Japan

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Japan Charles F. Gritzner South Dakota State University

Douglas A. Phillips Kristi L. Desaulniers

Philadelphia

 Frontispiece: Flag of Japan Cover: View of Mount Fuji. CHELSEA HOUSE PUBLISHERS VP, NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Sally Cheney  VP, IRECT CTOR OR OF PRODUCTION Kim Shinners DIRE CREATIVE MANAGER  Takeshi Takahashi MANUFACTURING MANAGER  Diann Grasse

Staff for JAPAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR  Lee Marcott PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Megan Emery  ESEARCHER  21st Century Publishing PICTURE R ESEARCHER  Publishing and Communicatio Communications, ns, Inc. COVER  DESIGNER  Keith Trego SERIES DESIGNER  Takeshi Takahashi LAYOUT 21st Century Publishing Publishing and Communicatio Communications, ns, Inc. ©2004 by Chelsea Chelsea House House Publishers, Publishers, a subsidiary subsidiary of Haights Cross Cross Communicatio Communications. ns. All rights reserved. reserved. Printed and bound in in the United United States States of America.

http://www.chelseahouse.com First Printing 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-P Cataloging-in-Publication ublication Data Gritzner, Charles F. Gritzner, F. Japan Japa n / Charles Charles F. F. Grit Gritzner zner,, Dougla Douglass A. Phill Phillips, ips, Kris Kristi ti L. Desaulniers. p. cm. — (M (Moder odern n wor world ld nati nations) ons) Includes index. ISBN 0-7910-7239-8 (hardcove (hardcover) r) — ISBN 0-7910-7504-4 (paperback) (paperback) 1. Japan—J Japa n—Juve uvenile nile lite literatur rature. e. [1. Japa Japan.] n.] I. Phill Phillips, ips, Dougla Douglass A. II. Desaul Des aulnie niers, rs, Kr Krist istii L. III III.. Ti Title tle.. IV IV.. Se Serie ries. s. DS806.G75 2003 952—dc21 2003009309

ISBN 0-7910-7239-8

Table of Contents

1 Introducing Japan

9

2 The Natural Environment

13

3 Japan’s Early History

29

4 The Birth of Modern Japan

39

5 People and Culture

51

6 Government

61

7 The Economy

67

8 Living in Japan Today

79

9 Japan Looks Ahead

95

Facts at a Glance History at a Glance Further Reading Index

98 99 101 102

Japan

 Bonsai  is

an aspect of Japanese culture that illustrates the harmony between humankind, nature, order, and beauty. These dwarf trees are prized for their longevity and beauty.

1 Introducing Japan

I

t is one one of the most most amazi amazing ng coun countrie triess in the the world world.. The Japanese call it Nippon  or Nihon , mean meaning ing the sourc sourcee of the Sun. Sun. Otherss call it Other it the Land Land of the Rising Rising Sun. We call it it Japan. Japan. This small sm all nati nation on of of sca scatte ttere red d island islandss off off the eas easter tern n coast coast of of ma mainl inland and Asiaa is often Asi often called called the “Mi “Miracle racle of of the Orient. Orient.”” It has risen risen from from obscurity and self-imposed isolation to a position as a global economic giant in little more than a century. Yet considering the country’ coun try’ss physical physical geograph geographyy, its history history,, and its huge huge population population,, Japan should have have been a huge failure. Japan had to overcome overcome many  many  seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve its present-day place among amo ng major major world world natio nations. ns. The Japan Japanese ese peop peoples les’’ spiri spirit, t, dete determirmination, natio n, wor work k ethic, and knowledg knowledgee have have been their primary primary tools tools in achieving this “miracle.” Japan poses poses many questions. questions. How has such a small country, country,

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Japan with almost no natural resources, resources, become the world’s world’s second strongest industrial economy? economy? How can people with traditions so different different than those of Americans still be like like us in so many  ways? How did a country that attacked the United States during World War II and suffered the devastating consequence que ncess of its actio actions ns becom becomee one of our stro stronges ngestt allies? allies? Why has Japan’s economy weakened during recent years? What is its future in these troubled economic times? These are  just some so me of the intri in triguing guing questi q uestions ons that th at will wil l be answered answe red in the page pagess of this book book.. The Japanese place a high value on the harmony between huma hu mank nkin ind, d, na natu ture re,, or orde derr, an and d bea beauty uty.. On Onee tra trait it as asso soci ciat ated ed with Japanese Japanese culture (way of of life) that illustrates illustrates these values values is the bonsai  trad traditi ition on.. A bonsa bonsaii is is a “dw dwarf” arf” tre tree, e, oft often en with gnarled gnarl ed trunk and and of grea greatt age. Such trees trees are are grown grown in small, small, shallow pots and with little soil. Yet they thrive and are prized for their durability durability and beauty. beauty. The bonsai tradition tradition and technique, niq ue, whi which ch invo involv lves es exte extens nsiv ivee prunin pruningg of gro growth, wth, wa wass first first practiced in China. It appears to have have been introduced into Japan Ja pan during during the Kamak Kamakura ura period, period, about 800 800 years years ago. ago. The Japane Ja panese se rapidly rapidly adopted adopted the method. method. In a short time, time, they far surpassed the Chinese in the quality and beauty beauty of bonsai trees. trees. In translation, translation, an ancient ancient Japanese Japanese scroll says, says, “T “To o appreciate appreciate and find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity..” Un deformity Understanding derstanding the bonsai b onsai tradition provides some lessons that help us better understand Japan and its people. The bonsai bonsai traditio tradition, n, for exampl example, e, is ancient ancient and many many of of the trees are very old. Japan Japanese ese culture is also ancient and and today today, Japanese Japan ese people enjoy the world’ world’ss longest life expectancy expectancy.. Bonsai are rugg rugged ed in appe appearan arance. ce. So is the the country country of of Ja Japan pan,, with its its several thousand islands dominated by rugged mountain landscapes. scape s. Bons Bonsai ai trees trees are are small, small, gnarl gnarled, ed, and grow grow in in very very limited limited space and and soil. The first impression impression of many travelers to Japan Japan is how how small small and cro crowd wded ed things things are. are. Ja Japan panese ese house houses, s, by  American standard standards, s, are tiny tiny,, as are vehicles, applianc appliances, es, and even

Introducing Japan the people themselv themselves, es, many of whom are are quite small in stature. The country’s 127 million people are crowded into a very small area, as are bonsai in their tiny tiny pots. And like like the bonsai bonsai with its limit lim ited ed amo amount unt of soi soil, l, the co count untry ry has has almo almost st no no natura naturall resources to help its economy grow. When China introduced introduced the bonsai bonsai tradition, the Japanese Japanese rapidly adopted adopted the technique and improved improved the practice. practice. In a similar manner manner, when the West West introduced industry industry,, commer commerce, ce, and urbanization, urbanization, the Japanese Japanese rapidly adopted adopted the new new ideas. Within slightly more than a century, century, they became the world’ world’s second ranking industrial industrial power power.. Japan also quickly quickly became urbanized urban ized.. Toda odayy, Jap Japan an’’s capital city of Toky okyo, o, with Yok Yokohom ohomaa and other adjoining adjoining suburbs, suburbs, forms the world’ world’ss largest metrometropolitan center center with a population of nearly 30 million. Even Ev en the “d “defor eformity” mity” of the bonsai bonsai trees trees has a parallel parallel with Japan and its people. Japan, perhaps more more than any other councountry,, suff try suffers ers from from deformi deformities ties of natu nature. re. They come come in the form of  of  frequent and often often devastating earthquakes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, eruptions, tropica tro picall storms storms,, floo floods, ds, and othe otherr natural natural haza hazards rds.. Fina Finally lly,, bonsai bon sai trees trees are are things things of grea greatt beauty. beauty. As you you journey journey through through Japan Jap an in the pages pages of this book, book, the authors authors hope hope you will come come to see the beauty of Japan. To see the geographic beauty radiated radiated by this unique land and its enduring people.

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Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, is located on the island of Honshu. The beauty of its snowcapped peak has inspired Japanese artists for centuries.

2 The Natural Environment

I

n many many ways, ways, natur naturee has not not treated treated Japan Japan kindly kindly.. In fact, few countries face more geographical and environmental obstacles than does does Japan. Japan. Its location location off the eastern eastern edge edge of  of  Asiaa isolates Asi isolates the count country ry from the the rest rest of the world. world. Jap Japan an faces faces the chal challe leng ngee of ex extr trem emee fragm fragmen entat tatio ion. n. The arc archi hipe pela lago go,, or chai ch ain n of is isla land nds, s, in incl clud udes es fou fourr majo majorr isla island ndss — Ho Hokk kkai aido do,, Honsh Ho nshu, u, Shi Shik kok oku, u, and Kyus Kyushu hu — and thou thousan sands ds of sm small aller er ones ones (3,413 by one count!). count!). To further complicate complicate its geographical geographical distribution,, the islands lie scattered distribution scattered along a southwest-northeast southwest-northeast axis spanning nearly nearly 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) kilometers).. Pr Providin ovidingg transportation among the islands islands is difficult and costly. costly. Fragmented countries often suffer from conflicting cultures and can be very  difficult to govern. The natural environment also poses many economic challenges. 13

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Japan It offers few natural resources to support the country’s huge industriall economy. industria economy. App Appro roximatel ximatelyy 95 percent of all environenvironmental men tal reso resourc urces es (metal (metals, s, fuel fuels, s, wo wood, od, and so so forth) forth) used used in Japan’s Japan ’s booming industries must be imported. Additionally Additionally,, because of its rugged rugged terrain, terrain, only about 15 15 percent percent of Japa Japan n’s land is relatively relatively flat and well suited suited to farming, urban development, opm ent, and trans transporta portation tion.. The cou country ntry also also experi experienc ences es manyy natural man natural haza hazards rds.. In fact, fact, few cou countrie ntriess on Earth are more subject to nature’s nature’s wrath than is Japan. In this chapter, chapter,  you learn about thes thesee obst obstacles acles and how the Japanese have adapted to them. LOCATION

Location is often Location often the the most importa important nt of all environ environ-mentall condition menta conditions. s. Certai Certainly nly,, this holds holds true for for Japan. Japan. The country’s location holds the key to understanding much of  its history and and geography geography. Huge and powerful powerful China lies some 500 500 miles (800 (800 kilometers kilometers)) to the west, acro across ss the Eastt China Eas China Sea and Sea Sea of Jap Japan. an. Rus Russia sia’’s vast vast Siberian Siberian territoryy looms less than 200 miles (320 kilometers) across territor the Sea Sea of Ja Japan pan.. Onl Onlyy a few miles miles sepa separat ratee South South Kor Korea ea from the Japanese islands. The Communist-controlled Communist-controlled and and often ofte n belliger belligerent ent “He “Hermit rmit Kingd Kingdom om”” of No North rth Kore Koreaa lies lies about 500 miles (800 kilometers) across the Sea of of Japan. To the east, across some 4,000 miles (6,400 (6,400 kilometers) of  open Pacific Ocean, lie Japan’ Japan’s major markets in the Unite United d States and Canada. Island Isl and cou countrie ntries, s, if they are to pro progre gress, ss, mus mustt ove overc rcome ome the chall challeng engee of bein beingg isolat isolated ed from from other other lan lands, ds, peo peoples ples,, ideas, ide as, and eco econom nomies ies.. To solv solvee this this pro problem blem,, the Ja Japan panese ese havee develope hav developed d one of the world’ world’ss best netwo networks rks of sea and and air linkages. linkages. For travel travel between islands they have created created one of the wo world rld’’s fin fines estt dom domes estic tic ai airr, rai rail, l, an and d wat water er (f (ferry erry,, bridge, brid ge, and tunn tunnel) el) netw networks orks.. “Ge “Gettin ttingg aroun around” d” pose posess little little problem pro blem for most most Japanese. Japanese. An island island location location can also

The Natural Environment

15

Japan is located in the northern Pacific Ocean off the coast of mainland Asia. Japan’s island location has both protected and isolated the country throughout history.

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Japan benefit a country benefit country.. Isola Isolation, tion, for exam example, ple, has been a chief  chief  factor fac tor in preserving preserving the unity of Japa Japanese nese people people and culture. culture. Until the United States and its allies successfully invaded Japan in 1945, 1945, bringing an end to World World War War II, no conquering army had ever reached Japan Japan’s ’s shores. A true appreciation appreciation of Japa Japan n’s location is difficult difficult to gain fro from m looki looking ng at at a flat flat map map.. If Ja Japan pan is viewe viewed d on a globe, glo be, ho howe weve verr, the im impor portan tance ce of of the co coun untry’ try’ss posi positio tion n relative relati ve to other nations nations can be better understoo understood. d. Japa Japan n lies just beyond Alaska along what geographers call a “great circle route” route” between North North and South America and and much of ea east stern ern As Asia ia.. To see this this rela relatio tions nship hip,, pla place ce one one end end of a string anyplace on the Americas and the other end crossing coastal coa stal Chin China, a, the Phil Philipp ippine ines, s, Sin Singapo gapore, re, or Ind Indone onesia sia.. No matter where where the ends ends are placed, the string will fall on on or closee to Japan clos Japan.. As the focus focus of of globa globall trade and and commer commerce ce has changed from the North Atlantic to countries bordering the Pacific Pacific Rim, Japa Japan n’s location has become a great asset. To the west, in southern, southern, southeas southeastern, tern, and eastern eastern Asia live moree than half mor half of the world’ world’ss people people (and (and rapidly rapidly growi growing ng potentiall markets). potentia markets). The world’ world’ss largest largest markets, markets, the United United States and and Canada, Canada, are separated separated from from Japan Japan by about a 10-day voyag voyagee by huge, huge, fast, cargo ships ships or a half-day half-day flight by cargo plane. LAND

Volcanic mountaintop mountaintopss that rise from the bottom of the Pacif acific ic Ocean Ocean form form nearly nearly all of of Ja Japan. pan. Sligh Slightly tly more more than than 80 perce percent nt of the country country is is compo composed sed of of rugg rugged ed hills hills and and mountai mou ntains. ns. In fact, fact, onl onlyy about about 15 percen percentt of Ja Japan pan’’s land land is classif clas sified ied as plains. plains. The lack of pla plains ins makes makes travel, travel, farm farming, ing, and building building difficult difficult and costly costly.. Because most most of the country’s country’s huge,, spra huge sprawlin wlingg cities cities are are located located on on plains plains,, muc much h of the flat land is not not available available for farming. With few exception exceptions, s, Japanese Japa nese settlement, settlement, agriculture agriculture,, and industry industry have have avoided avoided

The Natural Environment

the mountainous mountainous regions. Man Manyy such areas remain remain sparsely  populate pop ulated, d, quit quitee isolat isolated, ed, and eco econom nomicall icallyy unde underdev rdeveleloped. op ed. The smal smalll valley valleyss of fla flatt land land and nar narro row w coasta coastall plains support much of Japan Japan’’s population and economy economy.. Indeed, Ind eed, few places places in in the world world can match match Japan Japan for for crowded space. Of Jap Japan an’’s several several hund hundred red vol volcanoe canoes, s, none is more more pictures pictu resque, que, widel widelyy recogniz recognized, ed, or worshipe worshiped d by its peo people ple than is the beautiful Mount Fuji (also called Fujiyama or Fuji San). San). In fact, it is one of Jap Japan an’’s most widely widely recogniz recognized ed symbol sym bols. s. Thi Thiss famous famous,, co cone ne-sh -shape aped, d, ex extin tinct ct volc volcani anicc peak  peak  towers 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) above the Kanto Plain about 70 miles miles (110 kilometers) kilometers) south southwest west of Tokyo and Yokohama. Japan’’s land features have posed Japan posed many challenges. challenges. As you will learn later in this chapter, chapter, Japan Japan’’s land also can be deadly. The threat threat of volc volcanic anic eruptio eruptions ns is only one of the natural natural hazards with which Japanese must contend; contend; there are are also earthquakes and various kinds kinds of earth flows and slides.  WEATHER  WEA THER AND CLIMA CLIMATE TE

Climate is defined Climate defined as the long-t long-term erm average average of of daily  weather conditi conditions. ons. Mete Meteorolo orologists gists (scientists (scientists who study  study  the atmosphere) and climatologists (scientists who study  the weather) are interested in such atmospheric elements as tempe te mperat ratur ure, e, pr preci ecipi pitat tatio ion, n, win wind, d, and sto storms rms.. Ja Japan pan lie liess in the middle middle latitu latitudes. des. The southe southernmo rnmost st island island of Oki Okinaw nawaa is located located at at 26° North Latitud Latitude, e, the same same as Miami, Miami, Flori Florida. da. Northern No rthern Hokk Hokkaido aido reach reaches es about about 46° North Latitude Latitude,, comparabl com parablee to to centra centrall Maine Maine.. Becau Because se of this latit latitudin udinal al span,, Jap span Japan an has a wide range range of clim climates ates simi similar lar to to that of  the easter eastern n coast coast of the Unite United d States. States. Mo Most st of Jap Japan an located located south sout h of Toky okyo o enjoy enjoyss a mild, mild, humi humid d subtrop subtropical ical clima climate te similar to that of the coastal coastal southeastern southeastern United United States. To the north, north, a more more mode moderate rate clim climate ate pre prevail vails, s, with coole coolerr

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Japan

Japan is composed of four main islands — Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu — and thousands of smaller islands. Japan’s capital and largest city, Tokyo, is located on the island of Honshu.

The Natural Environment summers and longer colder winters similar to those of  New England. Japan’’s temperatures are influenced Japan influenced by latitude, closenesss to the sea, nes sea, and elev elevati ation on.. Lat Latitu itude de dete determi rmines nes the the angle at which the rays rays of the sun strike strike Earth’ Earth’s surface. surface. Heating is greatest in the equatorial latitudes and decreases toward towa rd the poles. poles. Southe Southern rn Japan, Japan, there therefor fore, e, enjo enjoys ys a warm climate and long growing growing season. Temperatures generally  generally  decrease decr ease as one goes northward. northward. Toky okyo, o, in central Honshu, Honshu, has a climate similar similar to to that of coastal North North Carolina Carolina or Virginia. Vir ginia. Farther north northward, ward, Hok Hokkaido kaido’’s temperature temperaturess are similarr to those of simila of the northeast northeastern ern United United States. Because of its cold, snowy winter winters, s, Hok Hokkaido kaido has hosted hosted the Wi Winter nter Olympics twice. No place in Japan is located more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) met ers) from from the sea. sea. Ind Indeed, eed, clo closene seness ss to the ocean ocean play playss an important role in moderating the country’s temperatures. Land temperatures near large water bodies generally do not get as hot or cold as do those in places located away from large wate waterr bodies bodies.. In Jap Japan, an, tem temperat perature uress rarely rarely rea reach ch 100° 10 0°F F (38°C (38°C). ). In the the sout south, h, Sh Shik ikok oku, u, Kyu yush shu, u, th thee Ryuk Ryukyu yu Island Isl ands, s, and souther southern n Honshu Honshu enjo enjoyy a mild, humid subtropical trop ical climate. climate. At lowe lowerr elevations, elevations, fros frostt is uncommo uncommon. n. Here, farmers enjoy enjoy a 365-day growing growing season and are able to prod produce uce two two rice crop cropss each year year.. In the north, winter temperatures do not get as cold as they do at comparable latitudes in the United States. Finallyy, much of Japa Finall Japan n is mount mountainou ainous. s. Elevati Elevation on exe exerts rts a strongg influenc stron influencee on temperat temperatures ures.. In Japan, Japan, a person person can be sweltering swelt ering in a lowland lowland location, location, yet look look upward upward at snowcovere cov ered d mountain mountain peak such as the summit summit of Mou Mount nt Fuji. Typically ypically,, temp temperatur eratures es drop about about 3.5°F (about 1°C) with every ev ery 1,000 foot (300 meters) increase in elevation. With about abo ut 80 perc percent ent of of Japa Japan n cover covered ed by by hills and mounta mountains, ins, elevation is an important temperature control.

