Japan Japan

Japan A series of islands off the coast of Asian continent – 4 main islands Bordered by Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan

Where is Japan located in regards to the Ring of Fire? What type of natural disasters might Japan experience?

Natural disasters 1707 eruption of Mt. Fuji March 2011: Earthquake hits off coast of Japan – registers 9.o One of the 5 largest earthquakes ever recorded! Causes a tsunami that reach 124 feet high!

Look at how many major earthquakes Japan has experienced in the last 50 years!

Early History 1192-1868 – Rise of the Samurai Samurai, or warrior clans, become powerful. Although Japan has an emperor, shoguns (military dictators) rule. 1274, 1281 - Kamikaze Kublai Khan's Mongol invasions are repelled with help of kamikaze ("divine winds" or storms). 1853 – US arrives in Japan U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrives with naval ships and demands the Japanese trade with the United States. 1895-1905 – Japan now the invader! Japan wins wars against China and Russia, gaining territory and international respect. 1910 – Japan takes Korea Japan takes over Korea.

Emperor Hirohito Lead Japan into WWII Dec. 7, 1941 – bombs Pearl Harbor

The End of WWII US drops atomic bombs on Japan on Aug. 6th (Hiroshima) & 9th (Nagasaki) Japan surrendered – August 1945 US occupied Japan – 1945 - 1952 Gen. Douglas MacArthur – oversaw occupation Goals of Allies concerning Japan Help create a democracy (modeled after US Constitution) Kept national legislature – Diet Allowed Emperor Hirohito to maintain his position IF he renounced that emperors were not divinely appointed and godlike Suspended laws that limited liberties … religious, political, and civil … included giving women the right to vote Reformed industries, education Conditions for ending occupation Responsible government established

Had to renounce the fact that emperors had divine appointment and godlike qualities. When this picture published, many Japanese would not look at it .. seeing their beloved emperor shorter than the hated MacArthur

Rebuilding the economy after WWII US also aided in rebuilding the economy Why would the US want to help rebuild a country they had just fought with? Better to have Japan as a future FRIEND and ALLY rather than a future enemy!

Rebuilding the economy after WWII How did the US aid in rebuilding the economy of Japan? Gave large sums of money via loans Shared manufacturing knowledge Provided resources for industries

Japan Today

Japan’s Government Today Constitutional Monarchy Emperor Symbolic only - no government powers Few duties – closely regulated by Constitution and only on the advice and consent of the Cabinet Parliamentary government Executive power Cabinet Prime minister Bicameral Diet (Japan’s bicameral legislature)

Trade! Limited Resources Therefore … what might this lead to? 73% of Japan is mountainous Only 15% of Japan’s land is arable (suitable for farming) Therefore, few natural resources Therefore … what might this lead to? Trade!

Economy Japan’s economy is one of the strongest in the world! Japan SPECIALIZES in technology! Major exports Cars, electronic devices, computers Major imports Oil, foodstuffs, wood Major trading partners US major trading partner – imports more than 25% of Japan’s exports!

Others dependent on Japan … Interdependence Japan dependent on others … Minerals essential to industry … iron ore and copper Forest products (wood) Agricultural products (largest foreign market for US agricultural products!) Others dependent on Japan … Electronic devices Computers Cars

Other interesting facts … Member of the United Nations since 1956. 1964: The Summer Olympics are held in Tokyo. The Games are the first ever held in the Far East. 1998: The Winter Olympics are held in Nagano. 2002: Japan and South Korea co-host the World Cup, the largest and most popular soccer tournament in the world.

Check our understanding …

Answer … Japan A. Japan B. Taiwan C. Indonesia D. Philippines Which Asian country consists of a series of islands and is located east of North and South Korea? A. Japan B. Taiwan C. Indonesia D. Philippines Answer … Japan

After WWII, the US helped Japan rebuild its economy in all the following ways EXCEPT by A. sharing its manufacturing knowledge. B. providing large sums of money through loans. C. requiring Japan to export goods only to Western nations. D. providing much needed resources for their industries. Answer … requiring Japan to export goods only to Western nations

Before late 19th century, Japan was an isolated nation Before late 19th century, Japan was an isolated nation. Which of the following is the main reason Japan became involved in the world community? A. The government needed foreign military intervention to stop a civil war. B. Religious leaders instructed the emperor to become Christian and westernize. C. The government became communist and established ties with the Soviet Union. D. Limited resources forced Japan's growing population to seek foreign markets. Answer … limited resources forced Japan’s growing population to seek foreign markets.

Which phrase best describes the nation of Japan? A. An island nation with large cities B. A peninsula of the Asian mainland C. A tropical nation that receives much rainfall D. A mountainous nation with many mineral resources Answer … an island nation with large cities

What is the role of the emperor in modern Japan? A. elected leader B. symbolic leader C. military leader D. economic leader Answer … symbolic leader

Answer … by providing transportation routes Since the end of WWII, in which way has seas and oceans most benefited Japan’s economy? A. by providing transportation routes B. by providing a source for electricity C. by providing a source of valuable minerals D. by providing water for desalinization Answer … by providing transportation routes

Answer … abolished the position of the emperor. All of the following statements about the constitution Japan adopted after WWII are true except that it A. created a democratic form of government. B. abolished the position of emperor. C. renounced the use of force in foreign policy. D. was modeled on the United States Constitution. Answer … abolished the position of the emperor.

Which of the following are important Japanese exports? A. tea, coffee, and fish B. wheat, cloth, and leather goods C. petroleum, iron ore, and minerals D. microchips, automobiles, and electronics Answer … microchips, cars, electronics

Which term describes Japan’s government today? A. democratic B. dictatorship C. socialist republic D. constitutional monarchy Answer … constitutional monarchy

A. Embargoes B. Specialization C. Trade barriers D. Quotas Because Japan has limited natural resources and little opportunity to export raw materials, they built a thriving industry around electronics. This would be an example of … A. Embargoes B. Specialization C. Trade barriers D. Quotas Answer … specialization

Japan Series of islands located … Bordered by which bodies of water? WWII When did Japan surrender? Until when was Japan occupied by the US military? Goals of occupation? democracy With emperor Suspend laws that limited ~ Reformed What had to be established in order for US to pull their military from Japan? What were samurais? Who were shoguns? Who does Japan take over in 1910? What type of natural disasters might Japan experience along the ring of fire? Who lead Japan into WWII and eventually surrendered to General MacArthur?

Japan US’s aid in rebuilding Japan’s economy … Gave large sums of money via loans Shared ____________________ knowledge Provided ________________ for industries Government Emperor Symbolic only! Parliamentary government Prime minister Bicameral Diet (___ - house legislature) Interdependence Japan depends on other countries for … ~ Others depend on Japan for … Limited Resources _____ natural resources Therefore, leads to ___________ Japan’s Economy Major exports - Major imports - Major trading partners -

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