1. What kind of tectonic activity does Japan experience?
Why do they experience these types of activity?
Why does Japan have very little arable land?
How have the Japanese adapted to a small percentage of arable land?
How have homes been adapted in Japan?
How can the Japanese culture be described?
What three religions dominate in Japan?
How have the Japanese tried to reduce pollution of the environment?

2. Japan “Land of the Rising Sun”x

3. Physical Characteristics
Archipelago the size of California
4 large islands, 3,900 small islands
Ring of Fire
Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis
Typhoons
Temperate climate
Mountainous
Little arable land (10-15%)

4. Land Use Build up and underground Building land in deltas and wetlands
Terracing

5. One of the highest population densities in the world
Population Density
One of the highest population densities in the world
7,219 people per square mile

6. Housing Apartments smaller than typical American family room (video)
Multiple use rooms, futons
Tiny appliances
Bonsai trees
Cremated after death
Capsule hotels

7. Transportation
Average commute 90 minutes in Tokyo
Extensive and efficient public transportation system
Pushers (video)
Bullet trains
Traffic jams
Parking

8. Japanese Culture Homogenous Middle Class Highly educated
Crowded urban areas

9. Religious Influences Secular lives Shintoism Buddhism Confucianism
Worship forces of nature and spirits of ancestors,
Alters in homes, prayers and sacrifices
Buddhism
Spiritual enlightenment, live selflessly and modestly
Confucianism
Respect wisdom of authority, importance of common good

10. Health Pollution, Acid Rain Strict environmental laws Masks
Garbage, Recycling

11. Koreas
A Land of Opposites

12. Common Cultural Characteristics
Invasions throughout history
Borrowed from Chinese culture
writing system
Language
Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism

13. Korean War 1949: US withdrew from south Fought for 3 years
At end of WWII, USSR occupied North Korea and USA occupied South Korea
USSR established communist gov’t in North Korea
1949: US withdrew from south
1950: North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea
USSR and China supported North Korea
US and UN supported South Korea
Fought for 3 years
Korean War

14. Korean War Results: Why was it fought? 4 million people died
Cease-fire agreement in at 38N parallel – still in effect today
Demilitarized zone
Still divided and hostile
Why was it fought?
The goal of North Korea attacking South Korea was to unite the two countries as a single communist country.

15. North Korea Today 23 million people Continental climate – cold
Lower population density
Rural
Continental climate – cold
Mountainous and rugged
Hydroelectric power
Resource poor

16. North Korea Today Agricultural economy Isolated, secretive Communist
Low standard of living since 1991 (fall of USSR)
Kim Jong-un
Withdrew from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1993

17. South Korea Today 47 million people
¼ population in Seoul
Densely populated
Climate mild because of surrounding water
Less mountainous, plains
More arable land

18. South Korea Today Industrialized Nuclear energy
Economic growth with international trade
Exporter of textiles, automobiles, electronics