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Japan Rainfall is abundant abundant throughou throughoutt Japan. Japan. Amounts of rainfall range from more than 80 inches (200 centimeters) in much muc h of the sout south, h, to about about 20 inche inchess (50 centi centimete meters) rs) in in drier dri er port portio ions ns of of Ho Hokk kkaid aido o. In low lower er elev elevati ation onss of ce centr ntral al and southern Japan, nearly all moisture moisture falls in in the form of  rain. In the far north north and at high elevations on on the island of  Honshu, Honsh u, winter precip precipitation itation often falls as snow snow,, sometimes very ve ry heavy heavy. As is true thro througho ughout ut most most of the world, world, summ summer er is the season of heaviest preci precipitation. pitation. Particul Particularly arly in in central central and southern southern parts of the country country,, summe summerr storms storms— — incl including uding those associated with typhoons (Pacific (Pacific Ocean hurricanes)— hurricanes) — can bri bring ng to torre rrenti ntial al rai rain, n, sev sever eree flo flood odin ing, g, lan landsl dslid ides, es, and mud flows. Precipitation Preci pitation in in Japan is affected affected by a system system of seasonal monsoon mon soon winds. winds. These winds winds blow onto onto the contine continent nt during the summer summer and out of the continent’ continent’s interior during the winter. winter. The seasonally shifting shifting winds also cause a change change in precip precipitati itation on pattern patterns. s. Durin Duringg the winter winter months, months, winds blowing blo wing out out of Asi Asiaa sweep sweep across across the the Sea of of Jap Japan an bringin bringingg moisturee to the western-facing moistur western-facing mountain mountain slopes. During the summer,, the winds shift directio summer direction, n, blowing from from the the east and bringing more more moisture to eastern eastern Japan. No place place in Japan, however howev er,, suffers from prolonged prolonged seasonal drought. ECOSYSTEMS

At one one time, forests cover covered ed most hillsides in Japan. Forests of ev everg ergre reens ens and bro broadl adleaf eaf dec decidu iduous ous tre trees es thriv thrived ed in in the warm, humi humid d south. south. No Norther rthern n Hons Honshu hu suppo supported rted for forests ests consisting of con cone-bea e-bearing ring evergre evergreens ens and broadleaf broadleaf decid deciduous uous species. specie s. Dense forests forests of con cone-beari e-bearing ng evergree evergreens ns also covere covered d much of the coole coolerr northern northern island island of Hok Hokkaid kaido. o. Nearly Ne arly all all housing housing in Japa Japan, n, and much much of of the fuel fuel burned burned in tradi traditio tional nal hom homes, es, co come mess from from wood wood.. At one one time, time, the country’ cou ntry’ss forests forests were severel severelyy depleted. depleted. Toda odayy, how howeve everr, much of the woodlan woodland d has been rest restore ored. d. Rather than cu cutt tting ing

The Natural Environment

Fishing traps help provide seafood, which is one of the staples of the Japanese diet. These fishing traps at Arai, a settlement south of Tokyo, are located close to shore.

its own forests, forests, Japan has has become become the world’ world’ss leading importer of lumber and other other forest forest products products (includi (including ng sawdust used in the making making of pressed board). Japan Jap an’’s marine ecosyst ecosystem em is vital to its its survival. The country has long depended depended on the ocean for food. The waters surrounding Japan are among the world’s richest fisheries. Fish,, shell Fish shellfish fish,, crust crustacea aceans, ns, and even even edible edible seawee seaweed d abound. abound. Japanese fishing vessels also ply the world’s seas in search of 

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Japan catches.. Ind catches Indeed eed,, the Japan Japanese ese diet diet consists consists mostl mostlyy of sea seafoo food. d. Some scientists believe that diet is one reason the Japanese enjoy the world’s longest life expectancy. ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENT AL HAZARDS HA ZARDS

Few places places can match match Japan Japan in terms terms of envir environmen onmental tal hazards. hazar ds. The country country has experienc experienced ed some some of nature nature’’s most violent viol ent eve events, nts, inc includi luding ng earth earthquak quakes, es, vo volcan lcanic ic erup eruption tions, s, tsunamiss (“tidal waves”), tsunami waves”), typhoons (hurricane-like (hurricane-like storms), storms), earth flow flow or slide, slide, and floodi flooding. ng. Ad Additi ditiona onally lly,, vari various ous areas areas of the country country are are subject subject to less less devastat devastating ing hazar hazards. ds. Hokkaido, Hokkai do, for example, example, frequently suffers from raging raging summer forest fires fires and blinding blinding winter blizzards. blizzards. Because the country  and its people are constantly threatened by nature’s wrath, Japan Japa n is the world leader leader in natural hazard research, research, predic predic-tion,, and protecti tion protection. on. Japan Japa n is located located in in a region region of geolo geologic gic instability  instability  known kno wn as the “Pa “Pacific cific Ring Ring of Fire. Fire.”” This region region includes includes approximately appro ximately 80 percent of the world’s world’s volcanoes and is subject to frequent frequent earthquakes. Japan is a world world leader in the occurrence of both environm environmental ental hazards hazards.. Add Additionall itionallyy, violent events occurring on the ocean floor can cause devastating devastati ng tsunamis tsunamis,, incorr incorrectly ectly called “tidal “tidal wav waves. es.”” Geologica Geol ogically lly,, nea nearly rly all all of Ja Japan pan is a resul resultt of vol volcani canism. sm. That is to to say, say, nearly all all of the country’s country’s land has has risen from from the seaflo seafloor or as a result result of vo volcan lcanic ic activity activity.. In fact, fact, Ja Japan pan is is homee to about hom about 100 100 activ activee volcan volcanoes, oes, som somee of whic which h erupt erupt with great regularity. regularity. Man Manyy other volcanoes volcanoes are classified as being being inacti inactive, ve, or dorman dormant. t. Scienti Scientists sts believ believee that that the country’ coun try’ss most famou famouss volcano volcano,, Mo Mount unt Fuji, Fuji, is dormant. dormant. In recen recentt history history,, non nonee of the country country’’s volcan volcanoes oes have have erupted with devastating results. People have adjusted to the threats posed posed by the volcanoes. volcanoes. Settlement and and land use are designed to minimize potential destruction caused by  periodic eruptions.

The Natural Environment

Few places on Earth are more prone to earthquakes than is Japan Japan.. In fact, the cou country ntry ave averages rages abou aboutt 1,500 1,500 earthquakess each year — about four each day! Nearly quake Nearly all Japanese, Japanese, no matter matter where where they reside, reside, live in constant constant threat threat of  tremors. In addition addition to the direct destruction caused by  earthquakes, earthquake s, they also trigger other hazards, hazards, includi including ng crushing landsli landslides des and crashing crashing coasta coastall tsunamis. tsunamis. Duri During ng the 20th century, century, the country experienced experienced 13 major earthquakes earthquakes measuring 7.0 or higher on the Richter Scale (a measure of  earthquake intensi intensity). ty). Such earthquakes earthquakes can can be devastating, devastating, particularly if they occur in a densely densely populated populated area. area. Japan’’s most disastrous Japan disastrous earthquake earthquake in terms terms of loss of  life happe happened ned just just before before noon noon on on Septembe Septemberr 1, 1923. The violent tremor tremor struck struck near the heart of the country’s country’s most densely populat populated ed area— area — the Kanto Kanto Plain, Plain, home to to the huge huge cities citi es of Toky okyo o and Yok okoham ohama. a. Its magnit magnitude ude of of 8.3 on on the Richter Rich ter Scale Scale was comp comparabl arablee to that of of the 1906 earthearthquakee that devastated quak devastated San Franci Francisco sco,, Cali Californ fornia. ia. The event event left Tokyo Tokyo’’s business, industrial, and residential residential districts in ruins. ruin s. Becau Because se the the earthqu earthquake ake struck aro around und noo noon, n, man many  y  homes and restaurants had fires lighted to prepare lunch. Tradi raditio tional nal Jap Japanes anesee homes homes,, mad madee mostly mostly of woo wood d and and paperr, pr pape provid ovided ed abundan abundantt fuel for the the hungry hungry flames. flames. No waterr was availabl wate availablee to fight the raging raging infern inferno, o, becau because se water pipes were broken broken by the tremor. tremor. As many as 140,000 people died died and hundreds hundreds of thousands were were left homeless in the Great Tokyo Tokyo Earthquake. Earthquake. This tragic event remains remains Japan’s greatest natural disaster as measured by loss of  human life. Another terrible earthquake struck Japan in the early dawn of Jan anua uary ry 17 17,, 19 1995 95.. At tha thatt tim time, e, mo most st res esid iden ents ts of Kob obee — Japan’’s fifth-largest Japan fifth-largest city with a population population of 1.5 million million — were  yawning and stretching themselves awake. Suddenly Suddenly,, disaster struck. struc k. In a mere mere 20 seconds, seconds, a huge earthqu earthquake ake (7.2 (7.2 on the the Richter Scale) Scale) rocked rocked Kobe Kobe to its very foundation, foundation, leaving

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Japan

Earthquakes are a persistent danger in Japan. In 1995, a major earthquake struck the city of Kobe, killing more than 5,000 people and leaving over 300,000 people homeless.

much of much of the city a blazi blazing ng ruin ruin of tan tangled gled de destru structio ction. n. Mo More re than 5,000 lives were lost and another 37,000 people were seriously injured. injured. Nearly 200,000 buildings buildings were ruined and an estimated 300,000 people (one-fifth of the city’s city’s residents) were were leftt homele lef homeless. ss. Bec Becaus ausee pipeli pipelines nes ruptu rupture red, d, nea nearly rly 1 mill million ion households were were without water or natural gas. Prope Property rty losses weree estimated wer estimated to be as high high as $100 billion, billion, makin makingg it the world’ worl d’ss most costly costly natural disaster disaster of all time. Iro Ironicall nicallyy, Kobe was considered considered to be one of of Japan Japan’’s safest cities in terms of  potential seismic activity and damage.

The Natural Environment Tsunamis (Japanese for “harbor wave”) are huge waves caused by earthquakes that occur on the ocean ocean floor. floor. No place place on Earth is more prone to tsunami devastation than is Japan — with its many cities and towns built bordering the sea on low-lying coastal coastal plains plains.. At sea, sea, a tsunami tsunami can pass pass unnotice unnoticed d as nothing more than than a swell traveling traveling at at a speed of up to 5000 miles per hour (800 kilometers 50 kilometers per hour). As a tsunami approache appr oachess the shore shore and shallow shallow water water,, how howeve everr, the water water rises and begins to crest crest in a series series of huge waves. waves. Und Under er certain conditions—as in a funnel-shaped harbor—a tsunami can rise to more more than 100 feet (30 (30 meters). meters). The surging wav waves es destroy everything in their path as they crash ashore, then carry  debris back to sea with the receding water. With much of of its populati population on cluster clustered ed along along the coast coast — and particularly around harbors—Japan is extremely vulnerable to tsunamis. tsunamis. In 1792, 1792, a tsunami tsunami killed about about 15,000 15,000 people people in Shimabara, Shimabara, a coastal coastal city in western Kyushu. Over the years, years, the Japanese have become the world leaders in studying, predicting, pre dicting, and protecting against this potentially potentially devastating environmental hazard. ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS

Japan is subject to many atmospheric Japan atmospheric hazards, hazards, includin includingg floods and blizzard blizzards. s. The most most devastating devastating atmospheri atmosphericc hazards, hazar ds, how however ever,, are typhoons. typhoons. (P (Pacifi acificc typhoons typhoons are a type of stor storm m similar similar to Atlantic Atlantic Ocean hurricanes hurricanes.) .) Typhoons are huge storm systems that can measure hundreds dr eds of of mil miles es (kilom (kilomete eters) rs) acro across, ss, with wind winds, s, clo clouds uds,, and rain rain stretching even even farther out from the “ey “eye, e,”” or storm center center.. The storms begin over over the warm tropical tropical waters of of the Pacific Pacific Ocean and drift in a westerly to northwesterly northwesterly direction. direction. Because the islands of Japan lie along a general general southwest southwest to northeast northeast axis, they fall fall directly directly acros acrosss the path path of man manyy such such storms. storms. In fact, fact, during an average year year about 30 typhoons t yphoons pass through this part of the Pa Pacifi cificc Basin, Basin, som somee of of whic which h strik strikee Japan Japan..

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Japan The often ferocious storms bring raging winds that exceed 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per p er hour) and can reach 150 miles per hour (250 (250 kilometers per per hour). Japanes Japanesee homes, built of woo wood d and other light light materials, materials, are no match match for winds winds of this spee speed. d. Wind damag damage, e, particu particularly larly alon alongg the coas coast, t, can be severe.. Water associated severe associated with the storms poses an even greater threat thre at than the wind. wind. Imme Immediat diately ely along along the the coast, coast, winds can create a huge wall of of water that that crashes ashore ashore destroyin destroyingg everything eve rything in its its path. path. Inla Inland, nd, torr torrenti ential al rain rainss associ associate ated d with the storms can cause severe flooding as water rushes down stee steep p mountain mountain slopes. Mo Moreo reover ver,, wate water-s r-satura aturated ted earth frequently gives gives way, way, creating mudflows mudflows or landslides that can bury everything in their path. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

As Japan’s population grew and its economy changed from fro m agricultur agriculturee to industry industry,, muc much h of the country’ country’ss natural natural enviro en vironme nment nt suffered suffered.. Beau Beautiful tiful natural natural landscape landscapess were destroyed as the land became overcrowded with people and settlements. Expanding industrial development development also damaged damaged the land. land. Duri During ng the 20th 20th century century,, the country country experie experience nced d numerous disasters caused by environmental pollution. In some places, places, indus industrial trial wastes wastes contaminat contaminated ed the soil, toxic to xic dust and smoke polluted the air, air, and sewage poisoned poisoned the streams. Even Ev en the sea became poisoned. poisoned. Beginning in the 1950s, hundreds of of people living near near Minamata Minamata Bay on the island island of  Kyushu became ill. They began to suffer a severe severe breakdown breakdown of the central central nervous nervous system system.. Ev Eventu entually ally,, som somee 3,000 people people contracted contracte d the “Minama “Minamata ta disease, disease,”” and hundreds hundreds of chil children dren were born with birth defects. In 1959, 1959, scientists discov discovered ered the cause.. For decad cause decades, es, a chemica chemicall compan companyy had been dump dumping ing mercury waste waste directly into into the bay. bay. Marine life life in the bay  consum con sumed ed the the merc mercury ury which which,, in turn, turn, was pas passed sed on to humans who caught and ate the fish.

The Natural Environment

By the 1960s, the Japanese Japanese people began to recognize the devastation caused by pollution pollution and other forms of of enviro environnmental damage. damage. They began taking taking steps to conserve conserve and prot pr otect ect thei theirr envir environ onme ment. nt. Tod oday ay,, Ja Japan pan has som somee of the world’s strictest regulations protecting the environment.

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The Jomon (today’s Ainu) were the first inhabitants of the Japanese islands. Today, most of the few remaining Ainu live on the island of Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four major islands of Japan.

3 Japan’s Early History

T

he hermit crab is a very practical creature. creature. It wanders the sea floor in search search of a suitable shell it can occupy occupy for protection. protection. Occasiona Occas ionally lly,, it leaves leaves the shell shell to search search for for food, food, but slips slips quickly back into its shelter when danger approaches. For much of its history histo ry,, Jap Japan an has been much much like like the hermit hermit crab. It has remained remained secluded seclu ded and and avoide avoided d contact contact with outsid outsiders. ers. Ho Howeve weverr, mode modern rn Japan has become a successful partner in the world community. Japan’s Japan ’s history can help shed light on these conflicting traditions. tra ditions. Most archaeologists (scientists who study early humans) believe that the islands of Japan were were first inhabited inhabited about 20,000 to 30,000  years  yea rs ag ago. o. Th Thes esee ea earl rlyy se sett ttle lers rs wer weree ca call lled ed th thee Jomo Jomon. n. His Histor toria ians ns believee that the Jomon were believ were the ancestors ancestors of the Ainu Ainu who still exist in small small numbers numbers on on the island of Hok Hokkaido kaido.. The Jomon Jomon were related to peoples in southeastern Asia and were a hunting,

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Japan fishing, and gatherin gatheringg culture. culture. They were were nomadic nomadic and and existed existed primarily along along the coastlines coastlines in Honshu Honshu and Kyushu, Kyushu, where they roamed following food sources. THE FIRST F IRST DYNASTY  DYNASTY 

It was during the Jomon era that Emperor Jimmu started the Yamato dynas dynasty ty.. Ac Accor cording ding to to legend, legend, Emper Emperor or Jimmu Jimmu was was a direct descendent of the Sun Goddess. Until World War War II, Japan Japan’’s emperors claimed roots extending back to Jimmu and the Sun Goddess. This divine right to rule existed existed for nearly 1,500 years. Today oday,, the emperor still plays an important impor tant social role in Japanese society, although he no longer has political power. power. Yayoi people replaced replaced the Jomon. The Around 300 B.C., the Yayoi Yayoi were from Southeast China and most likely left the mainland because they were fleeing the Chinese Han military. The name “Yayoi” “Yayoi” comes from the area in Tokyo Tokyo where archaeologists first discovered artifacts from this culture. The Yayoi Yayoi fled China through Korea and settled in Japan where they  mixed with the existing Jomon peoples. The Yayoi Yayoi were were not nomadic. noma dic. Rathe Ratherr, they introduc introduced ed and develope developed d agriculture agriculture in various areas that that were suitable suitable to farming. farming. With so so much mount mo untain ainous ous land land,, far farmla mland nd was was limi limited ted.. But at at the time, time, so was Japan Japan’’s population. population. Man Manyy small communities communities based based on farmin far mingg develo developed ped duri during ng this this era. era. Mo Most st impo importan rtantly tly,, ric ricee became a major crop during the Yayoi period. The Kofun Kofun era followed the Yayo Yayoi. i. It is also known as the Yamato period. It began around 300 A.D. and lasted lasted until 710 710 A.D. During the Kofun Kofun era, people built built massive massive earth earth and stone stone tombs. The people people came from China and and Korea, Korea, bringing with them an advanc advanced ed way of of life and and technology technology.. They develope developed d advanced social social and political institutions. institutions. They also introduced introduced Chinese and and Korean Korean cultural traditions to the islands. Some scattered Kofun settlements developed into small kingdoms. During this time, certai certain n clans clans (grou (groups ps of of fami families lies)) began began to gain power power.. The most powerful powerful of these clans was was the Yamato Yamato..

Japan’s Early History During the Kofun Kofun era, the Koreans Koreans introduced introduced the Chinese written language. Japan underwent other significant changes during this time. Yamato leaders developed developed new political institutions, tion s, crea created ted new new social social classes classes,, and introd introduced uced Buddhi Buddhism sm as the official religion. The area around Nara Nara and Osaka blossomed into a center center of politi political cal power power with the rising fortunes fortunes of  the Yama Yamato to clan. clan. Mo Most st of of Jap Japan an felt felt the the influ influence ence of Chin Chinaa and and Kore orea. a. The Ainu Ainu people, how howeve everr, rem remaine ained d separate. separate. Ev Eventua entually  lly  they moved northward to Hokkaido to distance themselves from the other cultures that were influencing Japan. THE NARA PERIOD

Chines nesee cult culture ure During the Nara era (710-794 A . D.), Chi continued to to influence Japan. Chinese became the language language of  business busi ness and gov governme ernment. nt. A new new reli religion gion,, Conf Confucian ucianism, ism, was introduced introd uced from from China. The Japanese Japanese built built a new imperial imperial capital in Heijokyo (present-day (present-day Nara). Nara). This was Japan’ Japan’s first permanentt capital, and the Japanes permanen Japanesee modeled modeled it after after the Chinese capital. Na Nara ra soon became a powerful city with nearly  nearly  200,0 20 0,000 00 peo people ple,, ma many ny of who whom m work worked ed in in gove governm rnment ent.. The new government produced coins and collected taxes from farmer far mers. s. In tim time, e, the imperial governm government ent tightened its its grip on the people. This led to warfa warfare re as as vario various us membe members rs of of the imperial family and other leading families fought for power and inf influe luenc nce. e. Oth Other er problems arose as farmers could not pay their the ir taxes and began be gan to lose lose their their lands lands.. This cause caused da shortage of tax money, money, which caused caused the gove government rnment to reduce itss mil it milit itar aryy str stren engt gth. h. Decreas Decreased ed military strength, in turn, led to the format f ormation ion of loc local al arm armies ies.. All of the these se fac facto tors rs led to a decline of Nara Nara’’s imperial rule. In an effort to regain control, control, Japan Japan’’s rulers moved the capital cap ital from from Nara Nara to Nagao Nagaoka ka in 793. 793. One year year later later, gov governernment leaders leaders moved moved the capital again, again, this time to Heiankyo Heiankyo,, a city whose name means “cap “capital ital of peace and tranquility tranquility..” Eventually Ev entually the name was shorted to Heian. Heian. Heian later became

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Japan the moder modern n city of Kyo yoto to.. He Heian ian,, lik likee Nara, Nara, was model modeled ed after after Chinese Chin ese capitals. capitals. This city served served as the impe imperial rial capital capital of  Japan for over 1,000 years until the Meiji restoration moved the seat of gove government rnment to Tokyo in 1868. The Heian Heian era saw saw great adva ad vanc ncem ement entss in literat literature ure,, art, and reli religio gion. n. The Fuji Fujiwara wara family controlled the imperial court and was highly influential duringg this durin this era. Thro Through ugh strategic strategic marriag marriages, es, they deve developed loped broad political control control that reached reached a pinnacle of power under under Regen Re gentt Fujiwa Fujiwara ra Michi Michinag nagaa around around 1016. 1016. Eve ventu ntuall allyy, the their ir reach extended extended too far. far. They were unable to manage the distant regio re gions, ns, whic which h often often felt felt neglec neglected ted.. Thu Thus, s, som somee famili families es were were allowed to possess large land estates in an effort to relieve the central government government of its obligations obligations to outlying regions. regions. At the same time, these upper-class upper-class landowners landowners gained political and economic power. Decline of the Heian Heian period period started when problems problems arose, arose, such as corruption corruption among among local official officials. s. With the central central government in decline, decline, local clans started to advance their own military efforts. These developments developments were were designed designed to bring about more more control control at the local local level. Unf Unfortunately ortunately,, once these armies formed, the local clans started fighting among among themselves themselves in what has been called the Gempei Gempei Wars Wars (1180– (1180 – 1185). The wars weree essentially wer essentially battles battles to establish supremacy supremacy.. Ev Eventu entually ally,, two families— families — the Taira Taira and the Minamoto Minamoto— — fought for dominance dominance.. A key naval battle occurred in the Shimonoseki Straits in 1185. In the the Battle Battle of of Dan Dannou noura, ra, the Mina Minamot moto o leade leaderr Yori Yorito tomo mo defeated the Taira. This was a turning point point in the Gempei Wars and marked the end of the Heian era. era. THE FIRST SHOGUNS

In about 1192, Yoritomo assumed leadership and became Japan’’s first shogun. A shogun is a hereditary Japan hereditary title given to military commander commanders. s. Fre Frequen quently tly,, the shoguns shoguns operated operated as the real power power behind behind the empero emperorr. This form form of gov governm ernment ent was known as a shogunate. shogunate. Yoritomo was the first first shogun in the

Japan’s Early History

Minamoto Yoritomo became the first shogun in 1192  A.D. afte afterr defe defeatin atingg  the Taira clan. Yoritomo Yoritomo was a ruthless leader who killed anyone who w ho  threatened his power — even members of his own family.

