1. How were the Japanese islands formed?
QOD
How were the Japanese islands formed?
(HINT!)

2. Land of the Rising Sun

4. Physical Features
Archipelago
Four Main Islands: Honshu (80% of pop), Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido
Located in the Ring of Fire
7500 earthquakes per year
75 active volcanoes

6. Brief Japanese History Lesson
Highly developed civilization by time of Western contact
1853: U.S. forces trade agreement signatures

7. 1868-1912: Meiji Resoration Era
Hundreds of Japanese sent to west (USA/Europe) to study
Japan became more democratic
Equality between all men
New school system

8. 1900s Age of Imperialism Japan lacks resources (oil/iron)
Western example followed – take over weaker nations to exploit for resources
Defeated China, Russia, Korea, Manchuria

9. World War II
Aligned with Nazi Germany
Dec. 7, attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Ends when U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)

10. Pearl Harbor

11. Atomic bombs dropped on Japan

13. 1945-1952 U.S. Occupies Japan Military leaders removed from power
Emperor stripped of political power
Armed forces disbanded
Forbidden to rebuild military
Introduced democratic constitution with economic reforms

14. 1960s: RAPID Economic Success - How?
Highly educated workforce
+ Workplace attitude
Relative location
Gov’t. planning