Today’s Issues: East Asia The issues facing East Asian nations include earthquakes, economic recessions, growing populations, and rapidly changing societies.

Today’s Issues: East Asia The Ring of Fire Trade and Prosperity SECTION 1 The Ring of Fire SECTION 2 Trade and Prosperity Case Study Population and the Quality of Life

Section-1 The Ring of Fire The islands of Japan form part of a geologically active area called the Ring of Fire. Because of its location, Japan has faced disastrous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

The Ring of Fire Physical Forces in the Ring of Fire Shifting Plates Section-1 The Ring of Fire Physical Forces in the Ring of Fire Shifting Plates Many Japanese cities are threatened by earthquakes − Japan is on the Ring of Fire—chain of volcanoes around Pacific Rim Subduction—oceanic plate slides under continental plate In East Asia, Pacific oceanic plate meets Eurasian continental plate − crumpled continental crust forms mountains, volcanoes − stress builds where plates meet; sudden slip creates earthquake

The Geology of Japan Volcanoes Subduction of Pacific plate under Eurasian plate created volcanoes − volcanoes formed Japanese islands Since first records, at least 60 Japanese volcanoes have been active − best-known Japanese landform, Mt. Fuji, is a volcano Continued…

The Geology of Japan {continued} Earthquakes and Tsunamis An average of 1,000 earthquakes occur in Japan each year − most are mild, but some cause many deaths, great destruction 1923 Great Kanto earthquake and its fires killed 140,000 people − left Tokyo in ruins, damaged or destroyed 700,000 homes Underwater earthquakes move ocean floor; can create tsunami − huge wave of great destructive power that can reach over 100 feet

Preparing for Disasters Problems Older buildings won’t withstand earthquakes as well as newer ones − some are built on less stable ground or landfill Underground gas lines are likely to rupture in an earthquake − leaking gas can catch fire Crowded blocks and narrow streets hinder rescue operations Continued…

Preparing for Disasters {continued} Solutions Japan has strict building code − engineers study how different buildings withstand quakes − studies affect codes governing construction materials, techniques − this makes newer buildings safer than older ones Schoolchildren have yearly disaster drills with firemen

Section-2 Trade and Prosperity East Asian economies became global powerhouses in the 1970s and 1980s. The decline of Asian economies in the 1990s created a crisis that spread around the globe.

Trade and Prosperity Opening Doors Opening to the West Section-2 Trade and Prosperity Opening Doors Opening to the West East Asian nations are isolated from world until 1500s − Europeans use various means, including force, to end isolation By 1800s, treaties give Europeans spheres of influence in East − exclusive areas where specific nations control trade Commodore Matthew Perry sails to Japan in 1853 to open U.S. trade − U.S. warships intimidate Japan into opening up to U.S., West Continued…

Opening Doors {continued} Industrialization and Globalization After WWII, nations industrialize, East-West trade increases −“Made in China,” “Made in Japan” labels are common in West Regional economies merge, global economy develops − global economy—nations are interdependent for goods, services Japan imports resources, exports manufactured goods worldwide East Asian nations use cheap labor to become manufacturing powers

Powerful Economies of East Asia Zone of Prosperity Many Asian economies do very well in 1980s, early ’90s Economically powerful nations in Pacific Rim zone of prosperity − called the Jakota Triangle—Japan, Korea (South), Taiwan But by mid-1990s these economies are having problems Continued…

Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued} Economic Problems Arise Asian economies run on efficiency, innovation, and cheap labor 1995 report from UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) − over 500,000 East Asian children work in factories, beg on streets Bank, business bankruptcies in mid-1990s panic foreign investors − they sell Asian stocks; riots occur; governments topple Japan enters recession—an extended decline in business activity Continued…

Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued} A Global Ripple Effect Many of the world’s economies are interconnected − Asian economic crisis spreads through the world − creates concern on New York Stock Exchange, other exchanges Steps are taken to prevent global economic downturn − World Bank, International Monetary Fund step in − they lend money to East Asian countries that promise reform The economic downslide begins to reverse Continued…

Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued} The Promise of Reform Crisis shows East Asia that serious reform is needed − increased wages for adult workers − ban on child-labor, forced-labor practices Reform also requires an end to using sweatshops − places where people work long hours in poor conditions for pennies

Population and the Quality of Life Case Study Population and the Quality of Life What Pressures Does Population Put on the Environment? BACKGROUND Some East Asian countries, cities are among world’s most prosperous Japan, South Korea, Taiwan have high incomes, life spans, literacy Economies are strong, but today’s problem is managing population

Patterns of Population Case Study Patterns of Population The Situation at Mid-Century In mid-1900s, East Asian nations are among world’s least developed − poor health, literacy, economic statistics − widespread poverty, short life expectancy High fertility rates, but also high infant and maternal death rates − in 1950, region’s women marry young, average six children Economies remain rural through mid-century

Addressing Population Problems Case Study Addressing Population Problems Environmental Stress Policy makers know population control is key to solving problems Unrestricted population growth strains quality of life, environment − food production is barely adequate − lack of sanitation fouls water supplies − water tables are drained to low levels East Asian governments move to prevent catastrophe Continued…

Addressing Population Problems {continued} Case Study Addressing Population Problems {continued} Problems and Policies Aggressive family planning programs level, then lower birth rates − by 2000, region’s women marry later, average 2.5 children In China, 1950-55 birth rate was 6.2 children per woman − drops down to 1.82 children per woman in 2000 Impressive Results Drop in birth rate, industrialization lead to fast economic growth − life expectancy, literacy rates are now among world’s highest

The Quality of Life Some Ongoing Problems Case Study The Quality of Life Some Ongoing Problems Region’s huge populations still put pressure on environment − a 1% growth rate in China equals 13 million people each year Population growth is concentrated in cities − more people require more housing, sanitation, transportation Citizens don’t always like family planning programs − feel China’s one-child-per-family policy compromises rights