Kamakura era, so named because Yoritom Kamakura oritomo o established his political poli tical cent center er in the the city of Kam Kamakura akura.. The Kamak Kamakura ura era lasted laste d nearly 150 years, years, fro from m 1185 until 1333. In the beginning, beginning, Yorimoto quickly moved moved to eliminate his enemies. enemies. He eliminated individuals individuals who had been his allies during the war war.. He even kille killed d two two of his broth brothers, ers, both of whom had assiste assisted d him during the war. war. To make sure that his brothers’ brothers’ families would would not challenge him, he even had their infant infant sons killed! Thus,

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Japan the Kamakura Kamakura era started in a bloodbath, bloodbath, a tragic pattern that continue con tinued d through through much of of this era. Some positive things also occurred during the Kamakura period. Governm Government ent leaders developed a currency system that helped hel ped local local bus busine inesse ssess thrive thrive.. Thi Thiss was also also the the era era of the samurai, the hereditary hereditary warrior class who served as the military  in a feudalistic system established established by Yoritomo oritomo.. The samurai lived liv ed in the castle castle of of a daimy daimyo o (local (local leader leader), ), and were were paid when they were were called into battle. Unlik Unlikee mercenary mercenary soldiers paid to fight fight for anyone, anyone, the samurai lived lived by a strict code code of ho hono norr ca call lled ed bushido , which dem demanded anded that they they remai remain n eternally loyal to their daimyo. Trade increased increased during this time and, and, unlik unlikee European European feudal feu dalism ism,, farm farmers ers coul could d own their their own own land. land. In the late late 13th 13 th century century,, the Japanese repelled invasion invasion attempts by by Kublai Kublai Khan, the great great Mongol Mongol ruler ruler of Chin China. a. Altho Although ugh Khan’ Khan’s forces forces had superior weapons, weapons, the fierce fierce samurai warriors and and severe severe weatherr conditions weathe conditions helped the Japanese Japanese prevail. prevail. The good fortune for tune of of bad weather weather happe happened ned in in 1274 and again again 1281. 1281. Typhoons forced the Mongols to retreat from their sea attack. Because Becau se these typhoons typhoons saved saved Japan Japan from from invasio invasion, n, the Japanese called them kamikaze (divi (divine ne winds). winds). Mu Much ch later later, during World World War War II, Japanese suicide pilots were called kamikaze fighters, because they were were asked to repel repel the invasio invasion n of Japan. After the wars with Kublai Kublai Khan, the central governm government ent was left left with few resour resources. ces. Thus, it was unable unable to rewa reward rd the samurai and local daimyo who had helped to defend Japan. This caused caused unrest unrest and eventual eventually ly led to to the end end of the Kamakura period around 1333. STRUGGLES FOR POWER 

The demise demise of the brutal Kamakura shogun shogun leadership leadership left a vacuum that was briefly filled by Emperor Emperor Go-Daigo. Go-Daigo. He was older,, wiser older wiser,, and more more able to exert exert his his leadership leadership over over the the shogun than were were emperor emperorss during the Kamakura Kamakura era. He

Japan’s Early History defeated all of the remaining remaining Kamakura leaders exce except pt one, Shogun Ashikaga Ashikaga Takauji, Takauji, who had established a rival dynasty  with his own emperor emperor in a capital near Kyoto Kyoto.. Thus, there were were two tw o com compet peting ing imp imperi erial al co courts urts.. In tim time, e, ho howe weve verr, As Ashik hikaga aga becamee ruler becam ruler of all Japan Japan.. Ashikaga ushered in the Muromachi period in Japan’s history his tory,, so named because he set up his capital in Muromachi, Muromachi, an area near Kyoto Kyoto.. He passed passed the title of of shogun onto his son and thus the hereditary line line of the family was established established for the Muromachi Muromachi era. This era was marked by by less centralized centralized power than under the Kamakura and by the rising power of  the daimyo daimyo,, which means means “gr “great eat names. names.”” Mo Most st of the daimyo daimyo were military men who had accumulated power power,, samurai, land, and wea wealth. lth. The daimyo passed on their riches and influence to only  one male, male, rather than dividing it it between all their children. This was strategic, because it kept kept power consolidat consolidated ed in one family.. Family estates, wealth, and power family power were not broken broken up as had been done in the past. Women continued to have have very  little influence or power power and could not become daimyo daimyo.. The practice of not breaking breaking up estates estates caused caused great battles battles within famili fam ilies. es. Unde nderr this syste system, m, jea jealou lousy sy often often took took hold. hold. Fam Family  ily  members sometimes killed the chosen male heirs so that someone more favorable to them would become the next daimyo. Because Becau se of the decentrali decentralized zed rule during during the Muroma Muromachi chi period, perio d, the daim daimyos yos accum accumulate ulated d great great amounts amounts of land and power.. Mark power Market et economies developed developed in many areas controlled by the daim daimyos yos.. In these these early early market markets, s, busin business ess people people sold agricultural agricul tural pro products ducts,, cloth clothing, ing, sand sandals, als, and other basi basicc needs needs to people living living in an area controlled controlled by a daimyo daimyo.. Pe People ople usually bartered bartered or or traded for for goods, but during this this time coins also became became a commo common n way way of paying for market market goods. goo ds. Ma Many ny of of thes thesee busines businesss people people became became very very wealthy  wealthy  during this time. Their new wealth wealth gave them greater greater power power and political influence.

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Japan Deterioration of central authority Deterioration authority and the rising rising power power of the daimyo daimyo and local business people divided Japan Japan in the late 15th century century.. A series series of battle battles, s, kno known wn as the the Onin Onin War (1467–1477), (1467 –1477), took place place mostly mostly near Kyot Kyoto. o. Fighti Fighting ng continue continued d for more than 100 years as coalitions between different daimyos came together together and fell fell apart. No one one was strong strong enough to unite Japan during the early 1500s. ARRIVAL OF EUROPEANS

In the 1540s, the Portugu Portuguese ese arrived arrived in Japan. Japan. They brought brought two import important ant things things to Jap Japan: an: fir firearms earms and and Christiani Christianity ty.. The introduction of firearms increased the technology technology available available to warring factions in Japan and made killing easier. easier. Those daimyo daimyo who were able to secure these new weapons rapidly gained superiority over over rivals who only had traditional traditional weapons. After the arriv arrival al of of the Eu Euro ropean peans, s, mor moree years years of bloo bloody dy con conflict flict followed and thousands of people died in fighting. In the 1560s, a daimyo daimyo named Oda Nobunaga Nobunaga tried to unite and bring Japan under under his leadership. leadership. Before Nobunaga Nobunaga could accom acc ompli plish sh this goal, goal, ho howev wever er,, he was assassi assassinat nated. ed. Hi Hiss death death and those of other strong strong leaders leaders caused a continuing continuing power power struggle until Tokugawa Tokugawa Ieyasu Ieyasu seized control control in 1603. This started the era that historians historians call the Tokugawa, Tokugawa, or Edo, Edo, period. Edo is the the early name name for Tokyo Tokyo.. Tokuga okugawa wa Ieyasu moved the capital to Tokyo Tokyo in the early 1600s. To control the daimyo, daimy o, the Tokugawa Tokugawa shoguns required that all daimyo spend halff of the year hal year in in Toky Tokyo o and half half on thei theirr estate estate.. In Toky Tokyo, o, the central government could keep an eye on these local leaders. Spies were used to gather information and root out traitors. The government government also viewed viewed Christians as a threat. threat. The first Christian Christ ian missiona missionary ry,, Franc Francis is Xavier Xavier,, arriv arrived ed in Japan Japan in 1549. 1549. He and other missionaries convinced some soldiers and other Japanese people to conve convert rt to Christianity. Ieyasu felt threatened by both the fore foreign ign and Japane Japanese se Christians. Christians. Iey Ieyasu asu banned banned Christianity in 1614 and implemented implemented a number of strategies to

Japan’s Early History eliminate the religion from from Japan. He ordered ordered Christians to give up their faith or leave the country country.. Those who remained remained were persecute perse cuted, d, and many many were were killed. killed. In 1638, ov over er 35,000 35,000 Japanese Japanese Christians gathered in a fort to make a courageous last stand against again st their their oppre oppressors. ssors. Iey Ieyasu asu’’s army army, in a mer merciles cilesss battle, battle, killed kille d most of of the Christians Christians.. Only about about 100 100 survived. survived. With Wi th Christianity Christianity virtually virtually eliminat eliminated ed in Japan, Japan, the Tokugawa shoguns sho guns closed close d Japan’s Japan’s doors to European trade and other contact. There was only one exceptio exception n to complete isolation from from European European influences. influences. The Japanese permitted permitted the Dutch Dutch to conduct conduct some trade, trade, but only only with small ships ships that were limited to the port of Nagasaki. Other European European ships weree attacked wer attacked if they tried to enter enter Japane Japanese se harbors. China and Korea Ko rea were were permitted to conduct limited limited trading, but only in small ships. Japanese people were not allowed allowed to travel travel to other countries. coun tries. Jap Japanese anese rulers rulers banned banned books books and other forei foreign gn items that could spread European ideas. With Wi th the door firmly firmly closed to to most Europeans, Europeans, Japan became much like a hermit crab hidden in its protective shell. For centuries, centuries, the shell had been the waters surrounding surrounding Japan. Japan. The sea had provided a natural defense that helped to keep out most outside outsiders. rs. For nearly nearly 200 200 years years more, more, this shell shell would would be used to to protect protect Japan Japan from from the outsid outsidee world. world. Thus, for over over two centuries centuries under the Tokugawa Tokugawa shoguns, shoguns, Japan was an isolated country country.. Isolation played played a very very important role in determining Japan’s future.

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The Japanese navy destroyed much of the Russian fleet during the RussoJapanese War (1904–1906). This marked the first time a modern European power had been defeated in war by an Asian country.

4 The Birth of  Modern Japan

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apan’s policy of isolation during apan’ during the Tokuga Tokugawa wa era protected the country country against against outside outside threats. During the mid-1850s, mid-1850s, however,, it became apparent that Japan’s however Japan’s closed door also kept out technology technology and other other useful new new ideas. Japan was was falling far behind the Western industrialized world. In 1853, Ameri American can naval office officerr Commodor Commodoree Matthew C. Perry sailed into Tokyo harbor with battleships. His ships were stea st eamm-po powe were red, d, ma made de of of ir iron on,, an and d had po powe werf rful ul cann cannon ons. s. Th Thee Americans also had new and better better rifles. Japan still relied relied upon old technology that was now quite harmless against these new  advancess in military weaponry. advance weaponry. Pe Perry rry wanted Japan to open open its door do orss to fo fore reign ign trad trade. e. Bec Becaus ausee of of the Am Ameri erican can’’s supe superio riorr weaponry,, the Japanese were weaponry were forced forced to agree to Perry’ Perry’ss terms. They were intimidated and realized that they could not compete

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Japan against the powe against powerful rful Ameri American can battlesh battleships ips.. Thu Thus, s, the door door to Japan was pried open.  JAPAN  JAP AN OPENS ITS DOORS

Afterr year Afte yearss of se seclu clusi sion on and and isol isolati ation on,, the arri arriva vall of the Americans and Europeans threw Japan into political turmoil. tur moil. Manyy Japanese Man Japanese wanted wanted to resist resist the intrusion intrusion of outsid outsiders. ers. In 1867,, they resto 1867 restored red pow power er to the empero emperorr. The ruler ruler who who came to power was only 15 years years old. His name was Emperor Emperor Mutsuhit utsuhito o and his rule initiated the Meiji Meiji era. Mei Meiji ji means “enlightened rule,” rule,” something that Japan desperately needed at that that time. time. Aft After er centu centuries ries of divi divisio sion n and and fightin fighting, g, the era era of the shog shoguns uns had end ended. ed. A coura courageo geous us and and enlig enlighten htened ed  young emperor would deter determine mine Japan’ Japan’ss future. f uture. Early in 1868, the youthful Mutsuhito Mutsuhito called called nearly 400 leaders to the Imperial Imperial palace. palace. He pledged pledged to them that he would take Japan Japan in a new direction direction.. These pledges pledges are are known kno wn as the Charte Charterr Oath. Oath. In the the documen document, t, Mutsu utsuhito hito said that Japan would develop its it s economy and seek knowledge from from around the world. world. These and other other progressiv progressivee statements in the Charter Oath threw open the doors of  Japan Japa n to the outer world. world. This was was a startling startling reversal reversal of of the policies poli cies of of the closed closed-do -door or era. era. Ne New w leaders leaders emerg emerged ed with revolutiona revo lutionary ry new ideas as Japan Japan threw off the shackles of  of  isolation. isolatio n. Feuda Feudalism lism and class social structures structures were elimieliminated. Compuls Compulsory ory education education was introdu introduced, ced, requiri requiring ng all Japanese Japa nese youngsters youngsters to attend attend school. Telegraph lines and trains were were introduced. introduced. Japa Japan n built a new and modern navy  and renegotiated renegotiated its treaties with the United States. States. In 1889, Japan adopted a new constitution patterned after that of  German Germ anyy. In it, the empero emperorr granted granted more more freedom freedom to the the people. The Meiji Meiji Restoration Restoration brought brought enormous enormous changes to Japan. Some Japanes Japanesee opposed opposed these radical radical changes. changes. In 1877, 1877, a shogun led nearly 40,000 troops against the government in

The Birth of Modern Japan the Satsuma Rebellion. Rebellion. The shogun was fighting fighting to preserve preserve his power power.. The rebelli rebellion, on, how howeve everr, met with crushing crushing defeat defeat.. In the battl battle, e, Me Meiji iji sold soldier ierss kille killed d thous thousands ands of the rebe rebell samurai. samu rai. The traditio traditional nal power power of of the samurai samurai and and shoguns shoguns was broken forever. The Meiji Meiji era was was truly a time time of great change changes. s. Wi With th the new centr centralizati alization on of pow power er,, great oppo opportunity rtunity exist existed ed for rapid advan advancem cement. ent. Intr Introducti oduction on of new mili military tary techno technology  logy  and other knowledge from the West led to a rapid modernization of Japan Japan’’s military forces. forces. While the new constitution of 1889 pr provi ovided ded for a Diet, Diet, or legis legislatu lature re,, the low lower er house house was elected elected by only only a small portion portion of the populati population. on. This meant that the military and a few traditional leaders still held great power power.. This factor would would later cause problems problems for Japan. Duringg the mid-1800s, Durin mid-1800s, the Unite United d States and and other Western powers had pressured Japan into signing unfair treaties. To become become a world power power,, Japan had to to renegotiate renegotiate these treaties and make them more more fair. fair. Japane Japanese se leaders also understood that their country needed a strong economy and military in order order to become become a major world world power. power. This was Japan’’s goal at the beginning of the Meiji Japan Meiji Restoratio Restoration. n. By the 1890s, the country country reached its goal and had become a great world power.  JAPAN  JAP AN AS A WORLD POWER 

During the late 19th century During century,, most of the world’ world’ss powerful powerful nations were scrambling to gain colonies. colonies. Po Possessing ssessing colonies colonies enabled these nations to obtain natural resources from their foreign territories and then sell manufactured goods back to the colonists. colonists. Imperiali Imperialism sm (gaining (gaining contr control ol of of forei foreign gn lands) lands) was an import important ant eleme element nt of for foreign eign poli policy cy for for many  many  nations. Japan decided decided to participate in this this global economic economic and political political strategy strategy.. Japan thought that that it could could gain control contr ol of many important important natural resources resources by extending its

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Japan power to China. Japan had very power very few resources resources and it needed needed metals, meta ls, fuel fuels, s, and other other resou resource rcess to support support its its econom economyy. Foreign territories under Japanese control also could provide markets for Japanese manufactured goods. By the turn of of the 20th 20th century century,, Jap Japan an had emer emerged ged as a military and manufacturing power power.. The Japanese gove government rnment supported corporations and strong ties developed between business and government. government. Japan developed developed successful successful transportation systems systems modeled modeled on on those of of Western nations. nations. The Japanese people embraced foreign ideas and adapted their culture to help the country country move forward. forward. Japan had moved moved from isolation to welcoming many important ideas from the West. As a result, it developed developed quickly in both political and economic terms. Japan established its place on the international stage through war war. In 1894, Japan went to war with China and won somee territory som territory.. Then Then,, in 1904, 1904, Jap Japan an declar declared ed war on Russi Russia. a. Japan had established itself itself as a major world world power power that had to be respected. respected. Its war against Russia Russia marked marked the first time that an Asian country had defeated a modern European power.. Strong military leadership power leadership and and modern modern military  military  technology technol ogy helped the Japanese Japanese win. Wi With th these impressive impressive victories under under their belt, Japane Japanese se leaders moved moved to secure secure additional natural resources and colonies. In 1910, Jap Japan an annexed annexed Kore Korea. a. The Japanese Japanese military military was far stronge strongerr than that of Kore orea. a. In fact, fact, Jap Japan an was able able to seiz seizee Korea simply by threatening threatening to use force. Japanese occupation of Korea lasted until 1945 and created created a strong resentment of  of  Japan by the Koreans Koreans that still lingers today. today. About this same time, tim e, Ja Japan pan inc incre reased ased its con contro troll of of the isl island and of Taiw aiwan. an. These strategic moves into Korea and Taiwan increased Japan’s Japan ’s appetite for a still-larger empire. empire. This ambition for more territory eventually led Japan into conflict. In the early 20th century, century, relations between between Japan and the United United States worse worsened. ned. In 1905, 1905, Pre Presiden sidentt Theodore Theodore

The Birth of Modern Japan Roosevelt hosted a peace treaty meeting in Portsmouth, New  Roosevelt Hampshire that ended the war between Japan and Russia. The Japanese complained that their country had not received all that it should have have because because of press pressure ure from from the United United State Sta tes. s. In the Unit nited ed Sta State tes, s, an antiti-Ja Japa panes nesee sen sentim timen ents ts increased increas ed as the fear of Japan Japanese ese aggression aggression heightened mistrust. Und Under er Roosevelt, Roosevelt, the United United States also strengthened its presence in the Pacific with a naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Haw aii. All of these activities activities increa increased sed the tensio tensions ns between between the United States and Japan. World War I (1914–1918) benefited Japan in some ways. Western nations were too busy with the war to conduct trade. t rade. This gave Japan the opportunity to form trade links with other Asian Asian countries. countries. Jap Japan an’’s economy economy flourished during during this time. time. Ho Howeve weverr, major probl problems ems struck Japa Japan n when when the war ended. ended. Econo Economic mic deflation deflation damaged damaged the the economy economy as as prices pric es dropp dropped. ed. Mo Moreo reover ver,, sho shortage rtagess of rice rice,, Ja Japan pan’’s primary  primary  food, fo od, cau cause sed d wides widespr prea ead d riotin rioting. g. By the the early early 1920 1920s, s, Jap apan an was at a crossroads. MILITARY RULE

In 1926 1926,, Hir Hirohit ohito o became became emper emperor or of Ja Japan pan.. His Histori torians ans call this era the Showa Period, meaning “enli “enlightened ghtened peace.” peace.” During Hirohito’ Hirohito’s early years, the military became increasingly  frustrated with democratic rule by civilians. civilians. They believed believed that the military budget was not being increased fast enough. They also thought thought that the military military would be more more effective than civilians in running the government. government. Civilians, the military reasoned, reasoned, were too too preoccupied preoccupied with domestic domestic issues, such as the econom economyy. Some military military officers officers wanted to return return more powe powerr to the empero emperorr. Other officers, officers, however howev er,, believed that they would would be more effectiv effectivee as rulers rule rs if the emper emperor or held held only only a symboli symbolicc role. role. In 1930, 1930, the civilian government signed a peace agreement with t he United Un ited States and Europea European n nations. This agreement agreement was

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Japan short-lived, howev short-lived, however er,, because Japane Japanese se military military officers officers did not really want peace. In 1931, 1931, the Japane Japanese se milita military ry seized seized contr control ol of  of  Manchu Man churia, ria, a regio region n in nort northeast heastern ern Chin China. a. By 1932, Ja Japan pan had established a puppet government government in in Manchuria, renaming the region region Manchuku Manchukuo. o. The internatio international nal communi community ty,, includi inc luding ng the the League League of of Natio ations, ns, was furiou furious. s. Wh When en Japan Japan’’s civilian leader leader,, Premi Premier er Inukai Inukai Tsuyoshi, Tsuyoshi, criticized the military  actions actio ns in Manchur Manchuria, ia, he was assassinat assassinated. ed. This tragic tragic event event marked mark ed the start of unque unquestion stioned ed military military authority in Japan. Japan. All domestic domestic dissent was silenced. silenced. The military was clearly  in control. Japan continued continued to expand its power throughout throughout Asia. Asia. In 1937, Japan invaded invaded China and was involv involved ed in the horrible plun pl unde derr of sev severa erall Chine Chinese se citie cities. s. In the the city city of Nank ankin ing, g, fo forr example,, Japane example Japanese se soldiers soldiers murd murdered ered hundr hundreds eds of of thousands of inno innocent cent civilians civilians.. Jap Japanese anese troops troops raped and tortured tortured many  women wo men and and childre children. n. This brutal brutal treatme treatment nt of con conque quered red people continued in other areas into which the Japanese military moved. moved. As the Japanese military continued continued to expand its control, control, it saw one major major obstacle to dominatio domination n of the Asia-P Asia-Pacific acific region region— — the United United States. On December December 7, 1941, Japan cond conducted ucted a sneak sneak attack on the U.S. U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor Harbor on Hawaii’ Hawaii’ss island of  Oahu. The Japanese Japanese military hoped hoped this preem preemptive ptive strike would destroy destroy the the U.S. U.S. Pacif Pacific ic forces forces and enable Japan Japan to movee forward, unimped mov unimpeded, ed, towar toward d building its Asian Asian empire. empire. Following Pearl Harbor, Harbor, Japan was able to conquer many new  lands throughout throughout the South South Pacific. Pacific. Like falling dominoes, dominoes, the Phi Philip lippi pine nes, s, In Indo done nesia sia,, Ma Mala laya ya,, Bu Burma rma,, In Indo do-C -Chi hina, na, and Singapore Singapo re all fell to Japanese control. control. It appeared that Japan Japan would wo uld soo soon n con contro troll all all of of the So South uth Paci acifi fic. c. The rap rapid id Japanese expansion seemed to pose a potential threat even to India and Australia! To count counter er the the devastati devastating ng effect effect of of Pearl Harbo Harborr, the

The Birth of Modern Japan

On December 7, 1941, U.S. battleships were hit from the air during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Hawaii’s island of Oahu. Japan’s bombing of these U.S. military bases brought the United States into  World War II.

