JapanBy: Cheri-Lee Steyn Japanese I A

Geographic's: • Japan, a country of islands, extends along the

Pacific coast of Asia. The main island is Honshu, and the country has three other large islands—Hokkaido to the north and Shikoku and Kyushu to the south. More than 4,000 smaller islands surround the four largest.

• A modern transportation system connects the main islands, including the Seikan Tunnel linking Honshu to Hokkaido—the world's longest railroad tunnel at 54 kilometers (33 miles).

• Japan's high-speed trains (known as shinkansen, or bullet trains) connect major urban areas.

Economy: • The economy of Japan is the third largest in the world by nominal GDP, the fourth largest by

purchasing power parity and is the world's second largest developed economy.

• According to the International Monetary Fund, the country's per capita GDP (PPP) was at $36,899, the 22nd-highest in 2013. Japan is a member of Group of Eight. The Japanese economy is forecasted by the Quarterly Tankan survey of business sentiment conducted by the Bank of Japan.

• Due to a volatile CURRENCY EXCHANGE rate, Japan's GDP as measured in dollars fluctuates widely. Accounting for these fluctuations through use of the Atlas method, Japan is estimated to have a GDP per capita of around $38,490.

• Japan is the world's third largest automobile manufacturing country, has the largest electronics goods industry, and is often ranked among the world's most innovative countries leading several measures of global patent filings. Facing increasing competition from China and South Korea, manufacturing in Japan today now focuses primarily on high-tech and precision goods, such as optical instruments, hybrid vehicles, and robotics. Besides the Kantō region, the Kansai region is one of the leading industrial clusters and manufacturing centers for the Japanese economy.

Currency:

• The Japanese yen, symbol: ¥ ,is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro, and the pound sterling.

Food: Introduction• First While in Japan one can enjoy a

wide variety of interesting and delicious dishes, including tako-yaki, sushi, sashimi, and tempura. Japanese cuisine has evolved over centuries of social and political changes.

• Washoku (Japanese cuisine) usually refers to food that was around before 1868, the end of Japan's isolationist policies. A few aspects that set Japanese cuisine apart from other cuisines are it's emphasis on using quality ingredients, particular seasonality, and impeccable presentation. bullet point here

Food: Tempura• Tempura consists of vegetables or seafood that are covered in a light batter and then deep

fried. Tempura was originally brought to Japan by the people of Portugal. Now, tempura is one of the most popular foods in Japan and also one it's best-known exports.

• Tempura-ya (tempura restaurants) can be anything from low-priced chain fast food joints to classy fine diningestablishments.

• Tempura is usually part of a bento (lunch box) or set meal. It is especially popular in convenience or take-out bentos.

• There is a huge variety in the ways that tempura is served and cooked and even in what ingredients are used, although it is widely-accepted that dishes should utilize seasonal ingredients that are as fresh as possible. A high-quality tempura should need little else other than a sprinkle of salt.

Food: Sushi, Sashimi etc.• Sushi is a dish of rice cooked with vinegar topped

with seafood (often uncooked) or made into rolls. When raw fish is sliced and served alone, it is known as sashimi.

• When sushi is rolled around or inside of nori (seaweed), it is called makizushi. Inarizushi is when rice is packed into a fried tofu pouch, although many do not consider this an actual type of sushi. And, chirashi-zushi is sushi rice served in a bowl with scattered seafood on top.

• Many Japanese complain when they travel abroad that the quality of sushi is extremely low compared to Japanese standards.

• In a sign of how serious the Japanese are about food, Michelin recently awarded more restaurants in Tokyo a three star rating (the maximum rating) than any other city in the world, including Paris.

Religion: Shintoism• The exact origins of Shintoism are still unknown. Archaeological evidence

suggests some form of it was being practiced by the Yayoi people (400 B.C. - 250 A.D.). The Yayoi lived in clans called uji. Each uji had a leader who served as both the war-chief and spiritual leader. Each clan was associated with a single god, or kami. Kami represented objects in nature and wondrous aspects of the world. There were kami representing mountains, rivers, storms, and even rocks. When a clan defeated another clan in war they would assimilate the defeated clan's kami into their existing religion. In this way the Yayoi slowly built a complex hierarchy of kami.

