1. Japan: The People “Use every moment of every day without wasting it.” What distinct ways of life have the people of Japan developed?

2.  As an island nation, how did Japan’s culture develop?  Most people live on the 4 main islands  Honshu: largest  Shikoku  Kyushu  Hokkaido  Location: safe from invaders  Adopted ideas and ways of living from China, Korea, and the West: chopsticks, writing Chinese characters, teachings of Confucius, Buddhist religion

3.  As an island nation, how did Japan’s culture develop?  1500’s Portuguese arrived to trade  1638 fearing loss of power to foreign missionaries and traders all foreigners were expelled, except the Dutch  Japanese were forbidden to build large ships or go on long voyages  Closed-door policy: isolationism  1853 Commodore Matthew Perry US Navy sailed into Tokyo Bay and demanded Japan open it ports to the world

4.  Describe the people and their beliefs.  Homogeneous: 1. appearances and behavior are similar 2. belong to same ethnic group 3. same language 4. same history 5. similar values  Shinto oldest religion: believe in spirits / Kami dwell in nature: mountains, trees, streams, lakes, rocks  Buddhist religion: peaceful belief  Confucian ideas: orderly society, duty to family and country

5.  What does it mean to be members of a group to the Japanese?  Values are different from ours  Society is more important than one person  Members of group make gains together  Taught at early age loyalty and respect for common good  “A nail that sticks out, must be hammered down”

6.  Why are manners, duty, and loyalty important to the Japanese?  Deep respect for authority and order  Children are taught everyone has a certain position in society,be polite, bow to teachers, bosses, and friends to each other  Rules for correct behavior, special duties / debt to families and their leaders  “ Lose face” means to fail to do one’s duty / family is shamed and disgraced  Traditions began with Samurai, values passed down through generations

7.  Why is Tokyo a crowded city?  Capital of Japan  Megalopolis: many nearby cities close together seem to form one large city  Densely populated  Crowded trains  Traffic jams