1. Japan and the Koreas

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 are in forced labor camps

10. 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