• Many Japanese festivals, or matsuri, originated from early Shinto rituals. These festivals often symbolize hope for abundant rice production or spiritual health of the community. The festivals are often done inside a Shinto Shrine, or display some form or image of a Shrine. Many of these festivals can stretch for over several days. These usually include processions that bear an image of the local Kami through crowded streets to the sound of drums and flutes. The festivities vary with different locals, but they all have similar features: energy, noise, food, and exultation. This is an opportunity members of the local community to celebrate a joyful occasion together.

Religion: Buddhism • After its arrival from China and Korea in 538 A.D., Buddhism spread rapidly throughout

Japan. Many people were reluctant to accept Buddhism at that time because of nationalism and xenophobism. After the defeat of the Mononobe clan in 587 A.D., who were opponents of Buddhism, the religion spread unimpeded. Almost two centuries later, under Emperor Shomu's order, the temple of Todai-ji was built at Nara in 752.

• It is the largest wooden structure in the world housing a fifteen-meter high gilt-bronze statue of the Cosmic Buddha, later to be known as The Great Sun Buddha, or Dainichi Nyorai in Japanese. The Dainichi Nyorai was associated with Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess. With the identification of the Dainichi Nyorai with a Shinto kami so began the syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism. Today, The evidence of this syncretism can be seen throughout Japan.

• One of the more well-known festivals in Japan is the Bon Festival, also known as O-bon, an event that marks the annual visitation of departed ancestors to the surviving members of their family. This festival is characterized by visits to Buddhist temples and the decoration of alters of the departed. Days before the festival, ancestral graves are cleaned by family members in preparation for the return of the souls of the deceased. Many people also take this opportunity to return to their native towns to be with their families and visit local temples to pray and give offerings.

• Understanding the relationship between Buddhism and Shintoism can be confusing for foreigners. A common saying in Japan is, "We live as Shintoists, but die as Buddhists."

Entertainment:

• Karaoke

the karaoke machines supply the instrumentation and the lyrics. Karaoke bars are widespread all over Tokyo and other major cities in Japan–and virtually every U.S. city has bars with karaoke nights, so you can practice before you go. Modern karaoke bars are equipped with huge screens, a karaoke player, microphones, and audio systems.

• Amusement Parks

An implant from the U.S.—the most popular amusement park in Japan is Tokyo Disney, a mere fifteen rail minutes away from the Tokyo Station.

Japan’s entertainment world is one of the world’s biggest and most technologically innovative. Despite the culture and language barrier, several forms of Japanese entertainment are immensely popular around the world today

Entertainment: Continued

• MoviesThanks to the groundbreaking WORK of Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujiro Ozu, and others, Japanese cinema has long INFLUENCED film worldwide. The classic example is The Magnificent Seven, a clear tribute to Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Fast forward to today, and many films (like Spirited Away) are instant big hits worldwide. Both local and international releases run at movie theatres in shopping centers, malls, and multiplexes. Western movies are usually shown with subtitles or dubbed. Tokyo also sports more than a dozen Art House cinemas.

• Hot springsAs a volcanic country, Japan has thousands of scattered natural hot springs, or onsen. Almost every region has its own onsen resort town. PEOPLE often visit them with friends, family members, and colleagues. Onsen once served as public bathing places.

More EntertainmentThere is so much to entertain a person in this exquisite country, that there are too many to list.

• J-Pop

Japanese pop entered Japan’s musical mainstream in the 1990s. Modern J-pop owes its roots to the ’60s music of bands like the Beatles and replaced kayokyoku (lyric-signing) in the local music scene. Today, Japanese pop artists like the Southern All Stars, Mr. Children, and Ayumi Hamasaki are very popular in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

• Kubuki Founded in the early 17th century, Kabuki is a traditional FORM of Japanese theatre where roles are played by men. Although the play seems visually appealing, a typical performance goes on for four to five hours! Fortunately, at places like the Kabukiza Theater in Ginza, you can buy a ticket for just one act. Kabuki performances usually start in late morning. English headphone sets and guides are available for tourists.

Bibliographies:

Websites:

• Hackney, Greg. 'Japanese Food | Culture | Articles'. Facts-about-japan.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 June 2015.

• Hackney, Greg. 'Religion In Japan | Culture | Articles'. Facts-about-japan.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 June 2015.

• Hackney, Greg. 'Religion In Japan | Culture | Articles'. Facts-about-japan.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 June 2015.

• Kcpstudentlife.com,. 'Japanese Entertainment | KCP Student Life'. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 June 2015.

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