Land of the Rising Sun

1. Japan Land of the Rising Sun

2. Japan: Geography Most densely populated nation in the world – 844 people/sq mile Isolated from Asia: protected it from invasion and created distrust of foreigners Japan is a chain of islands consisting of four main islands and 3,000 smaller islands

3. Japan: Topography Mountains: 85 % of Japan 200 volcanoes; non-agricultural Coastline: irregular 75% of population in coastal cities

4. Japan: Climate Climate :4 seasons 40 inches of rain - driest part of Japan 100 inches in others

5. Japan: Resources Minerals: copper & coal Oil from Middle East: 90% Human Resource: their ability to industrialize lead to economic power Leading export: technology

6. Japan: Culture Hard work, practicality, modesty, reserve, humility, devotion, & loyalty Extremely loyal to their “group” Usually stay with “company” for life. Fired - great disgrace to person/family Greet with a bow, Remove shoes before entering, Do not eat while walking on the street.

7. Japan: Culture CONFORM: be/act like everyone else IMPOLITE: yawn/chew gum in public, point with finger Devoted to economic progress 3rd highest abortion rate in the world DATING: recent phenomenon – begins at 17 or 18, marry at 24-27 Traditional Japanese Family (changed after 1868) Patriarchal – male dominated If individuals threaten the family’s good name, the family would expel them

8. Japan: Culture Diet: Rice, fish, vegetables, fruit. Sports: Baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, skiing, jogging Traditional sports: sumo wrestling, judo, kendo, karate

9. Japan: History 660 BCE – 1185 CE: Imperial Period Ruled by an emperor, as noble families gained power the emperor’s rule weakened and became more religious and ceremonial

10. Japan: History 1185 – 1600 CE: Feudal Period Emperor: No political power Feudalism – a social, political and economic system based on personal loyalties, class distinctions, and the granting of land rights. Political power rested in the hands of military warlords Shogun – military governor general, assumed the political power of the emperor and ruled with the support of a noble class of landowners Daimyo – great landowners and powerful lords who swore allegiance to the shogun Samurai – warriors with a sworn allegiance to a daimyo or the shogun, in return for military support they were granted land and stated Ronin – Samurai warriors without an allegiance to a lord, they could be hired by other nobles Peasants and Artisans – peasants worked the farms and artisans made the weapons, in return for their services they received the protection of the samurais Merchants – were a low social class despite the fact that they might possess more wealth than members of other classes

11. Feudal Period Emperor Shogun Daimyo : vassals, samurai, soldiers Samurai Ronin Peasants /Artisans Merchants Bushido: code of behavior (seppuku) Isolation against foreigners - 1853

12. Japan History 1868-1912 Meiji Restoration Referred to as Enlightened Rule Japanese ended feudalism and began to modernize by borrowing actively from the West. Transportation: train system (bullet) Manufacturing: weapons /ship building industries Technology: students went abroad to study in the West to learn adapted new ideas to fit their culture Japan did not want to be colonized like China

13. Japan History Militarism: 1912 - 1945 During Taisho (1912-26) reign, power shifted from oligarchic rule to the parliament and democratic parties. WWI: Japan joined Allied powers - minor role in East Asia. Discrimination towards Japanese a major factor for the deterioration of relations (Exclusion Act 1924) Economical situation worsened. Natural disasters and depression of 1929 intensified crisis. 1930s: military established control over the government. Political enemies were assassinated; communists persecuted. Indoctrination and censorship in education and media were further intensified. Military officers occupied important offices including prime minister. 1931: Chinese Nationalists began to challenge Japan's position in Manchuria. Kwantung Army occupied. 1933: Japan withdrew from the League of Nations - heavily criticized for actions in China. Committed severe war atrocities on the Chinese population. 1940: Japan occupied Vietnam - joined Axis powers Germany and Italy. The U.S. and Britain reacted (oil boycott). Oil shortage made Japan decide to capture the oil rich Indonesia December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor .

14. Japan History Post WWII (1945 – 1952): U.S. Occupation of Japan U.S. helped the Japanese write a new democratic constitution Japan renounced its right to wage war and dismantled its military Emperor Hirohito publicly gave up all claims to divinity The power to make law went to the Japanese legislature called the Diet

15. Japan Today Despite having few natural resources , Japan has become an economic powerhouse Continued its pattern of selective borrowing through cultural diffusion: Chinese writing, Imperial court procedures, Architectural design, and Confucian thought Borrowing western technology and using innovation and marketing skills to adapt it has made Japan a significant influence in global economy Financial structure provides capital for economic growth – save 20% of income – buy little on credit – increases MS Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Formed in 1967 to develop economic and social cooperation among non-communist nations in South East Asia Trade imbalance with US Skilled work force: Competitive education system and Universal literacy

16. Japan’s Challenges Economic: High food /housing costs The rift from US collapse Social: Aging population Whale Wars Yakuza (extortion, prostitution, wrestling   Foreign Relations: Ally of US today but must worry about its neighbor to the west – North Korea