United States worked United worked quickly to rebuild rebuild its Pacific forces. forces. In June Ju ne 1942, the United United States States won a key naval naval fight in the Battle of Midwa Midwayy. This prove proved d to be a turning turning point point of of World War II in the Pacif Pacific. ic. Aft After er the Battle Battle of of Mid Midway way,, the Unit United ed States and other allies slowly and systematically chased Japan back to their home islands. The Allies considered the costs of an in invas vasio ion n of of Ja Japan pan.. Mi Milit litary ary expe experts rts est estim imate ated d that that

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Japan hundreds of thousands of American and other other Allied soldiers would die. American Presi President dent Harry S. Truman decided decided to use a powerful powerful new weapon— the atomic atomic bomb— bomb — to convince convince Japan to surrender surrender.. On Augus Augustt 6, 1945, the Unit United ed States States dropp dropped ed the first first atomic bomb on on the city of Hiro Hiroshima, shima, killing nearly 100,000 100,000 peop pe ople le.. St Stil ill, l, Jap apan an sh show owed ed no si sign gn of su surr rren ende deri ring ng.. On August 9, the United United States dropped dropped an atomic atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Nag asaki, killing nearly 75,000 75,000 more more people. people. Japan Japan’’s military  government gov ernment still would would not surrender surrender.. With millions millions of  of  people already already dead and millions of others suffering suffering horribly, horribly, Empero Emp erorr Hirohit Hirohito o stepped stepped in. He surrend surrendere ered, d, thus ending ending Japan’s Japan ’s tragic World World War War II saga. saga . The quest for an empire had failed horribly horribly. Japan was devastated devastated and the United United States States was now steppin steppingg in to to occupy occupy and rule the nation. nation. The country’ss humiliation country’ humiliation was great. great. This humiliatio humiliation, n, howev however er,, was nothing compared with the starvation and suffering of  the ordinary Japanese people.  JAPAN  JAP AN AFTER WORLD WAR II

The end of World War War II left Japan Japan a badly damaged damaged country cou ntry.. Its indus industries tries lay in ruin. ruin. Its relati relationsh onships ips with with virtually all all its neighbors neighbors were in tatters tatters because because of the bruta br utali lity ty of it itss inva invadi ding ng armi armies es.. In addi additio tion, n, th thee coun country  try  was occupied by American forces under General Douglas MacArthur.. The Americans MacArthur Americans drafted drafted a new constitu constitution tion for for Japan, which the Japanese Japanese adopte adopted d in 1947. The new new consticonstitution renounc renounced ed war forever forever as a means of of settling disputes disputes with other countries. countries. It kept kept the emperor emperor,, but stripped him him of  most powers. powers. The new gove government rnment was was shaped much much like like that of of the Unit United ed State States. s. It had had a legislatu legislature, re, calle called d the Diet, Diet, that was comp composed osed of of two chambe chambers. rs. It also gave gave new new rights to women. women. During the first first elections, elections, about 35 wome women n were were elected to office office.. Occupatio Occupation n by the United United States States and the Allies lasted until 1952.

The Birth of Modern Japan

Japanese soldiers turned over their swords to U.S. troops after World  War II ended with Japan’s unconditional surrender.

The Korean Korean War War began in 1950. This nearby conflict gave a great boost to the new industries being being built in Japan. In 1951, in San Francisco, Francisco, Japan agreed agreed to and signed the peace treaty  with all of the allies. allies. This treaty treaty formally formally ended World World War War II. With this this agreemen agreement, t, Ja Japan pan regai regained ned its its indepen independe dence nce.. The country also entered into a mutual defense agreement with the United States.

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Japan On its own again again by the early early 1950s, Jap Japan an began an era of rem remarka arkable ble econom economic ic growth. growth. Still faced faced with having having few  natural resour resources, ces, the country country began to trade trade with various various countries that that supplied the needed resour resources. ces. Industrial productio pro duction n grew at unprecede unprecedented nted rates. rates. Pric Prices es of Jap Japanese anese products produ cts were were low low because of the meager meager wages paid to to workers. work ers. This meant meant that the goods sold sold well in the interinternationall markets. During the two decades following nationa following the war, the phrase “Mad “Madee in Japan Japan”” took on on the meaning meaning of “c “cheap heap prod pr oduct uctss of poo poorr qu qual ality ity..” By the lat latee 19 1960 60s, s, ho howe weve verr, the meanin mea ningg began to change change.. The quality quality of Ja Japan panese ese produ products cts improved impr oved,, marke markets ts expanded, expanded, and prosperity prosperity returned returned to the the country cou ntry and its citizen citizens. s. Name amess like Toy Toyota, ota, Ni Nissa ssan, n, Ho Honda nda,, Kawa Ka wasa saki ki,, So Son ny, Pan anas ason onic, ic, an and d count countle less ss other otherss began began to symbolizee high quality symboliz quality.. Japa Japanese nese products continue continue to enjoy  a reputation for high quality and reasonable prices in today’s global marketplace. Its post-war success led Japan to great gains in the internationall community nationa community.. Japa Japan n is now a respected respected member member of the United Un ited Nations. Nations. The country’s country’s economic economic success success has been copied copie d by other other countries countries around around the world. world. A very close close relat re latio ions nship hip betwe between en busin busines ess, s, ban banki king, ng, an and d govern governme ment nt benefited benefit ed Japan Japan greatly until 1989, 1989, when a stock market market fall threatened threat ened the econom economyy. Today oday,, the closeness closeness of the business, business, banking, and government government sectors seems to work against against the coun untr tryy’s econ econom omyy. Ho Howev wever er,, the quality of life enjoyed enjoyed by  Japan’ss peop Japan’ people le remains remains high. high. Japan’s rise and fall after the Meiji Restoration shows clearly the paths that this small country has used in its attemptt to become attemp become a world world power power.. The early early path of military  aggression aggres sion left the country defeated defeated and humiliat humiliated. ed. The peaceful peac eful path foll follow owed ed durin duringg the the secon second d half half of the 20th 20th century,, howev century however er,, has made Japan Japan a modern industrial nation with one one of the world’ world’ss highest highest standa standards rds of of livi living. ng. Pr Proble oblems ms are still evident in the economy economy, but any visitor to Japan will

The Birth of Modern Japan be impressed with the progress that has been made and the societ soc ietyy that that exi exists sts.. No longe longerr a hermi hermit, t, Ja Japan pan is now now a dynamic country woven into the global fabric with thousands of pol politi itical, cal, eco econom nomic, ic, and social social threa threads ds conne connectin ctingg it to the world.

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The love of order and beauty are characteristics of Japanese culture that are expressed through creations such as the traditional Japanese garden.

5 People and Culture

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apan’s people and culture are yet another reason the country is often ofte n referred referred to as the “Mira “Miracle cle of of the Orient. Orient.”” Jap Japan an has successfully blended its traditional East Asian culture with a modern mode rn Weste Western rn urban-indus urban-industrial trial way way of life life.. This mixture mixture of the old and the new defines modern Japan. POPULATION

Japan has Japan has an an estima estimated ted popu populatio lation n of 127 milli million. on. At firs first, t, that figure fig ure ma mayy not not seem seem very very large large.. In term termss of nu numbe mbers rs alon alone, e, nin ninee countries have have more people. But such facts and figures fail to tell tell the whole story. In total total area, Japa Japan n is slightly smaller than Californ California, ia, which, with about 34 million million people, people, is the most populated populated state state in the United States. But Japan’ Japan’s population is nearly four times greater

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Japan than that that of Califo California! rnia! In In fact, Japa Japan n’s population population is nearly  nearly  half that of the entire entire Unit United ed States. States. Lik Likee Californ California, ia, how howeve everr, much muc h of Ja Japan pan is spar sparsel selyy settled settled.. Beca Because use so much much of of Ja Japan pan is mountainous, mountainous, the population population is concentrated concentrated in just a few  cities and towns. towns. This means means the places that people people actually  live in in Japan Japan are densely densely populated populated,, with thousands thousands of people per square square mile mile (square (square kilome kilometer). ter). In fact, few places places in in the world are as crowded as Japanese cities. POPULATION POPULATIO N CHARACTERISTIC CHARACTERISTICS S

Demographic data show that Japan’s population is unique in many many respects. In a land land with few resourc resources, es, little agricultural land,, and man land manyy en enviro vironmen nmental tal haza hazards rds,, seve several ral aspe aspects cts of the count co untry’ ry’ss dem demogra ograph phyy are are,, ind indeed eed,, mir miracl acles— es— not onl onlyy for for Asia, Asi a, but for for the world. world. Japan long ago came to grips with its population “explosion. “explosion.”” Today oday,, with an annual growth rate estimated est imated to be 0.15 percent, the country is approaching approaching zero population growth. growth. In fact, the Japanese government government believes that the rate of population increase increa se is too low. low. Curre Current nt projections projections suggest that by the  year 2050, the country’s population actually will decline by an estimated 21 percent. percent. This is why why,, despite the country’s country’s having such a high population density, density, the government government is encouraging families to have more children. With so few births, births, another problem problem Japan faces faces is an aging population. The average average Japane Japanese se person can expect to to live live aboutt 81 years. abou years. No other other country country can match this longevity longevity.. As is true in the United United States, most Japanese Japanese retire retire in their 60s. This means means that a growing number of of people are are living well beyond the age of employment. With fewer fewer young young people in the work force, force, providing for for the elderly has become an increasing increasing challenge for society. The Japanes Japanesee people people enjoy enjoy a high standard standard of of living. Income Inc ome,, of co cours urse, e, is one imp importa ortant nt fact factor or.. Amo Among ng maj major or world nations, Japan Japan’s ’s per capita income and gross national

People and Culture product ranks near the product the top. top. Inco Income me alone, alone, howev however er,, does not alway alw ayss mean mean a high high standa standard rd of of livi living. ng. In some some count countries ries,, only the wealth wealthyy few benefit. benefit. In Japan, Japan, wealth is is fairly evenl evenly  y  distributed distribut ed among among the populatio population. n. This has has an important important influenc infl uencee on on the the popula populatio tion. n. If peop people le are are able to aff affor ord d health heal th care, care, for examp example, le, the resul results ts will be reflec reflected ted in life life expectancy.. Japa expectancy Japan n’s high standar standard d of living influe influences nces other demogra dem ographi phicc data, too too.. At 3.7 3.7 deaths deaths per 1,00 1,0000 births, births, Ja Japan pan has one one of the world’ world’ss lowest lowest infant infant mortali mortality ty rates. rates. (Inf (Infant ant mortality morta lity rate ratess in in the the Unit nited ed Stat States, es, by com compari parison son,, are about 6.7 deaths deaths per 1,000 1,000 births.) Japan Japan also also has one of the world’’s highest world highest literacy literacy rates rates— — about 99 perce percent nt of of people overr the age of 15 can read and ove and write. OVERPOPULATED?

Overpopulation Overpopu lation is a difficult difficult concept concept to define. define. Some people examine population numbers and population density  when defining defining the concept. concept. Others look at such factors as per capita income, income, gros grosss domestic domestic product, product, life expectancy expectancy,, literacy,, and other signs to judge whether a country suffers literacy from fro m overpo overpopula pulation tion.. Nu Number mberss of peop people le seem seem to to be of  of  mino mi norr impo importa rtanc nce. e. Af Afte terr all, all, so some me of the wo world rld’’s mo most st populated places also have the world’ world’ss highest standards of  living. On the other other hand, hand, some coun countries tries have have a very very low  population density density,, yet their people people live live short and miserable lives. Japan,, despite its large Japan large population and high population population dens de nsit ityy, al also so en enjo joys ys a hig high h sta stand ndar ard d of of li livi ving ng.. In fa fact ct,, th thee Japanese people are the country’s most important resource. Human Hum an resources, resources, rather than a large area and an abundance abundance of natu natural ral resou resource rces, s, hav havee made made it possibl possiblee for Japa Japan n to prosper pro sper.. Ther Theree are many many definitio definitions ns of “ov overpo erpopula pulation tion..” Considering Consi dering the good good health health of the Japanes Japanesee people people and and economy econo my,, it is doubtful that any any definition definition of ove overpopulati rpopulation on applies to Japan.

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Japan SETTLEMENT

Flying into or out of Tokyo okyo’’s Narita International Airport on a clear night is an amazing experience. The TokyoTokyo-Y Yokohama metropolitan area is among the world’s most densely populated places. Here, nearly 30 million million people are squeezed squeezed into an area of only about about 1,700 square square miles miles (4,400 square square kilome kilometers)— ters)— an area just slightly larger larger than Los Angeles County County,, but with more than twice as many people! Flying south southward ward,, havin havingg left the huge huge urban comple complex, x, the land below and to the west is mountainous. Only a few few small dots do ts of of li light ght app appea earr. To the the east east,, alo along ng the the coa coasta stall plai plain, n, the string of light from from cities and towns towns is nearly unbroke unbroken. n. Soon airplane airplane passengers can see see a huge island of of light from thee comb th combine ined d cities cities of Osak Osakaa and Kobe Kobe.. He Here re,, ano anothe therr 14 to 15 million people people are are packed packed into into an area area of of only 880 square square miles (2,280 square kilometers). The short flight between these two huge cities serves as a wonderful introduction to two primary characteristics of  Japan Jap an’’s settlemen settlementt patterns. patterns. First First,, it is a country country of large citie cities, s, 10 of whi which ch have have popu populat lation ionss of mo more re than than 1 mill millio ion. n. In fact, fact, 78 percen percentt of all Japane Japanese se live live in cities cities or large towns towns.. This figure is all the more more remarkab remarkable, le, how howeve everr, when one one realizes realizes that about about 80 percen percentt of the country country is moun mountain tainous. ous. In the rugged rugge d highland areas, areas, ther theree are few towns or people. people. At night, night, much of of Jap Japan an appears appears to be dark dark from from the air. air. But the islands islands of ligh lightt cre create ated d by Tok okyo yo-Y -Yok okoha ohama, ma, Osa Osakaka-K Kobe obe,, Nago agoya, ya, Kyoto yoto,, and other huge Japanese Japanese cities clearly demonstrate demonstrate the country’ coun try’ss pattern of urban settlement settlement.. A HOMOGENEOUS PEOPLE

Japan has one of the world’s world’s most homogeneous homogeneous populapopulations. Over 98 percent percent of the country’s country’s inhabitants are ethnic ethnic Japanese. This means that most Japanese share similar physical physical featu fe ature res, s, suc such h as black black hair hair.. The Theyy also also share share a way way of lif life, e, includi inc luding ng cultural cultural roots, tradi tradition tions, s, and practices. practices.

People and Culture

Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in  the world world..

In Japan, gaijin  (outsiders) truly do stand stand out. The country  country  does have have a few “minority” “minority” people. Ko Koreans reans make make up the largest group grou p of for foreign eign peop people, le, with about about 500, 500,000 000 livin livingg in Jap Japan. an. Theree also Ther also are are small small numbers numbers of Chine Chinese, se, Brazi Brazilian lians, s, Filip Filipinos inos,, and Americans living in the country. country. In the United United States, States, dive di versi rsity ty is taken taken for for granted granted,, pa partic rticula ularly rly in citie cities. s. Fo Food, od, for example, exam ple, is a wonder wonderful ful indicat indicator or of div diverse erse tastes tastes.. In any any large American Ame rican city city one can can select select from from Italian, Italian, Chin Chinese, ese, Me Mexican xican,, Greek, Gre ek, Germa German, n, Thai Thai,, and perhaps perhaps seve several ral dozen dozen other other types of  of  cuisi cui sine ne— — in inclu cludi ding ng Jap Japane anese se.. Thr Throug oughou houtt Japan Japan,, ho howe weve verr, food fo od,, dr dres ess, s, ap appe pear aran ance ce,, cu cust stom oms, s, la lang ngua uage ge,, rel elig igio ion, n, an and d al alll other aspects of culture are are quite similar similar..  JAPANESE  JAP ANESE CULTURE CULTURE

Cultures are complex. They include include every every aspect of of peoples peoples’’ wayy of wa of lif life. e. Thi Thiss incl include udess how how peo people ple thi think nk,, act, and re relat latee to to one anothe anotherr. It also also includes includes how how they they live, live, wher where, e, and in what

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Japan kinds of settlem kinds settlements ents and dwellin dwellings. gs. And how they comm commuunicat ni cate, e, wo worsh rship ip,, mak makee a li livin ving, g, and go gove vern rn the thems msel elve ves. s. The remaind rem ainder er of this chapte chapterr focuses focuses on what are are two two of the most most important impo rtant aspects of of any cultur culturee — langua language ge and religio religion. n. LANGUAGE

Japanese is the Japanese the offici official al languag languagee of of the coun country try.. Spok Spoken en Japanese Jap anese is differ different ent than other other Asian Asian language languages, s, such as Chinese Chine se or Kore orean. an. Its rules rules of grammar and pron pronunciati unciation on are quite simple, simple, making spoken spoken Japanese Japanese a relatively relatively easy  language to to learn. learn. Man Manyy scholars scholars who study study languag languages, es, how how-ever ev er,, bel believ ievee that the the written written form form of Ja Japan panese ese may may be the world’ss most complex world’ complex and and difficult to learn. Three types of  characters are used in Japanese writing: kanji , hiragana , and katakana . Kan anji ji re reac ache hed d Jap Japan an fr from Ch Chin ina, a, by wa wayy of of th thee Kor orean ean Peni eninsu nsula, la, in anci ancient ent tim times. es. Eac Each h kanji kanji cha charact racter er (theree are at least 48,000) (ther 48,000) is an ideogram ideogram,, or a picture picture that represents represen ts a thing or an idea. Some characters require require as many  as 23 separate strokes to write. Japanese was a spoken language long before it was written.. The kanji written kanji alphabet alphabet was unable to expr express ess many many of the sounds of Japanese words. words. In order order to over overcome come this problem, problem, the Japa Japanes nesee develo developed ped two two other other sets of cha charact racters ers.. Thes Thesee writing systems, systems, hiragan hiraganaa and katakana, wer weree developed developed from from the original kanji  charact characters. ers. Each is similar similar to to letters letters in the English Englis h alphabet, because each each character character represent representss a single phonetic sound. sound. Hiragana and Katakana are are much easier to write than kanji, because characters are are written with no no more more than four strokes. st rokes. Traditional Japanese Japanese handwriting is very very artistic. But it can be extremely confusing to people who are not native speakers. In mode modern rn writte written n Japan Japanese ese,, fo forr exampl example, e, kan kanji, ji, hir hiragan agana, a, and katakana are combined. combined. Kanji characters are are used for the main bodyy of a writte bod written n work. work. Hi Hirag ragana ana char charact acter erss are used used in in writing verb verb endin endings, gs, adv adverb erbs, s, and short short link linking ing wor words. ds. Mo Most st

People and Culture foreign terms are written in the more flexible katakana style. In addit addition ion to the the three three sets sets of of char characte acters rs used, used, Ja Japane panese se writing differs greatly from other forms in yet another way. Tradit raditiona ionally lly,, at least, least, Jap Japanes anesee is written vertica vertically lly and read read from right to left and top top to bottom bottom of the page. Today oday,, most Japanese Japanese are able to speak and write at least some English. Students learn the English language language in secondary  secondary  schoo sc hool. l. In Incr creas easin ingly gly,, it is the the langu languag agee of glo global bal bus busine iness ss,, tourism, touri sm, medi media, a, ente entertainm rtainment, ent, and compu computer ter applica applications tions.. RELIGION

Freedom of religion is guaranteed Freedom guaranteed by the Japanese Japanese consticonstitution. Religious beliefs and practices in Japan Japan revolve revolve around two faith faithss — Shint Shintoism oism and Buddhi Buddhism. sm. Shint Shinto, o, mean meaning ing “the way of the gods, gods,”” is an ancient ancient faith faith that that is native native to Jap Japan. an. It is a philosophy that is concerned primarily with the living (present) (prese nt) world. world. Shinto also inv involve olvess ancestor ancestor wors worship. hip. Buddhism originated in India and reached Japan in the 6th century A.D. fro from m Kore Korea. a. It is a faith the focuse focusess on enlighten enlighten-ment and and meditati meditation. on. Shint Shinto o gates gates (called (called torii ) and other shriness and Buddhis shrine Buddhistt statues statues are commo common n features features of the Japanese landscape. Major Ma jor life life events, events, such as weddin weddings, gs, are normall normallyy held in Shinto shrines. Buddhist priests usually perform the funerals. To many Americans, Americans, religious practices in Japan may may appear to be be strang strange. e. Fo Forr examp example, le, whe when n survey surveyed ed abou aboutt their their religious reli gious belief beliefs, s, most Jap Japanes anesee are are vague. vague. Rare Rarely ly do do they  boldly and proudly claim affiliation with any particular faith. Another striking striking trait of the Japanese Japanese people people is that a substan st anti tial al num numbe berr of of th them em,, an es esti tima mate ted d 85 85 perc percen ent, t, fo foll llow  ow  practices practi ces of both Shintois Shintoism m and Buddhism Buddhism.. In order order to understand sta nd how how such such a dual dual belie belieff sys system tem can can exis exist, t, one mus mustt recognize the different roles that the respective religions fulfill. fulf ill. “Shi “Shinto ntoism, ism,”” one Japa Japanes nesee person person explained explained,, “is for now [the living world], and Buddhism is for later [after death].” death].”

