Japan and the Koreas

Japan Capital – Tokyo Slightly smaller than California Population 127.4 million 84% practice both Shinto and Buddhism Emperor Akihito- Chief of State Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama Cars, electronic equipment, machines, tools, etc

Location Is an archipelago or chain of islands Located about 100 miles off Asian mainland Being an island nation has both protected and isolated Japan

Shinto Early Japanese honored kami or nature spirits This worship became known as Shinto or “the way of the gods” Still practice some Shinto traditions today

Isolationism For many centuries Japan did not interact with other nations Allowed for a distinctive Japanese culture to develop Began trading with the US and other nations in the mid-1800s

Koreas Extends off east coast of Asia b/w China and Japan About size of MN Divided into 2 countries- North Korea (Communist) and South Korea (democracy)

Korean War 1950-1953 Japan controlled Korea during WWII 1950 N Koreans launched a surprise attack on S Korea in an attempt to united the country under a communist gov’t 15 nations including the US helped South Korea China and the USSR helped North Korea Approximately 4 million people died 1953- a cease fire agreement was signed which established a division b/w North and South Korea at the 38th parallel

DMZ North and South Korea are separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ) Strip of land on which troops and weapons are not allowed Huge troop presence on either side

North Korea Slightly smaller than MS Population 23.3 million No religion allowed Capital- Pyongyang Kim Jong Il – President/Dictator Malnutrition and poor living conditions 150,000-200,000 are in forced labor camps

South Korea Slightly larger than IN Population- 49 million 26% Christian, 23% Buddhist, 49% none Capital – Seoul President Lee Myung-bak Industries- electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel