1. Chapter 29 Today’s Issues East Asia
Objective: To learn about current issues East Asians face, & the attempts to solve these problems

2. Chapter 29 Section 1 The Ring of Fire
Vocabulary: Ring of Fire, Great Kanto Earthquake, & Tsunami
Objective: Examine issues relating to disaster preparedness

3. Physical Forces in the Ring of Fire
Japan is part of the Ring of Fire (chain of volcanoes that line the Pacific Rim)
In East Asia, the Pacific oceanic plate is sub-ducted underneath the Eurasian continental plate
The tremendous stress along the Ring of Fire causes sudden & violent earthquakes

4. The Geology of Japan
The same plates that formed the Japanese islands can also destroy them
Mt. Fuji is a famous volcano in Japan
Average of 1000 earthquakes occur each year in Japan (most are mild)
Great Kanto earthquake – in 1923, killed 140,000 & destroyed 700,000 homes
Tsunami: giant ocean wave, caused by underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption, greatly destructive

5. Preparing for Disasters
The structure of Japan has a difficulty in dealing with natural disasters
Japan has established strict building codes
Japanese people understand the importance of being prepared for disasters

6. Chapter 29 Section 2 Trade & Prosperity
Vocabulary: UNICEF, Global Economy, Jakota Triangle, Recession, & Sweatshop
Objective: Identify the key economic powers in East Asia as well as the problems they face

7. Opening Doors
UNICEF – discovered more than half a million children in East Asia were working in factories or begging on the streets
Western demand for Asian products grew & European traders used a variety of means – including force – to end East Asia’s isolation
Trade between East & West steadily increased
East Asia used their supplies of cheap labor to become manufacturing powerhouses

8. Powerful Economies of East Asia
Jakota Triangle – Japan, Korea, & Taiwan
Some Asian countries experienced recessions (an extended period of decline in general business activity)
A global economy can threaten prosperity as well as improve it
Economic crisis in East Asia led to reforms
These reforms put an end to some sweatshops (a workplace where people work long hours for low pay under poor conditions)

9. Case Study What pressures does population put on environment?
Objective: Examine the patterns, problems, & solutions of population growth in East Asia

10. Patterns of Population
East Asia originally ranked among the least developed nations in the world
Widespread poverty & life expectancy was short
Most economies at the time remained rural

11. Addressing Population Problems
Policy makers in the region understood that population control was key to solving the wide range of social & economic problems
In just over a generation, the region’s quality of life has improved to the point where life expectancy & literacy rates are among the highest in the world

12. The Quality of Life
Some countries in the region, such as China & Japan are among the most populous in the world
Growing populations are concentrated in the cities of the region where they must be provided with housing, sanitation, & transportation
Progress are possible if people work together to help the community