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Japan

The temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is one of the many extraordinary sites in Japan. Originally built in the late 14th century,  the tem temple ple is cove covered red by 100,0 00,000 00 shee sheets ts of gol goldd pape paper. r.

Because of the different different functions functions each religion religion performs performs,, more mo re than hal halff of all Japan Japanese ese hom homes es hav havee both both a sma small ll Buddhist altar and Shinto shrine. Another difference between most Japanese people and Christians or Jews is that most Japanese do not believe in just one god. god. Rather Rather,, their worl worldview dview incl includes udes man many  y  kami, Shinto gods or spirits spirits with varying varying degree degreess of pow power er.. Final Finally ly,, Jap Japanese anese society is much more secular than the United United States. That is,

People and Culture religion does does not play play as important a role role in the life of most people as it does for many Americans. The Japanese worldview is much different than that of  Christians. Christi ans. In the Christian Christian view view, reli religion gion often often defin defines es one’ one’s identi ide ntity ty.. Ja Japan panese ese,, on the the other other hand, hand, te tend nd to be much much mor moree open-minded open-minde d and practical in their worldview worldview.. They do not hesitate to turn to science for answers, yet many many will also turn to one one or or more more alternative alternative sources of aid. When a Japanese Japanese person becomes becomes ill, for exampl example, e, he or she almost almost certainly certainly will will seek the aid aid of a trained trained phys physician ician.. Me Meanwh anwhile, ile, the perso person n also may turn to a person trained in herbal folk medicine or visit a Shinto shrine. The physician attempts attempts to cure the patient using using modern medicine. medicine. The herbalist believes believes the body is is out of  balance, a situation that can be cured cured with the appropriate appropriate use of  certain certai n herbs. Vis Visiting iting a shrine, shrine, man manyy Japanese Japanese people people believ believe, e, purifies purif ies the mind, mind, which is is necessary necessary if the body body is to heal. heal.

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Japan has a democratic form of government where citizens elect government leaders to represent them. In 2001, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (center) celebrated his political party’s landslide victory in elections.

6 Government

J

apan adopted adopted its current current constitution constitution in 1947. The Japanese Japanese constitution established the country as a constitutional monarchy monar chy.. This means that Japan is a democracy democracy where the people rule indirectly through their representatives in the Diet, the Japanese Japanese Parliament. Parliament. The constitution constitution gives gives all citizens citizens 20  years  yea rs of age and old older er the ri righ ghtt to vote vote.. Under th thee con const stitu itutio tion, n, the emperor emperor has almost no no power power.. Instead, he serves as a symbol of the coun country try.. The emp emper eror or,, ho howev wever er,, do does es appo appoint int key key publi publicc officials offic ials like like the prime minist minister er and chief chief justice justice.. This is only only a formality forma lity,, howev however er,, and not a political political requ requirem irement. ent. This situation is much much like like the role of of the royal royal family family in the United United Kingdo Kin gdom. m. An importan importantt national national holida holidayy in Japan Japan is the the emperor’s birthday.

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Japan BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

Japan has Japan has three three branc branches hes of of go gove vernm rnment ent:: the legi legislat slativ ivee branch, branc h, the exe executiv cutivee branch, branch, and the judici judicial al branch. branch. Jap Japan an’’s legislativ legisl ativee branch branch of of gov governm ernment ent is called called the Diet. Diet. The Diet Diet has the power power to make make laws in Japan. Japan. This body has has two chambe cha mbers: rs: the Ho House use of of Re Repr prese esenta ntativ tives es and and the Ho House use of  Counc Co uncill illor ors. s. Eac Each h of the these se house housess is indep independ endent ent of of the othe otherr and the members members of each are elected elected directly by by the citizens. citizens. The Ho House use of Cou Council ncillor lors, s, or Sangi-in , has 252 me membe mbers rs.. Of  these, 100 are elected by the nation nation as a whole and 152 are elected by vote voters rs in in smaller smaller dist districts ricts.. The memb members ers of the House House of  Councillors must be at least 30 years old. They serve 6-year terms. terms. The Ho House use of Re Repr prese esenta ntativ tives, es, or Shugi-in , is la larg rger er th than an the House House of Coun Councillo cillors. rs. Ther Theree are 480 members members in the House of Rep Representati resentatives ves and and they serve serve 4-year 4-year terms terms unless the governm gov ernment ent is dissolv dissolved ed earlier earlier. If disso dissolv lved, ed, ther theree must be new  elections electi ons for for the Hou House se of Rep Represe resentati ntatives ves within 40 days. days. In elections, electi ons, 300 of the members members are are elected elected from from single-mem single-member ber districts and the other 180 are elected from 11 regions around the country who gain their seats based on a proportional basis of th thee vo vote tess ca cast. st. Mem embe bers rs of the Ho Hous usee of Rep epre rese sent ntati ative vess must be at least 25 years old. Bills become laws after they are passed by both houses of  the Diet. Diet. The House House of Rep Represe resentati ntatives ves cont controls rols the nation national al budget and approves approves treaties. treaties. Most other matters can be raised in either either of of the two two houses. houses. The executiv executivee branch of the governmen governmentt is headed by by the prime minister. minister. The prime minister is responsible for administering the the laws laws of Japan and for for managing managing fore foreign ign affairs, affairs, makin makingg treaties, and preparin preparingg the budget that the Diet reviews. reviews. One of the major major resp responsi onsibilit bilities ies of of the Diet Diet is is to elect the prime prime ministerr. The prime ministe prime minister minister must be a member member of the Diet. In fact, the leader leader of the majority majority party party in the Diet Diet is usually the person who serves serves as prime minister. minister. Prime minister ministerss have no limits placed on the length of time they can serve serve in office office.. One

Government

Emperor Akihito (left) is the head of the Japanese government. His power, however, is largely ceremonial.

served for almost almost 12 years. years. Ho Howeve weverr, the prime prime minister minister can be removed with a no-confidence vote in the Diet. This can greatly  shorten a prime minister’s minister’s term. One only held office for 54 days! Since World War War II, most of the prime ministers ministers have come come from fro m the Liberal Democratic Democratic Party Party (LDP). This party has held power since since 1955 with the exception exception of of a 3-year stretch stretch in the mid-1990s. During this time the LDP was remove removed d from office office because of a major corruption corruption scandal that tainted tainted the governgovernment and the party. The prime minister selects members of the Cabinet to to help govern gov ern the coun country try.. Unde nderr the consti constitutio tution, n, a majority majority of  Cabinet Cabi net mem members bers must be mem members bers of the Diet Diet.. Cabi Cabinet net members mem bers also must be civilians. civilians. This is to preve prevent nt the military  military  from gaining too much power as it did before World War II. The judicial branch branch of gove government rnment is responsible responsible for for interpretingg the laws of the country pretin country.. The Supreme Supreme Court Court is the highest court in Japan. Japan. This court court is headed headed by a chief justic justicee and several several lesser justices. Today oday,, there are 15 members serving on the court. The chief chief justi justice ce of the Supre Supreme me Court Court is recomm recommend ended ed by  the Cabinet and appointed by the emperor. emperor. The emperor’s emperor’s

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Japan appointment is only a formality; the emperor does appointment does not have real real political power power.. All other Supreme Supreme Court judges are appointed appointed directly by the Cabinet. The Supr Supreme eme Court Court is the the court court of last resort. resort. This means means that its decisions are final and there are no other appeals that can be made. made. Therefo Therefore, re, it is empower empowered ed to rule on the consticonstitution tut ionali ality ty of an anyy laws, laws, or orde ders, rs, or action actions. s. Other types of courts fall fall below below the Supre Supreme me Court. Court. Thes Thesee include the high courts that are directly under the Supreme Court. Un Under der the high courts are are the family courts courts and district courts. The lowest lowest court level level is the summary court. Cases from from any of the lower courts courts can be appealed to a higher higher court by the side that is dissatisfied with the lower court’s decision. Japan’s constitution provides the groundwork for local government in the country country.. Japan is divided divided into into 47 districts, called prefectures. prefectur es. Beneath these are over over 3,000 3,000 local governments governments at the town, town, villag village, e, and city city level. level. Lik Likee most most local gov governm ernments ents in the world, Japan Japan’’s local governments governments deal with important issues that lie close to to home, home, such as garbage collection collection,, healthcar healthcare, e, and schools. FOREIGN AFF AF FAIRS

Japan’s constitution provides an element that is not found in other such documents. The constitution states that “the Japanese Japanese people forever forever renounce war as a right of the sovereign sovereign nation.” nation.” Because of the horror of World War War II and the damage caused caused by  nuclear bombs bombs at Hiroshima Hiroshima and and Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan renounc renounced ed war forever forever.. The constitution further provides that Japan shall maintain no land, land, sea, or air forc forces. es. This sectio section n of the consti constitutio tution n is often often challenged when Japan Japan faces threats threats by other forces. forces. For examexample, the Japanese Japanese became upset when North North Korea Korea test fired fired a missile that traveled traveled directly directly over over the islands islands of of Japan. China and Japan also have a tenuous history that could promote Japan remilitarizing. remilitariz ing. Prese Presently ntly Japan depends depends on the United United States to

Government

defend its security as pledged in the United States-Japan States-Japan Security  Tre reaty aty of of 195 1951. 1. Eve ven n with with this this agreem agreement ent,, man manyy Japa Japane nese se are are uncertain whether the United States would actually step in and defend Japan. Whether Japan changes changes its constitution constitution and removes remov es the Renunciation Renunciation of War section will be an issue that will be followed followed with interest interest by the rest rest of the world. Japan Jap an was was isolat isolated ed during during much of its histo history ry.. This is no no longer the case. Today Japan Japan is widely engaged in activities around the planet. It is a major major economic economic power power and political political power with influence influence regionally and globally. globally. Japan is is now a major trading power with most other nations in the world. Its major trading trading partner partnerss are the Unite United d States, States, Chin China, a, Eur Europea opean n Unio nion, n, Austr ustrali alia, a, Sou South th Kor Korea, ea, and natio nations ns in Southe Southeast ast Asia Asia.. Politi olitically cally,, Jap Japan an is a member of of man manyy internatio international nal organiza organiza-tions and has signed many significant international agreements. Simply put, Japan is a major player player in the world today. today. Japan Jap an has been an active member member of the United United Nation Nationss since 1956. It has served on the important Security Council and has contributed to various United Nations collective security  actions, action s, such as mine sweepi sweeping ng in the Persi Persian an Gulf and sending sending peacekeeping peacekeepi ng forces forces to Cambodia. Its role in promoting promoting peace and international security has increased in recent years. An example of Japan Japan’’s new leadership is found found in its hosting of the Kyot Kyoto o Prot Protoco ocoll in Dece December mber of 1997. Nation ationss from from around the world came together to meet in the Japanese city of  Kyot yoto o to discuss discuss the the problem problem of global warmin warming. g. They signed signed an agreement agreement called the Kyoto Prot Protocol, ocol, which establishes a formula for how much gaseous pollution developed countries can emit into the atmosphere. Since World World War War II, Japan has again become a leader among countries. Its economy economy and foreign policy link link it to other countries around around the world. world. The country country was on a political political and economic roller coaster ride during the 20th century with many  frightening ups ups and downs. downs. No Now w it is a democratic society that has regained regained the the respect respect of the world. world.

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 At the port city of Chiba in January 2003, about 3,000 Honda cars ca rs wait to be shipped to North America. Japan’s strong economy is built on exports.

7 The Economy

W

hen people people call call Japan Japan the “Mir “Miracle acle of of the Orient, Orient,”” they  are usually referring referring to the country’s country’s economy economy.. In this chapter,, you will learn how the Japanese had to overcome chapter overcome manyy obstacles in order to become man become one of the world’s world’s foremost foremost economic powers. You also will learn why the country’s countr y’s economy has been in a decade-long slump and why many Japanese are concerned about their country’s economic future.  JAPAN  JAP AN AND THE GLOBAL ECONOM ECONOMY  Y 

To better understand Japan’s position among the world’s economic giants, think for a moment moment about your own family family possessions. possessions. Perhap erhapss you own a vehicle, vehicle, televi television sion,, came camera, ra, or other item item made by  a Japanese company company.. A typical ty pical American family has many thousands of dolla dollars rs worth worth of item itemss manufact manufactured ured by Japan Japanese ese corpora corporation tions. s.

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Japan Now, try to identify those “big ticket” items that were Now, were manufactured tur ed in Eur Europ ope. e. If yo you u can only only find find a few few items items,, or perha perhaps ps none,, you are not alone none alone.. You also also have have just just learned learned a very  very  important lesson lesson in changing changing patterns patterns of global economic economic and regional geography! Nearly Ne arly a quart quarter er of a century century ago, ago, the center center of wor world ld trade trade shifted from the North Atlantic Ocean (North America and Europe) Eur ope) to the the Pacifi Pacificc Rim. Rim. Toda odayy, about three three-fou -fourths rths of of all world trade is conducted conducted among Pacific Rim countries. The primary pri mary “eng engine ines” s” of thi thiss multi-tri multi-trilli llion on dollar dollar trade, trade, of co cours urse, e, are the Unite United d States States and Japan Japan.. In fact, fact, acc accord ording ing to to 2002 2002 World Bank data, data, the combined combined economies economies of the United United States and Japan amounted amounted to a staggering $14.42 $14.42 trillion. To put this figur figuree in persp perspectiv ective, e, it is roug roughly hly equal equal to that that of of the next 35 countries, those ranking number 3 through number 37, com combi bine ned! d! HOW WELL OFF ARE THE JAPANESE?

There are many ways to measure a country’s economic health. One way is to look look at its gross domestic domestic product (GDP). The GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced produced in a country per year. year. Japan ranks ranks second among among the world’s world’s nationss in its GDP. nation GDP. This tells only only part of the country’s country’s economic economic story,, howev story however er.. For example, example, when Japan Japan’’s GDP is divided divided by its 127 million million people, people, the country drops drops to 14th place among world wor ld nations nations in terms terms of of per capita capita (per (per person) person) GDP. GDP. This means that people in at least 13 other countries produce more wealth per person. In terms of of purchasing power power,, the Japanese Japanese rank 13th 13th in the world, wor ld, and are not as well well off off as Ame Americans ricans.. Becaus Becausee prices prices of  most items are much higher in Japan than in the United States, it costs more more to live there. there. To help rank countries by buying buying power pow er,, eco economi nomists sts have have developed developed the concep conceptt of purc purchasi hasing ng power parity parity (PPP). A country’s country’s PPP indicates how how much buying power power its its people people have. have. In 2002, 2002, the Unite United d States States ranked ranked

The Economy number 3 in the number the world, world, with a per per capita capita PPP of of $34, $34,870 870.. Jap Japan an ranked rank ed 13th 13th in the world, world, with a per capit capitaa PPP of $27 $27,43 ,430. 0. In other words, the average average American American can buy nearly nearly $35,000 worth wo rth of good goodss in a year year,, whil whilee the aver average age Japa Japanes nesee can purchase just over over $27,000 worth worth of goods in a year. year. By any measure, measure, howev however er,, most Japanese Japanese are quite comfortcomfortable economically economically.. Few countries enjoy enjoy a better distribution of  income. Most Japanes Japanesee belong to the economic economic middle class class and few citizens suffer suffer from grinding poverty. poverty. The Japanese Japanese also save save a greater greater percentage percentage of their income income than do almost almost any other other people. In fact, several years years ago it was estimated estimated that the typical Japanese family family had $40,000 in in savings, whereas the average American family was $40,000 in debt! Until the economic downturn that began in the early  1990s, few Japanese Japanese were unemploy unemployed. ed. Today oday,, for the first time in man manyy year years, s, unem unemplo ploymen ymentt is is risin rising. g. In earl earlyy 2003 2003,, an esti es timated mated 5.5 5.5 percent percent of of the Japanese Japanese work force was without  jobs. This number repres represents ents an all-time high figure and is a source sour ce of great pain, pain, embarra embarrassmen ssment, t, and concern concern to the country country.. This figure figure is is quite quite low, low, how howeve everr, when compa compared red to that that of  manyy other countries man countries.. To the Japanes Japanese, e, a loss of a job can result result in a los losss of of pri pride de.. A num numbe berr of of un unem empl ploy oyed ed peo peopl plee are are ashamed asha med to face face their their family family and friends. friends. Mo Moreo reover ver,, suici suicides des havee risen at an alarming hav alarming rate— to one of the world’ world’ss highest. Faced Fac ed with possibl possiblee loss of emp employm loyment, ent, the Japan Japanese ese have have develope dev eloped d perhaps perhaps the world world’’s best best work work ethic. ethic. In fact, fact, they  have a word with no equivalent in the English language: karoshi . This is a Japanese Japanese term term for “dea “death th from overwo overwork, rk,”” a condition in which Japan may be the world leader. OVERCOMING OBST OBSTACLES ACLES

Few countries countries have have faced a greater number number of obstacles to economic growth than has Japan. Certainly very few nations have have been more successful than Japan in overcoming such hurdles. In this respect, respect, Jap Japan an truly is the “Miracl “Miraclee of the Orient. Orient.”

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Japan

Much of Japanese rice farming is still done by hand. Japanese farms, although small, produce some of the world’s highest crop yields.

