Japan and the Koreas

Location East Asia East Asia Eastern Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere

Human Characteristics Most people live in the valleys and the coastal plains Most people live in the valleys and the coastal plains North Koreans have less freedom than others in the region North Koreans have less freedom than others in the region

Physical Characteristics Japan is a string of Islands Japan is a string of Islands Korean peninsula Korean peninsula Plate tectonics lie close to the countries Plate tectonics lie close to the countries Typhoons- seasonal winds bring heavy rainfall Typhoons- seasonal winds bring heavy rainfall

Environment Affects Peoples Lives Scarcity of flatland Scarcity of flatland Farming is costly Farming is costly Countries are Interdependent on each other- depend on each other Countries are Interdependent on each other- depend on each other

People use/affect the environment Rice is an important crop Rice is an important crop Farming is difficult Farming is difficult Nuclear power plants for energy Nuclear power plants for energy

Movement Ideas: Ideas: Japanese pop culture Japanese pop culture tae kwon do tae kwon do Products and People: Imports: Fuel Food Raw material Exports: Motor vehicles Electrical equipment

Region Religion: Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity Religion: Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity Countries are very mountainous Countries are very mountainous

Japan and the Koreas since WWII After WWII, the U.S. occupied the southern part of Korea and the Soviet Union occupied the northern part After WWII, the U.S. occupied the southern part of Korea and the Soviet Union occupied the northern part The two countries disagreed about how to unite the two parts The two countries disagreed about how to unite the two parts Two governments developed, a communist one in the North and a democratic one in the South Two governments developed, a communist one in the North and a democratic one in the South

Korean War North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 signaling the beginning of the Korean War North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 signaling the beginning of the Korean War The US led United Nations troops in defending South Korea The US led United Nations troops in defending South Korea The two sides agreed to stop fighting in 1953 The two sides agreed to stop fighting in 1953 A border was drawn with a demilitarized zone where neither army is allowed to enter A border was drawn with a demilitarized zone where neither army is allowed to enter

Korean War continued: The peninsula was split into two countries: The peninsula was split into two countries: 1.) The communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the North 1.) The communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the North 2.) Republic of Korea in the south 2.) Republic of Korea in the south

Japan Today Japan is a constitutional monarchy Japan is a constitutional monarchy Constitutional Monarchy- the constitution limits the powers of the emperor. Constitutional Monarchy- the constitution limits the powers of the emperor. After WWII, the Japanese economy grew due to improved infrastructure and new businesses. After WWII, the Japanese economy grew due to improved infrastructure and new businesses. Issues: recession and an aging population Issues: recession and an aging population

North Korea Today It has a command economy that is not managed well It has a command economy that is not managed well The economy is NOT growing like South Korea’s economy The economy is NOT growing like South Korea’s economy Nuclear weapons are a threat and a response to the military drills between the US and South Korea Nuclear weapons are a threat and a response to the military drills between the US and South Korea

South Korea South Korea’s economy is booming due to exports South Korea’s economy is booming due to exports Cultural borrowing has introduced new sports into South Korea and Japan Cultural borrowing has introduced new sports into South Korea and Japan Christianity has spread across the country Christianity has spread across the country