1. JAPAN Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: History and Culture Section 3: The Region Today 1 CHAPTER 28

2. Objectives: 2  What are the major landforms of Japan?  Which climates are found in the region?  What are some important resources in Japan? Section 1 Natural Environments

3. Major landforms: 3  Japan  four main islands and thousands of smaller ones  mountains—70 percent of land; Japanese Alps the longest chain  plains—mainly on Pacific coast of Honshu  nearly 200 volcanoes Section 1 Natural Environments

4. Climates: influenced by Asian monsoon 4  Japan—similar to U.S. east coast  humid continental to the north; severe winters  humid subtropical to the south; mild winters, warm and humid summers Section 1 Natural Environments

5. Key resources: 5  Japan has limited mineral and energy resources and relies on imports.  Forests are plentiful in Japan, but logging is strictly controlled.  Japan is rich in marine life. Section 1 Natural Environments

6. 6  END OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

7. Objectives: 7  What cultures influenced the early history of Japan?  What were some major events in the modern history of the region?  What are some notable features of Japanese culture? Section 2 History and Culture

8. Early cultural influences: 8  Asians invaded Japan around 300 B.C. and introduced rice farming.  Both China and Korea strongly influenced Japanese culture.  Europeans arrived in Japan in 1500s, but Japan resisted influence. Section 2 History and Culture

9. Major events in modern history: 9  U.S. Navy arrived in Tokyo in 1853; Japan began to open up to foreign influences.  Meiji Restoration of 1868 brought emperor back; he began modernization reforms.  Japan expanded Asian territory between 1895 and 1937 (Taiwan, Sakhalin, Korea, China).  Japan joined Axis Powers in 1940; surrendered in 1945, after atomic bombs.  Japan established democratic system after World War II. Section 2 History and Culture

10. Cultural features: 10  strong Chinese influence  Japan is dominated by a single ethnic group  religion—Buddhism and Shintoism  food—rice the staple food; raw fish popular in Japan Section 2 History and Culture

11. Cultural features: (continued) 11  education—good schools, high literacy in Japan  customs—strong Western influences, but traditions survive; focus on family, respect for elders  art—music, literature, visual and decorative arts are strong traditions Section 2 History and Culture

12. Modern Japan is a blend of traditional and modern, East and West. 12  Agriculture and industry are very efficient and productive.  Exports are a key to economic success, but Asian competition is growing.  Japan has many large cities; Tokyo-Yokohama is world’s largest. Section 3 The Region Today

13. Modern Japan is a blend of traditional and modern, East and West. (continued) 13  Most people are middle-class suburbanites; homes are small and expensive.  Western cultural influences are common: clothing, food, music, sports.  Society is getting older; women’s roles are changing. Section 3 The Region Today