Japan is confronted by several major physical obstacles to economicc growth economi growth and developme development. nt. These obstacles obstacles include include small area, fragmenta fragmentation tion and elongati elongation, on, devastati devastating ng environmental ronm ental hazards hazards,, remot remotee and insular insular location location,, and limited limited natural resources. Most Mo st of Ja Japan pan is comp compose osed d of rugg rugged, ed, mou mountai ntainou nouss land. land. In fact, only about 30,000 30,000 square square miles (77,700 (77,700 square kilokilometers) is relatively flat land suited to farming and urban developme devel opment. nt. This is an area area roughly roughly the size size of South Caroli Carolina, na, a state which is home home to fewer than 4 million million people. Japa Japan, n, with a populati population on of som somee 127 million million,, pack packss roughly roughly 35 times more people into a comparable area. Small size, howev however er,, has not prov proved ed to to be a significant significant handicap. handic ap. Few of the world’ world’ss people people use land more effecti effectively  vely  than do the the Japa Japanes nese. e. Much of the coun country try is bui built lt at at what what appears to be a “micro scale.” scale.” The Japanese are extremely efficient efficie nt in the use use of land, whethe whetherr in farmi farming, ng, urban deve developm lopment, ent,

The Economy

Tuna meat is inspected at the Tsukji Fish Market in Tokyo. Throughout most of the 20th century, Japan was the world leader in fishing, including  the size of its fishing fleet and the amount of its catch.

transportation, transportati on, or othe otherr aspec aspects ts of livi living ng and pro produci ducing. ng. Agriculture Agricu lture is extremel extremelyy producti productive, ve, much of it relying relying on intensivee hand labor. Japanese farms produce the world’s intensiv world’s highest  yieldss of man  yield manyy crops. crops. The Japanese diet depends heavily upon marine resources. Throughout Thro ughout most of of the 20th 20th century century,, Japa Japan n was the the world world leaderr in fishing. leade fishing. The country country also is a major major importer importer of  seafood. seafo od. Jap Japan an does does not need need to raise a large large perce percentage ntage of its own food. The country’s country’s strong economy economy enables it to import import food and other commodities from countries throughout the world. worl d. The Unite nited d States, States, in fact, is Japa Japan n’s leading leading sour source ce of  imported foodstuffs. As you you know, know, Jap Japan an is composed composed of of four major major islands islands and moree than 3,000 smaller mor smaller islands islands and islets. islets. Ad Additio ditionally nally,, these

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Japan islands are scattered over a huge area measuring roughly 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) along a relatively narrow northeasterly  to southwesterly southwesterly axis. Geographers realize realize that fragmentation and elonga elongation tion ofte often n lead to intern internal al isolatio isolation. n. This, in turn, turn, often ofte n contribute contributess to a number of of for forces ces that tend tend to tear a coun co untry try apart apart,, su such ch as regi region onal al conf confli licts cts.. To the sou south th,, the island islan d country country of Indo Indonesia nesia offer offerss an example example of this situation situation.. The country has nearly 600 different different languages, a weak governgovernment,, and suffers ment suffers from from a long history history of inte internal rnal conflict conflicts. s. In spite spite of its scattered scattered phy physical sical geograph geographyy, Japa Japan n is one of the world’ world’ss most cohesi cohesive ve countries. countries. The Japanese Japanese share share a strong strong com common mon her heritag itagee and sen sense se of nati nation onali alism. sm. Fe Few  w  countries in the world can match Japan’s strong social, cultural, cultura l, and racial racial cohes cohesion ion,, or sense sense of nati nationa onall unity. unity. Thi Thiss means that nearly all Japanese people are willing to work  and sacrifice for for their country and for the well-being of their fellow countrymen. Japan has overcome fragmentation by developing one of  the worl world’ d’ss best best transpo transportation rtation netw networks. orks. Railr Railroad, oad, air air,, water water,, and automobile facilities provide quick and easy access to nearly nea rly the ent entir iree coun country try.. Peo eople ple,, mat materi erials, als, ide ideas, as, foo foodstu dstuffs ffs,, and other items can be quickly and efficiently moved from place to place. Japan Jap an faces several several enviro environme nmental ntal dangers, dangers, incl includin udingg earthqu eart hquak akes, es, vo volca lcanoe noes, s, and lands landslid lides. es. Yet, the Japa Japanes nesee have have been able to minimize minimize the impact impact of nature’ nature’ss wrath in a number of ways ways.. They lead the the world world in emergenc emergencyy training training and warning warning systems.When systems. When disaster disaster strikes, the Japanese know know how how to respond. respond. Nearly all Japanese construction is designed to withstand most earthquakes. earthquak es. Japan Japanese ese engineers engineers are world leaders in deve developin lopingg means of of protecting the country’s country’s coastal regions regions from from storm storm and tsunami tsunami damage. damage. Finall Finallyy, smart planning planning and and zoning zoning limit limit the deve developm lopment ent of of site sitess that are hazar hazard d prone. prone. Because of these measures, measu res, when disaste disasterr does does strike, strike, damag damagee often often is minim minimal. al. When the 1995 earthquake hit Kobe Kobe and nearby cities, Japan Japan’’s

The Economy strong economy and government assistance enabled people to recovery quickly. Great distance to global ideas and markets has posed few  problems probl ems for the Japanese. Japanese. Japan has over overcome come its its remote remote location loca tion in a num number ber of way ways. s. In terms terms of the flow flow of ide ideas as and and info in form rmat atio ion, n, du duri ring ng the the las lastt half half of th thee 20th 20th cen centu tury ry,, Jap apan an became a world leader in communications technology technology.. To overc ov ercome ome great great distances distances by sea, sea, the country country became the world’ss leading shipbuilder and ship owner world’ owner.. To reduce transportation portatio n costs, Japa Japanese nese industry industry has specialize specialized d in high value/lo valu e/low w bulk bulk manufact manufacture ured d goods. goods. Cam Cameras, eras, watc watches, hes, smal smalll tools, and other high high value manufactured manufactured goods goods weigh very  very  little litt le,, he henc nce, e, co cost st litt little le to to ship ship — re rega gard rdle less ss of th thee dista distanc nce. e. Because it is is an island nation, nation, all but the smallest smallest and most most valuable goods are transported by by ship. This is the least expensive expensive meanss of transp mean transportat ortation ion.. The per uni unitt cost cost of ship shippin pingg a new  car from from Japan Japan to to the wester western n coast coast of the Unit United ed States, States, for example,, is less than trucking the vehicle from example from Los Angeles Angeles to a dealership dealership in Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizo Arizona. na. Japan has almost no natural resources upon which to base indu industria striall develo developme pment. nt. In the West, West, the Indus Industria triall Revoluti Rev olution on was fueled by huge huge deposits deposits of inex inexpensi pensive ve and readily read ily available available coal. coal. Abu Abundant ndant and inexpens inexpensive ive energy energy is often ofte n the key to a country’s country’s economic economic growth. growth. Met Metals als and other mine minerals rals also also can be extrem extremely ely importa important. nt. Yet, Japa Japan n must import fully 97 percent percent of the natural resources resources and raw  raw  materials used in its industry. The only resource resource the country  has in abundance abundance is hydroele hydroelectric ctric potential, potential, which for all practical purposes is 100 percent developed. Geographer Geogr aphers, s, eco economi nomists, sts, and othe otherr social scien scientists tists hav havee long recog recognize nized d that well-edu well-educated cated,, hard hard-wo -working rking peop people le— — rather than abundant natural resources—are the key to economic developme development. nt. The Japanese Japanese are are highly disciplined, ambitious, and work work extremely extremely well well as teams. teams. They have have perhaps the world’s world’s strongest work work ethic. One survey found that more more

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Japan than 90 percent percent of all Japanese Japanese adults preferred preferred work work to leisure, leisure, and the government had to pass a law requiring Japanese workers to take their annual vacation! They also are very well educated and highly skilled. skilled. Their sales force may may be the world’ world’ss best trained and most successf successful. ul. Japan’s huge success in competing in the global marketplacee can be attrib plac attributed uted to a simple “P “P-Q-R -Q-R-S-T” -S-T” form formula: ula: “P” stands for productivity productivity and pride. Japane Japanese se workers workers strive for a high level of of producti productivity vity and take great pride pride in what they  produc pr oduce. e. “Q “Q”” mea means ns qual quality ity.. Ja Japane panese se pro products ducts are wo world rld famouss for their famou their quality quality of design and and manufactur manufacture. e. “R” “R”indica indicates tes robotization.. The Japanese robotization Japanese are world world leaders in in using robots, robots, ratherr than rathe than humans humans,, to do do many many indu industrial strial task tasks. s. This fre frees es people to do more important things that better use their knowledg kno wledge, e, ener energy gy,, and skill skills. s. “S” refe refers rs to to sales sales and and savings, savings, two categories in which the Japanese Japanese are world leaders. leaders. To the American Ame rican salespe salesperson rson,, “tim “timee is money money..” The Japan Japanese ese use use a completelyy different approach. completel approach. They seek to gain the confidence, friendshi frien dship, p, and loyalty loyalty of a potential potential buyer buyer before before attemp attempting ting to make make a sale. Rel Relativ ativee to people people in most other other countries, countries, the Japane Ja panese se sav savee large large amou amounts nts of of their inco income. me. This pro provides vides capital that can be recirculated into the nation’s economy  (as bank loans, loans, for exampl example). e). Fina Finally lly,, “T” stand standss for technolo technology gy,, an area in which the Japanese have become world leaders on par with the Uni United ted States. States. In fact, Japan and the Uni United ted States often vie for the top position position in the number of new patents patents issued annually. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL OBSTACLES

On the road to becoming a leading economic power, Japan also had several cultural and historical obstacles to surmoun surm ount. t. They incl include ude a long long period period of cultu cultural ral isola isolation tion,, a late start start in the Industrial Industrial Revolution Revolution,, and the devastating devastating effects of World War War II. For 300 years years prior to the mid-19th century, century, Japan deliberately 

The Economy isolated itself isolated itself fro from m the rest rest of the world. world. The door door to Ja Japan pan was was cracked open slightly slightly by Commodore Commodore Perry Perry in 1853. By 1868, the Meiji Restoration threw the door open wide and what came to be known known as Japan Japan’s ’s “eco “economic nomic miracle” miracle” began. During the Meiji period, period, several important important developments developments set the stage for Japan’’s future in the world. Japan Japan Japan’s ’s rulers place great emphasis on educa education tion.. Lite Literacy racy amo among ng Japa Japanese nese peop people le soar soared. ed. It was a period of relative political stability stability and the government government enthusiastically supported economic development. Western technology was readily adopted and quickly adapted to Japan’s culturee and cultur and soci society ety.. Fina Finally lly,, as a unifi unified ed peop people, le, the Jap Japanes anesee worked worke d together for for the good of their country. country. By the 1860s, 1860s, Japan was was lagging a century or more more behind the already industrialized West. It had a long way to go if it was to catch up. During the Meiji Meiji Restoration, Restoration, the Japanese Japanese eagerly  eagerly  adopted a number number of Western ideas and techniques techniques associated associated with the Industrial Revolution. Revolution. So successful successful was this transfortransformation that that by 1935, manufacturing surpassed agriculture as the most important contributor to Japan’ Japan’s economy. economy. Industrial growth also allowed Japan to aggressively challenge the world’s greatest military powers powers.. Japan became involv involved ed in World War War II for two primary  reas re ason ons. s. Fi Firs rst, t, it sou sough ghtt to gai gain n cont contro roll of vi vita tall natu natura rall resources and additional territory on the Asian mainland. Second, it attempted attempted to create create a “buffer” in the Pacific Pacific Basin as protecti pro tection on from from the Unite United d States. States. The ultimate ultimate resul resultt of this venture was near total devastation. Once again, the Japanese Japanese successfully over overcame came what seemed to be an almost insurmountable obstacle. After the war, war, the United United States inves invested ted millions millions of of dollars in in rebuilding rebuilding Japan Ja pan.. Fr From om the the ashe ashess of wa warr rose rose hund hundre reds ds of of new fac facto torie riess using the most modern modern technology technology available. available. The Americans helped the Japanese draft a new constitution that contributed to a more democratic democratic government government and society. society. The document also limited Japan Japan’’s military expenditures expenditures to 1 percent percent of the

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Japan country’s annual gross national country’s national product. product. With virtually no no military expenses, the Japanese Japanese could pour huge amounts of  capital into industrial growth growth and development. development. Japanese scientists and inventors inventors also were able to emphasize commercial, commercial, rather than mil military itary,, inn innov ovatio ations. ns. Withi ithin n seve several ral decad decades, es, Ja Japan pan onc oncee again held a high place among the world’s economic powers. TROUBLED TIMES

Since the early Since early 1990s, Jap Japan an’’s econom economyy has weakened weakened.. By  some measures, it has even slipped from from second to to third place among the world’s world’s economic economic giants, behind the United United States and China. China. The country country has undergone undergone the worst econo economic mic slump since the Great Depression ravaged the global economy  in the 1930s. Its stock market has lost lost nearly 80 percent percent of  of  its value since 1990. 1990. Real estate values values have have plummeted plummeted and countless countle ss banks and businesses have have failed. failed. Its national debt debt is four four times greater than that of the United United States. The value of produ production ction and services services is dropping dropping and retail retail sales have have plunged as Japanese have tightened their spending habits. Guaranteed lifetime employment, employment, enjoyed by many many Japanese Japanese for decades, decades, is disappearing disappearing and unemplo unemployment yment has risen to record recor d levels. These surely are troubled troubled times for the country’s country’s economy and its people. What went wrong? wrong? During During the 1980s, 1980s, many observer observerss predicted that Japan would soon surpass the United States as the world’s world’s strongest economy economy. Several factors contributed contributed to Japan Jap an’’s weak weakenin eningg eco econom nomyy. First First,, as the worl world’ d’ss leadi leading ng exporter expo rter of manuf manufacture actured d goods, Japa Japan n is extr extremel emelyy vulnerable vulnerable to changes changes in the global global econom economyy. During the the past decade, decade, the United Uni ted States and most other industrial economie economiess have undergonee economic gon economic hard hard times. times. Whe When n this occurs, occurs, peop people le are less less apt to buy high-quality high-quality,, relative relatively ly expensive, expensive, Japanese goods. Many people point to the Japanese government as another significant problem. Political corruption is widespread in Japan, and many many people have have lost faith in their gove government. rnment.

The Economy Japanese leaders have failed to pass much needed political reforms (such (such as within the banking industry industry,, which is on the brink bri nk of of co colla llapse pse beca because use of tril trillio lions ns of of do dollar llarss in bad bad loan loans). s). According Acc ording to many social scientists, no end is in sight for Japan’s Japan’s economic woes. woes. The problems are are many and the solutions are both complex and painful. Is Japan finished as a leading economic power? power? The answer answer,, almost almo st certainly certainly,, is no. no. The country country has surmounte surmounted d many  obstacles to reach reach its current level of economic strength. Today oday,, the Japanese Japanese are still well-to-do by most standards, including those tho se of the Unit United ed States States.. Ac Acco cord rding ing to to surveys surveys,, nea nearly rly twotwothirds of the country’s country’s people remain remain satisfied with their lives. lives. And An d sati satisfi sfied, ed, wel well-e l-educ ducate ated, d, har hard-w d-work orking ing peo people ple,, we mus mustt remember remem ber,, remain Japan Japan’’s primary resour resource ce and hope for continued economic success.

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 A Japanese family prepares to eat dinner. They are kneeling on tatami  mats,  which are found in many Japanese homes.

8 Living in Japan Today

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ne of the Japane Japanese se peoples peoples’’ great greatest est strength strengthss is the abili ability  ty  to adop adoptt id ideas eas and and values values from from othe otherr cultur cultures, es, and then then adaptt them to adap to their their own lives lives.. This marvel marvelous ous ability ability is is evide evi dent nt in the their ir rel relig igio ion, n, wri writi ting ng syst system ems, s, ho hous usin ing, g, an and d even even food. Yet the Japane Japanese se also preserv preservee their own own values and and beliefs. beliefs. In this chapt chapter er,, we will look at lifestyl lifestyles es of of the peop people le of Japa Japan, n, kee keeping ping in mind that living in Japan today also means honoring the past. FOOD

With no place in Japan being more than about 100 miles from the sea, sea, a diet diet of sea seafoo food d nouris nourishes hes the the popula populatio tion. n. Warm kuroshio  currents meet with the cold oyashio  oyashio curre currents nts to provid providee some of of the world’ worl d’ss richest fishing fishing ground grounds. s. Eating beef beef and pork was was forbidden forbidden at the end of the 17th century century when Buddh Buddhist ist teachin teachings gs were were

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Japan enforced. enforce d. This belie belief, f, com combine bined d with a lack lack of grazi grazing ng land land for for farm anim animals, als, further esta establish blished ed the habit habitss of of a fishfish-eatin eatingg country coun try.. Hea Health lth benefit benefitss of a low-fa low-fatt diet compo composed sed of of fish and and rice, ric e, tw two o stap staples les of Ja Japan panese ese mea meals, ls, ha have ve nu nurtur rtured ed lon longg life life expectancies for the Japane Japanese se population. Fish is a main element in the Japanese diet and is eaten e aten in a var varie iety ty of of wa ways— ys— st stea eame med, d, fr frie ied, d, bo boil iled ed,, br broi oile led, d, an and d ra raw. Raw fish fish is considered considered a delicacy delicacy in Japan. Japan. Raw fish fish may be served as sushi , in thi thin n slic slices es on on top top of sm smal alll moun mounds ds of of ric ricee that have have been cooked cooked with vinegar, vinegar, rice wine, wine, and sugar sugar. Ma Many  ny  visitors who try raw fish for the first time are pleasantly  surprised by by its delicate delicate flavor flavor and aroma. aroma. Another food food resource from from the sea is nori, a type of of dark green sea seaweed weed that is pressed pressed into into flat sheets and and dried. Cut into into small rectangles, nori  is eaten eaten by wrapping wrapping it around around rice, rice, ofte often n with other seafood or vegetables. Rice, Ric e, the mai main n stap staple le of the Ja Japan panese ese die diet, t, is eat eaten en wit with h most mo st meal mealss rega regardl rdles esss of of the tim timee of of da dayy. In fac fact, t, if yo you u are are not at home to prepare prepare the rice, it is available in cooked cooked form from from vending machines! These ever-present machines are available throughout Japan and not only offer cooked rice for purchase, but also also book books, s, hot and and cold cold drink drinks, s, co compa mpact ct discs, discs, an and d even even mobile phones! Language of of a culture often provides provides clues to values and and concep con cepts ts withi within n that that cultu culture. re. Fo Forr exam example, ple, in Ja Japan pan the importancee of rice in the daily importanc daily diet is revealed revealed in the word word which ch means means both both “coo cooke ked d rice” rice” and “m “meal eal..” Thi Thiss gohan , whi word is extended to asagohan (breakfast), hirugohan  (lunch), and bangohan  (dinn (dinner). er). Thes Thesee words words indicate indicate the powerful powerful association of rice in all Japanese Japanese meals. When travelin travelingg in Japan, Japan, temptin temptingg displays displays of food entice entice hungry customers. customers. Real Realistic istic and and appealing appealing in appearance appearance,, plastic food models are often displayed in restaurant windows to tempt tempt potential customers. Another delightful delightful meal option option is the obento , a box box lun lunch ch co cons nsis isti ting ng of ri rice ce,, veg eget etab able les, s,

Living in Japan Today fish, and often often a dessert such as a red bean cake. cake. Obento  Obento are are sold at many many train station stations, s, dep departme artment nt stores, stores, and conv conveenience stores. In recent recent years, years, the Japanese Japanese have have been eating eating less rice rice and more poultry poultry and meat. Chick Chicken en and pork are relativel relatively  y  inex in expe pens nsiv ivee and and fair fairly ly ple plent ntif iful ul.. Be Beef ef,, ho howe weve verr, is qui quite te expensive expensi ve and and not not as plentiful. plentiful. Skillet dishes, such as sukiyaki  (a dish of sliced meat and vegetables vegetables cooked cooked in sweetened sweetened soy  sauce), are common commonly ly served served in Japan. Tempura  is another popular dish. This is a combination combination of various vegetables vegetables and fish deep-fried in a light batter. b atter. Udon , no noodl odles es mad madee of of whe wheat at flour,, are served in a broth flour broth with vegetables. To eat these foods, the Japanese use hashi  hashi (ch (chop opsti sticks cks). ). By  the age of of thre three, e, man manyy children children have have master mastered ed the use of  of  hashi  after using trainer hashi  hashi with with special handles for their fingers. Knives, Kni ves, spoon spoons, s, and forks forks are also used by all generatio generations ns when eating eat ing weste westernrn-styl stylee foods. foods. Ha Hambu mburge rgers, rs, piz pizza, za, Chi Chines nesee food, food, curry,, and spaghetti curry spaghetti are all availa available ble in Japan. Japan. In urban areas, areas, one is never far from from fast-food restaurants, including McDonald McDonald’’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Sincee World Sinc World War War II, the Japanese Japanese diet diet has changed to include fast food and other westernized westernized food options. As a result, resu lt, Jap Japanese anese peopl peoplee are are growing growing taller taller and and heavier heavier.. The average height for 14-year-old 14-year-old Japanese males has increased by  more than 7 inches inches since 1945. The average weight weight for Japanese males of this age has increased increased by by more more than 30 pounds. HOUSING

Houses in Japan are designed for maximum ventilation. Most interior rooms have one or two walls that consist of  sliding doors called  fusu  fusuma. ma. These doors can be opened or closed, along with sliding sliding doors doors on outside outside walls, to provide provide a fresh breeze or to prevent drafts. When entering entering a Japanese Japanese home, home, one first steps steps into the genkan . This small, woode wooden-floor n-floored ed area is where where you you remove remove

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Japan

Many houses in Japan are designed with doors that can be opened or closed to provide a fresh breeze or to prevent drafts. These sliding doors,  which in fact are sliding walls, are called  fusuma.

 your shoe shoes, s, plac placing ing them neat neatly ly side by side faci facing ng the door through thr ough which which you you just just entere entered. d. The genkan  is not just a physical phy sical space, space, it also serves serves an important important and symbolic symbolic cultural function. Whi While le you are physically physically inside inside the house, this transition area provides guests and family members a space to enter politely politely, with culturally appropriate behavior behavior,, into the home. home. Slippers are are then put on and and worn throughthroughout the house as you take one step up (again a physical and cultural function) function) to enter enter the main level level of the home. Japanese homes homes have have a separate room for bathing, away 

Living in Japan Today from the toi from toilet let room. room. In Japa Japan, n, you clean you yourr body  body  before  getting into the bathtub! A small plastic stool rests next to a drain in in the tiled tiled floor floor. Her Here, e, one sits sits to wash with soap soap and rinse rin se off off bef befor oree enter entering ing the full full batht bathtub ub of of hea heated ted wat water er.. Once clean clean,, you then enter enter the soaking soaking luxury of of a small, deep bathtub filled with heated water reaching up to your neck. Since each person enters enters the bathtub clean, the entire family  can use the same tub of of hot water water.. Winter Wi nter is generally generally mild mild in much of Japan Japan,, with the exception exception of the muc much h colde colderr winter winterss of Hok Hokkaid kaido o in the north north.. Mo Most st housess typically house typically hav havee no centr centralize alized d heatin heating. g. Rather Rather,, roo rooms ms used for daily living are located located in the center center of the house and heated heate d by by small small heater heaters. s. Ofte Often n in in winter winter,, mem members bers of a family  family  sit around a kotatsu , a low table with an electric electric heater heater beneath beneath it. A quilt quilt is placed placed over over the kotatsu  kotatsu so so that you can slip your legs and feet under the blanket blanket while sitting on pillows. What a comfortin com fortingg way to eat, watch televisio television, n, or share conv conversati ersation on with your family! Japanese Japane se houses are typically t ypically smaller than western-style houses. In Toky Tokyo, o, home homess tend to be even smaller due to to population densities and scarcity scarcity of land. Since Japanese homes are small, rooms serve multiple multiple functions such as living, living, eati ea ting ng,, stu study dyin ing, g, or sl slee eepi ping ng.. To uti utili lize ze sp spac acee wise wisely ly,, a  futon  (soft folding mattress) is often spread out on the floor at night for sleepin sleeping. g. Aft After er being being aired and and folded, folded, the the futon   futon is is stored in a closet during the day. day. Exce Except pt for the kitchen kitchen and perhaps a carpeted carpete d living living room room (a western western adaptation adaptation), ), the floors floors in Japanese homes are covered with joining straw mats called tatami. The mats are comfortable comfortable to sit sit on, sleep on (with a futon), futo n), and walk walk on withou withoutt slippers. slippers. Tatami  also provide a layer of insulation in the cooler winter months. Many homes are built built with mixed mixed styles of traditional tatami mat tatami  mat rooms rooms and western-style carpeted rooms. Sleeping on futons or sleeping in beds is another choice being made by  members of Japanese families today today..

