or China. They absorb foreign culture values then adapt those into their own culture. Buddhist deities were adapted into the Shinto religion. Buddhism reached Japan during the sixth century after modifications. Ancient capital cities are Nara and Kyoto Cultural elements were introduced after the 250 year long isolation. They began to industrialized after the Meiji restoration (1868) Western music, technology, and dress influence the Japanese. Kimono: traditional garment worn by Japanese men and women from the Hakusho period (645 - 710) to present day Houses became influenced by the western world. Their best know dish is sushi (cooked vinegar rice served with a variety of vegetables and sometimes sashimi) TOFU: soybean curd. SUKIYAKI: cooking meat and other things in a shallow pot. SOBA: noodles. They also prefer to drink green tea or sake Wedding ceremonies use to be arranged marriage but now its being replaced by love match. The wedding ceremony has a mix of western and eastern cultures. SHINTO CEREMONY: Bride and Groom wear elaborate kimonos at the ceremony and that is usually followed by a Christian observance.

Japanese peasents

Japanese Artisans

Samurai

Japanese Daimyo

Japanese shogun

The Emperor/Empress

FOOD!!!!!!!!!!

music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vxXjx568RA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daB2y9kh1Ec

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