JAPANSection 1: Natural Environments

Section 2: History and Culture

Section 3: The Region Today

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CHAPTER 28CHAPTER 28

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 Section 1

Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments

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 Section 1

Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments

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 Section 1

Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments

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 Section 1

Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments

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END OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

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 2Section 2

History and CultureHistory and Culture

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 2Section 2

History and CultureHistory and Culture

Major events in modern history:

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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 2Section 2

History and CultureHistory and Culture

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 2Section 2

History and CultureHistory and Culture

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 2Section 2

History and CultureHistory and Culture

Modern Japan is a blend of traditional and modern, East and West.

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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 3Section 3

The Region TodayThe Region Today

Modern Japan is a blend of traditional and modern, East and West. (continued)

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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 3Section 3

The Region TodayThe Region Today