Transcript Japan - Century High School

Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun
Stuff
Japan is an
archipelago – A
chain of islands
4 Main Islands
1. Honshu
2. Shikoku
3. Kyushu
4. Hokkaido
Arable land – able to
be farmed (13%)
Tectonic activity
Ring of Fire – A
region of tectonic
activity along the
Pacific Rim
Earthquakes
Earthquakes – 7,500/yr,
1,500 are felt at the surface
Seismograph – Measures
movements within the
earth’s crust
Volcanoes – 170, 75 active
Benefit
Creates natural hot
springs – leads to resorts
and tourism
Stuff
 Climate follows US east coast
 Monsoon – A shift in prevailing winds
 Typhoon – A tropical hurricane. Common in Japan
Stuff
Population – 128 million
Density – 870/mi2
Land and housing cost –
very expensive
Many families live – in high
rise apartments
Stuff
Homogenous – Ethnically
the same
National unity – very strong
Discrimination – is evident
against minorities
Only significant minority –
Koreans - .6%
Religion
Shinto – ancient religion
1. Respect forces of nature
2. Worship (respect) the
spirits of dead ancestors
3. Many homes have a Shinto
shrine
4. It is no longer the focus of
life
Stuff
Buddhism – Most common
today
Popular (pop culture) same
as US
History
 Isolation – for centuries Japan chose to isolate
themselves, trading only with their neighbors
 1543 – Portuguese traders arrived
 1639 – Japan was fearful of a takeover so they kickes
out the Westerners (Europeans)
History
1853 – US forcefully re-opens
Japan. Japan was forced to
sign unfair trade agreements
Commodore Matthew C. Perry
– led the expedition to Japan
Edo – Name for Tokyo until
the 1860’s
History
1868 – A new government
takes over with the goal of
“defeating” the foreigners
Emperor Meiji – The new
emperor. He was a reformer
Meiji Reforms (1869 – 1912)
 1. Sent many Japanese students to America to study
 2. Became more democratic
 3. Set up a new school system with education available
to all
 4. Developed an extensive railroad and telegraph
network
Early 1900’s – the unfair practices ended
History
 Japan adopted western ideas – but they did not wish to
become a western society
 Imperialism – taking over weaker nations for their
natural resource
History
December 17, 1941 –
Japan attacks the US at
Pearl Harbor
August 1945 – The US
drops two nuclear bombs
on Japan – Hiroshima,
Nagasaki
History
1945 – 1952 – US occupied
Japan
1. Removed military leaders
2. The emperor was stripped
of his power
3. The military was
disbanded
4. Introduced democracy
Economy
Economic growth – Japan
has the fastest growing
economy since WWII
World’s workshop – Japan’s
nickname because they
import raw materials and
export finished products
Economy
Products – cars,
motorcycles, electronics
By 1960 Japan had the #2
economy in the world
How did they do it?
Greatest natural resource People
Education
Education is very important in
Japanese culture. Very welleducated people
1. Long school days
2. Short vacations
3. Lots of homework
4. Assignments over summer
vacation
Education
 To enter high school – one must pass an exam
 To enter college – one must pass an exam
 Fierce competition – for spots in the top universities
 Juku – “cram” schools. Many students attend juku
schools after the regular school day
Education
Recent changes – relaxing
the strict tradition
1. No more Saturday school
2. More extracurricular
activities available
3. “Zest for living” program
Business
Japan’s workforce is very
dedicated
1. Good attitude and
cooperation
2. Work long hours
3. Take pride in company
success
Business
 In return, companies – take care of employees
 1. Low rent apartments
 2. Company paid vacations
 Paid medical, child care, low interest loans
Business
 Many workers are hired right out of college and work for
the same company until retirement. Quitting or being
fired is rare.
Business
 Recent changes – Japan’s economy has sufferd a
downturn
 1. increased competition (S. Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong)
 2. Tariff – A tax on imports. Designed to favor domestic
manufacturers
 3. Quota – A fixed quantity of something (Japanese
imports)
Business
 Late 1990’s – Japan suffered a recession. It was the first
economic setback since WWII. Businesses failed and the
economy suffered. Recovery has been slow. Japan has
still not fully recovered.
The End!