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Japan The compact compact size of a Japanese Japanese home is well adapted adapted to the needs needs of of Japanes Japanesee society society.. Family member memberss live live together together closely and must must resolve resolve conflicts in behavior behavior.. Outside the home, Japane Japanese se like like to feel feel that they belong belong to a group. group. Importance is placed on harmony and cooperation in human relationships. relatio nships. Muc Much h practice at home makes this trait a more natural process in in one’s one’s way of interacting with others outside outside of th thee hom home. e. HOME AND FAMILY 

Until recently recently,, many Japanese lived lived in extended families of  three thr ee or more more gene generat ratio ions ns.. Gr Grand andpa pare rent nts, s, and some sometim times es great-grandparents, were important important and respected members members of  the household. Traditions and family heritage heritage was shared with member mem berss of the famil familyy. But rapid rapid eco econom nomic ic growth growth and thee process of democratization following th following World War II have have influenced the Japanese Japanese family. family. Family life is changing from from an extended multigenerational family to to that of a nuclear family  consisting of parents and children only only.. Japanese lifestyle has also been influenced by urbanization and advan advances ces in tech technol nology ogy.. Wide idespr spread ead use use of tim timesa esaving ving household appliance appliances, s, expansio expansion n of instant and frozen frozen food industrie ind ustries, s, and incre increased ased popu popularity larity and and ease ease of incl includi uding ng western-style meals are conveniences enjoyed by many  Japanese families. These conveniences conveniences have have freed more time for both leisure leisure and educationa educationall pursuits, pursuits, espec especially ially for women women who were often restricted by household tasks. Increasing employment opportunities for women have changed the Japanese Japanese family. family. Delaying marriage and delaying delaying or choosing not not to have children, children, are changing women women’’s traditional roles roles in the family. family. Wi With th a present birth rate of  .15 percent percent,, the populati population on of Jap Japan an will not be able to mainta maintain in stability stabil ity and growth, growth, an alarming alarming concern concern for the Japanes Japanesee government gove rnment and society as a whole. Fewer extended families, combined with increased life expectancies, means the number

Living in Japan Today of elderly people living living on their own has also also risen significantly significantly.. Additional Addition al issues of healthcare and housing housing for the elderly are concerns facing Japanese society today. A CHANGING SOCIETY 

Japan is experiencing a change in the work environment as well. Emplo Employees yees are yearning yearning for for more emotional emotional fulfillment from their their jobs, calling for reduced reduced working working hours and more opportunities opportunities for career changes changes and family time. Once a source source of pride and and admiration admiration for for Japan, Japan, the employmen employmentt market mark et is showing showing worriso worrisome me trends. trends. Risi Rising ng joblessn joblessness ess among young people (ages 15–24) has resulted from dramatic changes in their behaviors and attitudes toward employment. Soaring numbers numbers of of univ university ersity graduates graduates do do not have have fullfulltime employment upon graduation and are not as likely to go on to gra gradu duat atee scho schools ols.. In Incr crea easi sing ng num number berss of of yo youn ungg Japanese are also more widely accepting a “ freet life fest styl yle. e.  freeter  er ” li (Freeter is a Japanese compound word developed from the English word word “free “free”” and the German word “arbeiter” meaning worker.) worker .) More and more young people are continuing to live at home, depende dependent nt on their parents parents and and working working without regular or advancing employment. This change in attitudes toward work among Japan’s  young generat gen erations ions has a signif s ignificant icant effec effect. t. The collapse col lapse of the Japanese economy in the early 1990s meant fewer university  graduates were hired as full-time workers by Japanese companies.. Emplo panies Employers yers began to hire hire more part-time workers workers in order ord er to reduce reduce costs. costs. Traditio raditionally nally,, Jap Japanese anese compa companies nies provided lifetime employment for the sarariman  (salary  man). man ). In retur return n for empl employm oyment ent and and other other benef benefits its,, the sarariman  was expected to devote many hours to his work  and company company during his lifetime. lifetime. Compan Companies ies in the past past typically provided their own training for university graduates. Thus, Japanese universities universities tended to have relative relative unimportance for preparin preparingg graduates with a specific, specific, clear vision vision of 

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Japan their career goals or providing support for career planning. Today oday,, Japanese companies are seeking to hire students who can make make immediate immediate contributio contributions ns to the the company company.. This means that universities must alter how they train students. EDUCATION

A young person’s educational background is a vital factor in gaining gaining employment. employment. Students who graduate from from top universities have an advantage over others when seeking employment. emplo yment. To qualify for admission admission to top universi universities, ties, students devote many hours to intense study study.. Students prepare for entrance exams by attending private academies (called juku  (called  juku ) after regular regular school hours. hours. The intensity intensity of juku  of  juku  combined com bined with the demand demandss of regul regular ar homework homework leave leavess students little leisure time. time. Increase Increasess in suicides among youth youth and a troublesome troublesome trend of students showing showing little interest interest in studying are percei perceived ved as issues of an educational educational system needin nee dingg changes. changes. It is the desire desire of of the Japane Japanese se to contin continue ue serious efforts to make educational opportunities more effective for students. Japanese students typically attend school for 240 days, approximately 60 days more than students in the United States. The school school year begins in April. Japanese schools used used to have have a 6-day school week, week, having only only Sundays Sundays off. In the past decade this changed to 2 or 3 Saturdays per month off. Presently Pres ently,, many schools schools are now now following following a 5-day school school week at the reco recomme mmendati ndation on of educ educatio ational nal advisor advisors. s. Surprisingly Surprisin gly,, neither students nor nor teachers teachers are happy happy with the new 5-day 5-day schedule! schedule! The Japane Japanese, se, it seems, recogn recognize ize the tremendous tremen dous importanc importancee of of education both to individ individuals uals and to their country. Prior to the national education system that was established in Japan Japan more than 100 years ago, ago, various schools served the needss of the differin need differingg social classes. classes. Speci Special al schools schools were were established lishe d for childre children n of the warrior warrior class, for wealth wealthyy members members of 

Living in Japan Today

Students line up in a Tokyo schoolyard and prepare to exercise. Most students in Japan wear school uniforms.

the mercha merchant nt and farmin farmingg classes, classes, and for for the childr children en of the lower classes. The national education system developed elementary and secondary schools throughout Japan Japan for all children. children. Students progress pro gress through through the stages of kind kindergart ergarten en (often (often starting at age 3), elem elementary entary,, seco secondary ndary,, and univ university ersity.. Ther Theree are impo imporrtant differences between Japanese and western-style schools. Virtually every Japanese student studies the English language from Grade Grade 7 throughout throughout his or her her final year year of high school. All students and teachers clean their own classrooms and school buildings. Students are also required required to memorize large large number num berss of of fac facts. ts.

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Japan Despite academic Despite academic successes successes,, imp impres ressiv sivee testing testing perforperformances, manc es, and a literacy literacy rate rate of 99 percent percent (the (the world’ world’ss highest), highest), educational reforms are presently being implemented to better preparee Japanese students prepar students for the future. future. One change being intr in trod oduc uced ed is the the use use of tas taskk-ori orien ente ted, d, in indi divid vidua uali lize zed d approaches to creative creative problem problem solving. solving. Decreasing emphasis emphasis on the massive quantities of memorization is another change for Japanese Japanese students. Many Japanese feel feel the entrance exams exams required for high schools and universities are too stressful and the curriculum too rigid. Students believe that schools need to change in order to produce more creative and flexible citizens for the 21st century century.. LEISURE TIME

Today oday,, the Japanese are devoting more attention to leisure timee than tim than in the the past. past. Re Readi ading, ng, go going ing out to to eat, eat, per perfo formi rming ng karaoke with karaoke  with friends, and traveling traveling within Japan Japan to hot hot springs and beaches beaches are high on the list of leisu leisure re activities. activities. Riding on on a train in Japan, Japan, you will probably observe the Japanese Jap anese populati population on doing doing one of two things things — sleep sleeping ing (due to deman de mands ds of of sch schoo ooll and and work work)) or re readi ading. ng. If the theyy are are read reading ing,, there is a significant chance they will be enjoying manga , a fo form of Jap Japanese anese comic comic book. book. Manga  Manga are are written written for all ages ages of peop people le with a wide, wide range of topi topics. cs. App Appro roximat ximately ely 40 perce percent nt of  of  all printed items items in Japan Japan are in this comic format. format. A popular leisure activity, manga  off offer er an inexpens inexpensive ive form form of ente entertainrtainment. More Moreover over,, manga  manga are are also used to introduce subjects such as histo history ry,, la law w, or eco econo nomic mics. s. They ma mayy be used used as comp compan any  y  brochur bro chures, es, for adverti advertising, sing, or for for highlighting highlighting specif specific ic hobbies hobbies such su ch as go golf lf or so socc ccer er.. Th Thee manga  industry continues to find inviting ways to keep children and adults interested in this form of ente entertainm rtainment. ent. Vis Visual ual effects effects bring bring the reade readerr into the story  story  much like like movies, movies, yet are far far cheaper to to produce. produce. Wi With th golfing golfing fees fe es of of $15 $150 0 or or movi moviee tick ticket etss of $20 $20,, manga  offers affordable enjoyment for many people.

Living in Japan Today Renting a karaoke  karaoke room room with friends is a popular recreational activity amongst amongst Japanese Japanese youth. youth. Compl Complete ete with micro microphones phones,, a television televisio n screen screen,, soft lighting, and low couc couch-style h-style seating, these small rooms rooms provide provide hours of fun for singing singing the lyrics to your your favorite songs! The sumo hero  gently wades through an ocean  of ad admi mire rers rs.. Takai Kito (1741–1789) By the time this haiku  haiku (a (a three-line poem consisting of  a 5-7-5 syllable syllable pattern) pattern) was written in the 18th century century,, sumo  (Japanese wrestling) had become a popular spectator sport. Sumo began Sumo  began not as a sport, but as a religious religious event event associated associated with the autumn harvest. harvest. Tradition tells tells that sumo  wrestlers from farming villages divided into two groups to wrestle. The win winning ning side side held the the belief that they had been been favore favored d by  the gods and would would have a better harvest because of this favor favor. Today, sumo  sumo tournaments tournaments are are held 6 times per year year,, with each tournament tourn ament lastin lastingg 15 day days. s. Speci Special al rituals, rituals, such as throwin throwingg salt into into the wrestl wrestling ing ring ring as a sign sign of puri purific ficatio ation, n, are performed pe rformed each day day of of the tournam tournament. ent. Baseball is another another highly popular popular sport in Japan. Japan. Nearl Nearly  y  every eve ry day of the baseball baseball season, season, spect spectato ators rs cheer cheer enthusias enthusiastitically for their favorite teams! A major sporting event that occurs twice during baseball season is the national high school baseball tournament. Sports fans from from all over over Japan Japan come to Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture to cheer for their team. The energy energy and enthusiasm enthusiasm produced produced by this event event is phenom phe nomena enal. l. Each team team perfo performs rms a number number of of ritua rituals, ls, such as attending attendi ng shrines to pray and offering offering humble humble bows of thanks for a productive productive practice practice session. These rituals are done done in hope of ensuring their their team has done all it can to achieve achieve success in the tournament. tournament.

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Japan

There are many festivals and carnival celebrations in the Japanese year. This crowd of worshippers is at a temple during the Sanji Festival in Tokyo.

ART FORMS AND AN D CELEBRATIONS CELEBRATIONS

A blend of traditional and contempo contemporary rary culture can be found in in Japanese Japanese celebrations. celebrations. Art forms such as chanoyu  (tea ceremony), ikebana  ikebana (flo (flower wer arrangin arranging), g), and kabuki  kabuki (live (live theatrical performances) offer traditional rituals learned and performed in Japan. Chanoyu  dat dates es back hund hundred redss of yea years rs to rituals rituals of  of 

Living in Japan Today Buddhist monk Buddhist monks. s. This cer ceremo emony ny,, inv involvin olvingg a serie seriess of step stepss to turn powdered powdered green green tea into a soothing hot beverage, beverage, was performed as a means of simpl simplicity icity and conce concentratio ntration n during the mon monks’ ks’ medi meditatio tations. ns. Ikebana  was used as a way to honor Buddhi Bud dhist st and and Shint Shinto o spiri spirits. ts. Thi Thiss unique unique ski skill ll of arra arrangi nging ng flowers according to strict rules offers representations of  heav he aven en,, ea earth rth,, an and d peop people le.. The co colo lorf rful ul stag stagin ingg of  kabuki  is filled fille d with brilliant costumin costuming, g, dramati dramaticc action, and expressi expressive ve facial make-up make-up.. All character character roles, whether portraying portraying men men or women, are played played by men as ordered ordered by tradition. Contemporary customs and celebrations are especially  evident evide nt in the live livess of Jap Japanes anesee youth. youth. Alo Along ng with the poppopularity of  manga  manga an and d karaoke , animati animation on has has been popul popular ar in movies movies and television television program programming. ming. No Nott only is this this animation ani mation popular popular in Japan, Japan, but this concept concept is also reachin reachingg audiences worldwide. Countless festivals and holiday celebrations are held in Japan throughout throughout the year. year. Some are celebrated celebrated in local areas areas only,, while others are popular across only across the entire country. country. Japan Japan’’s most important holiday celebration is oshogatsu , the New Year Year.. Companies and government offices are closed for the first 3 days of of the year year.. The New New Year is is a time time of of toge togetherne therness ss for for relativ rela tives. es. The holida holidayy closing closing of of schoo schools ls and busin businesses esses allow  allow  families to travel by train, car car,, and air to gather for celebrations. celebrations. Celebrations actually begin on New New Year’ Year’ss Eve, Eve, when many  Japanese families eat soba  noodles as a representation and hopee for a long life. Many also go to a local shrine or hop or temple to to pray for good fortune fort une in the coming year. On New Year’s Year’s Day, Day, special foods and games are shared with family members and gifts of mone moneyy are are given given to child children ren.. These activi activities ties are all done with with the hopes of bringi bringing ng health and and happiness happiness to the New Year. An important summer festival in Japan is Obon, or Festiva Fes tivall of the Dead Dead.. Obon  Obon fest festiviti ivities es begin on Augus Augustt 13th and con continu tinuee for for 3 days days.. Budd Buddhist hist in origin origin,, this fest festiva ivall

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Japan honors the spir honors spirit it and and mem memory ory of of fam family ily anc ancest estors ors.. It is is believed believe d that the souls of the dead return return home at at this time of ye year ar.. Thu Thus, s, hom homes es and and grave gravesto stones nes are car carefu efully lly clea cleaned ned.. Special offerings offerings of food are placed placed before before the family family altar in homes. Small fires or lanterns are are set out to guide the souls of  the dead dead to and and from from their homes. In some some locations, locations, people releasee paper lanterns releas lanterns to float on rivers, guiding the souls of  the departed. Children’s festivals are widely celebrated in Japan as well. On March March 3rd, a Doll Festival is held for young young girls to wish for growth gro wth and good health. health. Child Children ren’’s Day for young young boys, boys, held on May May 5th, is a day day to wish for strength strength and health. Tanabata, the Star Festiv Festival, al, occur occurss on July July 7th. On this day day, child children ren write write wishess on colore wishe colored d strips of of pape paperr and tie them them to bamboo bamboo branches. Shichigosan, or ‘Sev ‘Seven-f en-fiv ive-thr e-three’ ee’ is celebrate celebrated d on Novem No vember ber 15th. On this day day, 7-y 7-year ear-old -old girls, girls, 5-y 5-year ear-old -old boys, boys, and all 3-year-olds dress in kimonos and traditional clothing. The children then go to shrines with their parents to pray  for contin continued ued health health and growth growth.. (Hi (Histo storica rically lly,, thes thesee ages were milestone birthdays for having survived or overcome childhood diseases.) Agricultural, seasonal, and local festivals festivals are also celebrated throughout the country’s country’s landscape. No matter matter where one lives lives in Japan, Japan, a colorful colorful event is is sure to be celebrated celebrated with great great honor and spirit! A PEOPLE AND A PROVERB

“The nail that sticks up will w ill get hammered down. dow n.”  ” What What does this Japanese proverb mean to you? Japan is traditionally a group-oriented society in which no one individual wants to stand out. To do so so shows shows great disrespect disrespect and dishonor dishonor.. Loyalty and devotion devotion to the group is valued and expected. expected. This dedicatio dedi cation n reaches reaches across across all age groups, groups, eve even n to members members of a baseball team. Manyy Japanese Man Japanese traditions remain remain a strong strong part of society society..

Living in Japan Today Yet, the younger generations are beginning to question some of these tradi tradition tions, s, viewi viewing ng them as need needing ing ref reform. orm. Fami Family  ly  relatio rel ations, ns, rol roles es of of male maless and and female females, s, and car career eer opti options ons are challengi chall enging ng the gro groupth upthink ink of Jap Japanes anesee society society.. Wh What at will will these changes in social cohesion bring to Japan’s future?

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Japanese kindergarten children pose for the camera. The next generation of Japanese leaders will face many challenges, including how to maintain economic prosperity.

9 Japan Looks Ahead

I

n your your tour tour of of Jap Japan an through through the the pages pages of of this book book you you have have learned learn ed abou aboutt Japan Japan’’s land, land, hist history ory,, and peop people. le. You hav havee seen se en how people people in the Land Land of the Rising Rising Sun have have overc overcome ome countless hardships and obstacles to become a leading world economic power power.. Less than 150 years years ago, ago, they emerged emerged from from a shell in which they had taken taken refuge for over over 300 years. In under a halfcentury,, having undergone century undergone the many changes changes introduced during the Meiji Restoration, Restoration, the small country became a major world world power. power. During your your reading, reading, you have come to to know know the Japanese Japanese as a resil re silien ient, t, edu educat cated, ed, har hard-w d-work orking ing,, and hon honest est peo people ple.. The Theyy of offer fer a great deal to admire admire and to respect. respect. Japan has a literacy rate near near 100 percent percent and the world’ world’ss longest life life expectancy. expectancy. Indeed, a majority  of Japanese believe that their lives lives are good. good. As the world’s world’s most hazard-prone hazard-prone country, country, Japan will certainly 

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Japan continue contin ue to to suffe sufferr the the ravage ravagess of natur nature. e. Earth Earthquak quakes es will will continue to to cause massive destruction, destruction, accompanied by by loss of  both property and human lives. lives. Seismic events will continue continue to create tsunamis tsunamis that can wash entire communi communities ties off the map. Typhoons will continue to strike the islands, bringing howling winds, dre drenchi nching ng rain, and accompa accompanyin nyingg disastrous disastrous flooding flooding and landsli landslides. des. Ove Overr the cent centuries, uries, how however ever,, the Japane Japanese se have have become accustomed accustomed to to these hazards. hazards. Through wise planning, planning, zoning, zonin g, and building building the potential potential for devastating losses losses is minimized. Japan, with its 127 million people, is among the world’ world’ss most densely crowded countries countries.. The Tokyo-Y Tokyo-Yokohama okohama metropolitan area alone has more more people people than the combined combined population population of all states west of the Mississippi River River except except California and Texas. Texas. Rather than being a liability liability,, however however,, Japan Japan’’s people are its primary reso resource urce.. A number number of schoo schooll reforms reforms hav havee been been implemented implement ed that are designed to further impro improve ve the education of Jap Japanese anese you youngste ngsters. rs. This will sure surely ly make make the country’ country’ss human huma n resour resources ces even even more more valua valuable ble in in the futur future. e. So, too too,, will the continued continued rapid rapid integration integration of women into a previously  previously  male-dominated male-domin ated society and workplace. With Wi th a rate of natural populati population on increase increase approac approaching hing zero zer o perce percent, nt, Jap Japan an’’s populati population on is is rapidly rapidly aging. aging. Pr Provid oviding ing medi me dica call car care, e, re reti tire reme ment nt pe pens nsio ions ns,, an and d othe otherr nee needs ds of th thee elderly will place a huge strain on the country’s already stressed economyy. Who will fill the many jobs vacated by retirees? econom retirees? This is a matter matter of great conc concern ern to many many Japane Japanese. se. Curr Currently ently,, mor moree than 99 99 percent percent of the people people share a commo common n race, race, cultur culture, e, heritage, herita ge, and values. values. Almo Almost st certainly certainly, Jap Japan an will have to turn to fore fo reign ign lands lands— — Chi China, na, Sou South th Kor Korea, ea, the Philip Philippin pines, es, and elseelsewhere— where — to fill the labor gap. gap. Many Japanese feel threatened threatened by  these chang changes. es. They worry worry about about what will become become of of the way  way  of life they have enjoyed and protected for so many many centuries. One gigantic question looming over Japan’s future is its gove go vernm rnment ent.. Fo Forr nearly nearly all of the past past half ce centu ntury ry,, the count country  ry 

Japan Looks Ahead has been been ruled by by the Liberal Liberal Democrati Democraticc Party Party (LDP). Its futur fut uree rema remains ins in in doubt doubt.. Ce Certai rtainly nly,, if Ja Japan pan is to to once once agai again n prosper,, major changes need to be made prosper made in the way the country  is governed. governed. There is desperate desperate need for new new names and faces, faces, new ideas ideas and strategies. strategies. The LDP led the country country through 40 years of of booming economic economic growth growth and rapid social social change. Today oday,, however however,, many Japanese Japanese believe that their government is a bloated and corrupt bureaucracy bureaucracy.. They attribute much of  their country’s woes to the very close (and often dishonest) relatio rel ationsh nship ip betw between een go gove vernme rnment, nt, ban bankin king, g, and bus busines iness. s. They feel that their government is either unable or unwilling to make those hard decisions that are essential essenti al to improve the country’s future. Japan Ja pan’’s econom economyy, des despit pitee its present present plunge, plunge, has many  many  strengths on which to base base recovery recovery.. It is a world world leader in manufactu man ufacturing ring a huge variety variety of of pro products ducts.. Jap Japanes anesee products products have a worldwide reputation for high quality and reasonable cost. The Japanese sales force force may be the world’ world’ss most effective. In many respects the country’s current economic difficulties repres rep resent ent a relati relative, ve, rathe ratherr than abso absolute lute,, hard hardship ship.. Ac Accor cording ding to the United United Nations, Nations, there are 191 191 independent independent countries— countries — 1899 of 18 of wh whic ich h rank  rank  below  Japan economically! Most Japanese remain optimistic about their country’s country’s future. It would would be premature to suggest that the sun is finally setting on the “Miracle “Mir acle of Jap Japan. an.”” A country country so accustom accustomed ed to overc overcomin omingg past obstacles certainly certainly will survive its present present crisis. The Land of the Rising Sun shall continue to shine brightly on the stage of modern world world nations nations well into the future.

