DN: What are the geographical characteristics of Japan?
Why did I include this map as part of geography?
How have certain geographical characteristics shaped Japanese lifestyle/develop ment?? (use the map here to help with the 1st and/or 4th box. Feel free to walk to the front).
How have certain geographical characteristics shaped Japanese lifestyle/development?? Mountains: -Difficult to unite -Overcrowded plains and lowlands impact settlement and farming -Development of terrace farming -protection -National symbols: Mt.Fuji !
How have certain geographical characteristics shaped Japanese lifestyle/development? Few natural resources: -Must rely on trade! (esp. in modern times) -Few resources helped to create hardworking, resourceful society
How have certain geographical characteristics shaped Japanese lifestyle/development?? Archipelago w/ 4 main islands: –seas protected Japan (Korea as a buffer) and helped make it a unique culture (Ethnocentric) –Long coastline excellent fishing industry –Hard to unify: More clan based Come to use a feudal system
How have certain geographical characteristics shaped Japanese lifestyle/development?? Located on the “ring of fire” -Prone to have coastal towns destroyed, resources destroyed impact settlement patterns -Influence religious views -Different architecture
What geographic factor has had the most influential impact on Japanese development? To understand this, we will look at population ratios today
What geographic factor has had the most influential impact on Japanese development Space/lack of land becomes SO valued to the point where it will affect all parts of their lifestyle… It’s a problem b/c there is a high population density Size of California but with ½ pop of USA Land and space are expensive -golf, parking, etc.
How have the Japanese today tried to adapt to limited space/not enough land?
These streets were made for walking
Subways like Rolling Sardine Cans
Packed Parks
Overcrowded Graveyards Provide No Final Escape
Cheapest Hotels
Have a great (but cheap) sleep
Japanese apartments
Japanese Home Life Many Japanese live in small apartments Maximum use of space-living rooms double as bedrooms, etc. Many Japanese sleep on Futons which can be stored away during the day
Group Harmony over Personal Freedom Fits with Confucian (family first) and Buddhist beliefs (no selfish desires) Very polite society/little crime or litter
Miscellaneous Great respect for nature- Japanese gardens Great respect for space-feng shui “Smaller is better”-cars, electronics, etc.
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