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/development??

(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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inA-36YRV0Y&eurl=http://inventorspot.com/articles/six_startling_scenes_overcrowded_6802

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg9qnWg9kak