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Facts at a Glance Name Official Name Official Language Capital Land Area Highest Elevation Climate Population

Japan Nippon or Nihon Japanese Tokyo 145,862 square miles (377,781 square kilometers) Mount Fuji, 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) Tropical and subtropical in the south; cool temperate in the north 126,975,000 (2002 estimate)

Life Expectancy

81 years

Infant Mortality

3.8 deaths per 1,000 births

Ethnic Groups Religions Literacy Government Independence

99 percent Japanese, 1 percent Korean, Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino, and other 84 percent observe both Shinto and Buddhist, 16 percent other 99 percent Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government 660 B.C. (T (Traditional raditional founding founding by Emperor Jimmu)

 Yen en Currency  Y Gross Domestic Product Unemployment

$3.45 trillion (2002 estimate) 5 percent

Exports

Motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals

Imports

Fuel, foodstuffs, machinery; textiles

History at a Glance 30,000 B.C. 10,000 300 300 A.D.-710 A.D.

710-794

794

Japan’s first settlers arrive. The Jomon, a hunting and gathering people, settle Japan.  Yayoi people replace the Jomon and introduce agriculture. The Kofun era. Chinese written language is introduced and the  Yamato clan rises to power. powe r. The Nara era. Japan’s rulers build the country’s first capital and begin to coin money and collect taxes. Japan’s rulers move the capital from Nara to Heian (present-day Kyoto).

1185

Minamoto clan defeats the Taira clan.

1192

Minamoto Yoritomo becomes the first shogun.

1274-1281

The Mongols under Kublai Khan try and fail to invade Japan.

1467-1477

Onin Wars devastate Kyoto.

1543

Portuguese traders arrive, bringing commerce, guns, and Christianity

1603

Tokugawa Ieyasu seizes control and moves capital to Edo (present-day Tokyo).

1640

Japan closes its doors to the rest of the world.

1853

U.S. Commodore Matthew C. Perry arrives in Tokyo Harbor and gains trading rights with Japan.

1867

The emperor is restored to power in the Meiji Restoration.

1894

Japan goes to war against China.

1904

Japan goes to war against Russia.

1910

Japan annexes Korea.

1923

The Great Tokyo earthquake kills thousands.

1926

Emperor Hirohito takes power.

1931

Japan seizes Manchuria.

1937

Japan wages a brutal war on China.

1941

Japan enters World War II against the United States and the Allies.

1945

Japan surrenders after the United States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

1952

The United States ends its occupation of Japan.

History at a Glance 1956

Japan becomes a member of the United Nations.

1964

Tokyo hosts Summer S ummer Olympics.

1972

Sapporo hosts the Winter Olympics.

1995 1998

 An earthquake devastates deva states Kobe and Osaka. Nagano hosts the Winter Olympics.

Further Reading Beasley, W.G. The Japanese Experience. Los Angeles, Beasley, Angeles, Calif California: ornia: Univer Un iversity sity of Calif California ornia Pres Press, s, 2000. Bix, Herbe Herbert rt P. P. Hiro Hirohito hito and the the Making of of Mode Modern rn Japan. New York: Perenni Pe rennial, al, 2000. Collinwood, Collinw ood, Dean W. W. Global Studies: Japan and the Pacific Rim (Sixth (Si xth Edi Editio tion). n). Gui Guilfo lford, rd, CT CT:: Dus Dushki hkin, n, 200 2001. 1. Ellington, Lucie Ellington, Lucien. n. Japan:  Japan: A Global Studies Handbook . San Santa ta Bar Barba bara, ra, CA CA:: ABC-CLIO ABC-CL IO,, 2002. Gordon, Andr Gordon, Andrew ew.. A Modern History of Japan – From Tokugawa Times  Times  to the Present. New York: York: Oxfor Oxford d University University Press, Press, 2003.  Japan. Baedek Baedeker er Travel Travel Guide. Guide. New York: York: Macm Macmillan illan Travel Travel,, Simon & Schuster Schus ter Macmillan, (publ (published ished annually). Shelle Shel leyy, Rex ex,, T. C. Yon ong, g, an and d R. R. Mok ok.. Cultu Cultures res of the World: World: Japan. Singapore: Times Books Books Internationa International, l, 2002. Whyte, Harli Whyte, Harlinah. nah. Coun Countries tries of the World: World: Japan. Japan. Singapo Singapore: re: Times Books Internatio Int ernational, nal, 2002.

 Websites  Web sites

Central Intelligence Agency. CIA-Th CIA-Thee World World Factbook, Japan , (ann (annual ual updat update) e) www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook (Japan) www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook  (Japan) Geography Home Page. Geography Page. (General informa information tion on a variety variety of topi topics) cs) www.geography.about.com Japanese Government Japanese Government,, Minis Ministry try of For Foreign eign Affairs. Affairs. Japa Japan n Information Information Netwo Network  rk  www.jinjapan.org  Library of of Congr Congress ess Country Country Studies: Studies: Japan   Japan  http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html  National Clearing House for U.S./Japan Studies www.indiana.edu/~japan  Schauwecker’s Guide to Japan  Schauwecker’s www.japan-guide.com U.S .S.. Dep Depart artmen mentt of St Stat ate: e: Japan   Japan  www.state.gov/countries 

Index  Aging population, 52, 84-85, 96 Agriculture, 14, 16-17, 19, 26, 30, 34, 52, 70, 71, 75 Ainu, 29, 31 Airlines, 14, 54, 72 Area, 51, 70 Art, 32, 90-91 Ashikaga Takauji, Shogun, 35 Atomic bombs, 46, 64 Australia, 65

Corruption, 63, 76, 97 Culture, 10-11, 13, 16, 30-32, 3637, 42, 51, 55-59, 61, 69, 72, 79-93, 96

Baseball, 89 Beef, 79-80, 81 Birth rate, 52, 84, 96 Blizzards, 25 Bonsai tradition, Bonsai  tradition, 10-11 Buddhism, 31, 57-58, 79-80, 90-92 Burma, 44 Bushido (code Bushido  (code of honor), 34

Early settlers, 29-30 Earthquakes, 11, 22, 23-24, 72-73, 96 East China Sea, 14 Economy,, 9, 10, 11, 13-14, 16, 17, Economy 21, 26, 34, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 48-49, 53, 65, 67-77, 85-86, 95, 96, 97 Ecosystems, 20-23 Edo, 36 See also Tokyo also Tokyo Education, 40, 53, 74, 75, 84, 85-88, 95, 96 Elections, 61, 62 Elementary schools, 87 Emperor, 30, 40, 43, 46, 61, 63-64 Energy resources, 20, 73 English language, 57, 87 Ethnic Japanese, 54, 96 Europeans, 36-37, 40, 41, 43-44, 65 European Union, 65 Executive branch, 62-63, 64 Exports, 73, 76

Cabinet, 63, 64 Canada, 14, 16 Capital city. See  See Tokyo Tokyo Cars, 72 Celebrations, 61, 91-92 Chanoyu (tea Chanoyu  (tea ceremony), 90-91 Charter Oath, 40 Chicken, 81 Chief justice, 61, 63 Children’s Children ’s festivals, 92 China, 10, 11, 14, 30-32, 34, 37, 42, 44, 56, 64, 65 Chinese language, 31 Christianity, 36-37 Cities, 11, 14, 23-24, 25, 31-32, 33, 35, 52, 54, 70, 81, 84, 96 See also Tokyo also Tokyo Communications, 40, 73 Confucianism, 31 Constitutional monarchy monarchy,, 61 Constitutions, 40, 41, 46, 57, 61, 63, 64, 65, 75-76

Daimyo  (local leader), 34, 35, 36 Daimyo (local Dannoura, Battle of, 32 Diet (legislature), 41, 46, 61, 62, 63 Districts (prefectures), 64

Family, 84-85, 91-92 Fast food, 81, 84 Firearms, 36 Fish, 21-22, 26, 71, 79-80 Floods, 11, 22, 25 Food, 21-22, 26, 43, 71, 79-81, 84, 91

Index  Foreign affairs, 10, 40, 41-46, 47, 48, 64-65, 75 and isolation, 29, 37, 39-40, 65, 74-75, 95 and Russo-Japanese War, 42-43 See also World also World War II Forests, 20-21 Francis Xavier, 36 Fuji, Mount, 17, 19, 22 Fujiwara family, 32 Fujiwara Michinaga, 32 Fusuma (sliding Fusuma  (sliding doors), 81 Futon (soft Futon  (soft folding mattress), 83 Future, 10, 88, 95-97 Gaijin (outsiders), 55 Gaijin (outsiders), Gempei Wars, 32 Genkan (small, Genkan  (small, wooden-floored area), 81-82 Go-Daigo, Emperor, 34-35 Government, 46, 61-65, 75-77, 96-97 Gross domestic product (GDP), 68 Groupthink, 92-93 Haiku  (three-line poem), 89 Haiku (three-line Hashi (chopsticks), Hashi  (chopsticks), 81 Health care, 80, 85 Heiankyo, 31 Heian period, 31-32 Heijokyo, 31 Hiragana (Japanese Hiragana  (Japanese writing character), 56 Hirohito, Emperor, Emperor, 43, 46 Hiroshima, 46, 64 History, 14 early, 9, 10, 29-37, 74-75, 95 and rise of modern Japan, 9, 39-49, 75-76, 95 Hokkaido, 13, 19, 20, 22, 29, 31, 83 Honshu, 13, 19, 20, 30

House of Councillors, 62 House of Representatives, 62 Housing, 10-11, 20, 23, 26, 81-84 Hydroelectric energy, 73 Ikebana  (flower arranging), 90, 91 Ikebana (flower Imperialism, 41-46, 75 Imports, 14, 21, 71, 73 Income distribution, 69 Independence, 48-49 Indo-China, 44 Indonesia, 44 Industry, 11, 14, 16, 26, 47, 48, 75 Infant mortality rates, 53 Islands, 13, 71-72 Isolation, 29, 37, 39-40, 65, 74-75, 95 Japanese language, 56-57, 80 Japanese writing, 56-57 Japan, Sea of, 14, 19, 20 Jimmu, Emperor, 30 Jomon, 29-30 Judicial branch, 61, 62, 63-64 Kabuki  (live theatrical performances), Kabuki (live 90, 91 Kamakura (city), 33 Kamakura era, 10, 32-34, 35 Kamikaze (divide Kamikaze  (divide winds) fighters, 34 Kanji (Japanese Kanji  (Japanese writing character), 56 Kanto Plain, 17, 23 Karaoke (singing), Karaoke  (singing), 88, 89, 91 Katakana (Japanese Katakana  (Japanese writing character), 56, 57 Kobe, 54 and 1995 earthquake, 23-24, 72-73 Kofun/Yamato era, 30-31 Korea, Kor ea, 30-31, 37, 42, 57 and Korean War, 47

Index  Kotatsu  (low table with heater), 83 Kublai Khan, 34 Kyoto, 32, 36, 54 Kyoto Protocol, 65 Kyushu, 13, 19, 25, 26, 30

Land features, 10, 16-17, 19, 20, 30, 52, 54, 70-71 Land of the Rising Sun, 9, 95, 97 Landslides, 22, 23, 72, 96 Language, 56-57, 80, 87 League of Nations, 44 Legislative branch, 61, 62, 63 Leisure, 84, 85, 86, 88-89, 91 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), 63, 97 Life expectancy, 10, 22, 52, 53, 80, 84, 95 Literacy rates, 53, 75, 88, 95 Literature, 32, 89 Local government, 64 Location, 13, 14, 16, 70, 73 Lumber, 20-21 MacArthur, Douglas, 46 MacArthur, Malaya, 44 Manchuria (Manchukuo), 44 Manga  (Japanese comic book), 88, 91 Manufacturing, 42, 73, 75, 76, 97 Meat, 79-80, 81 Meiji Restoration, 32, 40-41, 75, 95 Middle class, 69 Midway, Battle of, 45 Military, 40, 41, 42, 43-46, 63, 64-65, 75-76 Minamata Bay, 26 Minamata disease, 26 Minamoto family, 32 Miracle of the Orient, 9, 51, 67, 69 Mongols, 34

Monsoon winds, 19, 20 Mountains, 10, 16-17, 19, 20, 30, 52, 54, 70 Movies, 91 Muromachi Muroma chi (city), (cit y), 35 Muromachi Muroma chi era, 35 Mutsuhito, Emperor, 40 Nagaoka, 31 Nagasaki, 37, 46, 64 Nagoya, 54 Nanking, 44 Nara (city), 31 Nara era, 31-32 Narita International Airport, 54 Natural environment, 9, 10, 11, 13-14, 16-17, 19-27, 70-71 Natural hazards, 11, 14, 16, 17, 20, 22-26, 34, 52, 72-73, 95-96 Natural resources, 14, 20-22, 41-42, 48, 70, 73, 75 Navy, 40 Netherlands, 37 Nippon/Nihon  (source of the sun), 9 Nobunaga, Oda, 36 Nori  (seaweed), 80 North Korea, 14, 64 Obento  (box lunch), 80-81 Obon  (Festival of the Dead), 91-92 Okinawa, 17 Olympics, 19 Onin War, 36 Osaka, 31, 54 Oshogatsu (New Year), 91

“Pacific Ring of Fire,” 22 Pearl Harbor, 44-45 People, 9, 10-11, 16, 17, 23, 48, 5159, 73-74, 77, 81, 96 Per capita (per person) GDP, 68 Perry,, Matthew C., 39-40, Perry 39- 40, 75

Index  Philippines, 44 Plains, 16-17, 23, 54 Poetry, 89 Political parties, 62, 63, 97 Pollution, 26-27, 65 Population, 9, 11, 51-53, 70, 84, 96 Population density, 52, 53, 54, 70, 83, 96 Pork, 79-80, 81 Portugal, 36 Poultry, 81 Precipitation, 20, 25-26 Prime minister, 61, 62-63 Purchasing power parity (PPP), 68-69 Railroads, 14, 40, 72 Reading, 88 Religion, 30, 31, 32, 36-37, 57-59, 79, 90-92 Rice, 19, 30, 43, 80 Roosevelt, Theodore, 42-43 Russia, 14, 42-43 Russo-Japanese War, 42-43 Ryukyu, 19 Samurai  (warrior class), 34, 35, 41 Samurai (warrior Satsuma Rebellion, 40-41 Savings, 69, 74 Secondary schools, 87, 88 Settlement patterns, 54 Shikoku, 13, 19 Shimabara, 25 Shimonoseki Straits, 32 Shintoism, 57-58, 59, 91 Shipbuilding, 73 Shoes, removal of, 81-82 Shoguns (title given to military  commanders), 32-37, 40-41 Showa Period, 43 Siberia, 14 Singapore, 44

Snow, 19, 20 Soba noodles, Soba  noodles, 91 South Korea, 14, 65 South Pacific, 44 Sports, 89 Standard of living, 48, 52-53 Suicides, 69, 86 Sukiyaki (skillet Sukiyaki  (skillet dish), 81 Sumo (Japanese Sumo  (Japanese wrestling), 89 Sun Goddess, 30 Supreme Court, 63-64 Sushi (raw Sushi  (raw fish), 80 Taira family, 32 Taiwan, 42 Tatami (straw Tatami  (straw mats), 83 Technology, 74, 75 Telegraphs, 40 Television, 91 Tempura (fried Tempura  (fried vegetables and fish), 81 Tokugawa/Edo period, per iod, 36-37, 39 Tokugawa Leyasu, 36-37 Tokyo, 11, 19, 23, 32, 36, 54, 96 and 1923 earthquake, 23 Trade, 14, 16, 21, 34, 37, 42, 43, 48, 65, 71, 73, 76 Transportation, 13, 14, 42, 71, 72, 73 Tropical storms, 11, 19, 20, 22, 25-26, 34, 96 Truman, Harry S., 46 Tsunamis, 22, 23, 25, 96 Tsuyoshi, Inukai, 44 Typhoons, 19, 20, 22, 25-26, 34, 96 Udon  noodles, 81 Unemployment, Unemplo yment, 69, 76, 85 United Nations, 48, 65 United States, 10, 14, 16, 39-40, 41, 42-46, 47, 64-65, 71, 74, 75 United States-Japan Security Treaty  of 1951, 47, 65 Universities, Univ ersities, 85-86, 87, 88

Index  Volcanoes, 11, 16, 17, 22, 72 Voting rights, 61 War, Renunciation of, 46, 64-65 Water features, feat ures, 14, 19, 20, 21-22, 23, 25, 26, 37, 71, 72, 73, 79-80 Weather/climate, 11, 17, 19-20, 19- 20, 25-26, 34, 83 Westernization, 11, 42, 75, 81, 83, 84 See also  Europeans; United States Women, role of, 46, 84-85, 84- 85, 96 Work ethic, et hic, 69, 73-74, 73- 74, 85

World power, 41-46 World War I, 43 World War II, 10, 16, 34, 44-46, 64, 74 Japan after, 46-48, 75-76 peace treaty ending, 47 and Pearl Harbor, 44-45 Yamato dynasty, 30 Yayoi people, 30 Yokohama, 11, 17, 23, 54, 96 Yoritomo, 32-34

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 About the Author CHARLES F. “FRITZ” GRITZNER  is

Distinguis Disti nguished hed Profes Professor sor of Geogr Geograph aphyy at South Dakota State University University in Brookings. He is now now in his fifth decade of  college teaching, resear research, ch, and writing. In addition addition to his teaching, teaching, he enjoys enjoys traveling, trave ling, writing, working with teachers, teachers, and sharing his love love for geography  with students students and other other readers. readers. As consulting consulting editor editor for for the MODERN WORLD NATIONS series, he has a wonderful wonderful opportunity to combine combine each each of  these “hobbies “hobbies..” Gritzne Gritznerr has visited Japan on two occasions, most recently  recently  as a Great Great Plains-Rocky Plains-Rocky Mount Mountain ain Region Region Japan Fellow Fellow.. Dr Dr.. Gritzner has served as both president president and executive executive director of the National National Council for Geographic Education. Education. He has received received numerous awards awards in recognition of  his achie achieve vemen ments, ts, inc includ luding ing the the NCGE’ NCGE’ss George George J. J. Mil Miller ler Awar Award d for Distinguished Distinguishe d Service. DOUGLAS A. PHILLIPS

is an educator and writer who has traveled in over 70 countries. count ries. His many visits to Japan include travel as a Keizai Koho Koho Center Fellow.. During his career, Fellow career, Phillips has worked worked as a middle school teacher teacher,, a curriculum curriculum dev develop eloper er,, a writer writer,, and as as a trainer trainer of educ educato ators rs in vario various us locations around the the world. He has served as president president of the National National Council for Geographic Education and has received the Outstanding Service Award from the National Council for the Social Studies and numerous other awards recognizing his contributions to geography and social studies education. He,, hi He hiss wife wife Marl Marlen ene, e, and th their eir th thre reee chil childr dren en,, Ch Chris ris,, An Angel gela, a, and Dan Daniel iel havee lived in South Dakota hav Dakota and Alaska, but he and his family now reside reside in Arizona, Arizon a, where he writes and serves serves as an educational consultant. consultant. KRISTI L. DESAULNIERS

enjoys incorporating her travel experiences with student stud ents’ s’ lear learning. ning. Ms. Desa Desaulni ulniers ers is an elem element entary ary school school teache teacherr with a Master’ss Degree in geography Master’ geogr aphy.. Her love for travel travel has taken her to teaching assignme assi gnments nts in in England, England, Swi Switze tzerland rland,, Cana Canada, da, and her her home home stat statee of Sou South th Dakota. Other travels travels include a Keizai Keizai Koho Koho Center Center Fellowship Fellowship during which she had a wonderful opportunity to see and experience Japan and its culture.. Ms. Desaulnie culture Desaulniers rs also has taught in Canada on on a Fulbright Exchan Exchange ge and has received several several teaching recognitions, including the Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education. She currently reside residess in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her husb hu sband and,, Ro Rob b, in a home home with with memo memorie ries, s, me meme ment ntoes oes,, and maps maps of of tra trave vels ls to Japan and elsewhere.