1. Japan: A Self-Sufficient Country

2. Self-Sufficient What does the term Self-Sufficient mean to you?
Self-Sufficient means to not require anything from anyone else and to be able to take care of yourself.
As a tiny Island country, what would Japan need to be Self-Sufficient?

3. Resources!
Japan had very little trade with other countries prior to 1853 (more on that later) and thus needed to find a way to sustain itself with the resources it had
Fortunately, Japan had access to enough resources to meets its many needs, such as:
Farmers & Fishers provided food
Wood for building & fuel
Silkworms & cotton for clothing
Metals for art & jewelery

4. Climate!
Japan’s nature & climate also helped compensate for the tiny, isolated island.
Japan had very little arable (farmable) land – but the land it did have was very fertile.
It also had a very mild climate with lots of rainfall that
helped create a longer growing season.

5. Food - Rice!
Because of the wet climate of Japan’s growing season Rice became the main crop
When there was not enough rain – crops would fail & famine would follow!
Rice was so important it was also used a money!
The value of land was based on the amount of rice it produced
A lord’s rank (importance) was based on the total amount of rice produced in this territory

6. A Homogenous Society
While Japan was many different Islands with distinct climates & geography – the people of Japan were largely homogenous
They viewed themselves as being one great unified family with common values & beliefs
They believed this because of the sea.
Most people lived along the coast & would trade resources as well as ideas, values & beliefs along the coastline

7. Self-Sufficiency Effecting Worldview
In your Interactive Notebook create a cause & effect chart on how self- sufficiency may have influenced Japan’s worldview.
CAUSE
EFFECT
SELF-SUFFICIENCY