A Brief Overview of Japan5 January 2011

Japan is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean.

Landforms and ClimateHome to more than 135 million people.Japan experiences frequent ___________,

_________, and typhoons.

The Japanese make the most out of their limited land by employing intensive farming techniques.

The Japanese have limited natural _____________ so they are ____________ on other countries for t________.

People of JapanJapan is a h________________ society.

The Japanese have a sense of specialness, which has led people to embrace ethno________.

Japan is incredibly crowded.

List several problems associated that this crowding could bring.

Early HistoryJapan is a society of borrowers.

Who did the Japanese borrow the most from?

Why did the Japanese reject the merit system and concept of the Mandate of Heaven?

Emperor ruled society authoritatively.1192 the emperor gives Minamoto Yoritomo

the title of _____________, or chief general of the army.

1600 C.E. the Tokugawa shogunate is established and the emperor is formerly removed from power.

Japan and IsolationWhy does the shogun order Japan to enter

into isolation in 1639?

What are some advantages of going into isolation?

What are some disadvantages of going into isolation?

End of IsolationWho ends Japan’s 200 year plus period of

isolation?

Meiji RestorationThe shogunate is dismantled and the emperor

is restored to power.Effort to modernize so the Japanese can expel

the barbarians. How was this modernization completed?

Political modernizations ConstitutionEqual protection under the lawRepresentative assembly is created (Diet).

Economic Reforms Bring in foreign capital improve ports, built weapons factories, etc.

Social Reforms Mandatory education Increased suffrage Samurai lose status in society.

Japan Becomes a Regional Power1895: Japan wins the Sino-Japanese War

Gained Taiwan and Korea

1904-5 Japan wins the Russo-Japanese WarForces Russia out of the regionGains part of Manchuria

Japan gains a lot of natural resources

1920sNationalism begins to take hold in JapanBusiness owners favor increasing militarism

1929 Great Depression hits the world.Japan’s exports fell by 50%Trade declinedFactories closed Unemployment rose.

1930sMilitary coup d'état (1931) Japan seizes

Manchuria

Japan increases its military capacity.

1937: Japan launches a major offensive into China killing millions in the process

1940s1940: Japan joins the Axis Alliance with Nazi

Germany and Fascist Italy.Japan seizes several of the Allied Forces colonial

possessions in the Pacific7 December 1941, what happens ___________

6 August 1945 the U.S. bombs Hiroshima9 August 1945 the U.S. bombs Nagasaki14 August 1945 Imperial Japan surrenders

unconditionally and for the 1st time in history was occupied by foreign forces

Hiroshima after the bomb

Nagasaki before and after

Government and SocietyU.S. and its allies will begin to demilitarize

Japan starting in 1945.General D. MacArthur will be selected to lead

the rebuilding process.1947 a new constitution is drafted. emperor

lost all of his power the Diet’s power greatly increased.

Universal equality is granted.The constitution made it illegal for Japan to

wage war.1952 the occupation ends.

Changing Social Patterns The head of the household no longer had

legal authority over other family members.Arranged marriages are now _________

common.Today, about 75 to 80% of the Japanese ppl.

live in cities.Most families have shifted to a (extended, or

nuclear) model.Women now also work long hrs. too.

Changing Social PatternsWhat doesn’t change?

Family still remains at the center of Japanese life.

Children still learn basic values discipline, respect, hard work ,harmony, and loyalty.

Role of WomenTraditional attitudes remain strong (what do I

mean?)Women have a harder time advancingWomen are often paid much less than menWomen make up almost half of Japan’s

workforceAn increasing number of women are

attending universities.

EducationJukus special cram school that help to

prepare students for entrance exams.If you do well on the entrance exams You

will get into a prestigious university.Getting a degree from a top university like

Tokyo University – is a key to success in business and govt.

Economic GrowthThe Korean War helped to jumpstart Japan’s

economy.During the 1950 and 60s most factories and

infrastructure is rebuilt with modern technology.

Japan quickly becomes the premier economic power in the region.

Japan currently focuses on high-tech industries.

Typically, they will take an existing idea and make it more efficient and cheaper.

List of some successful Japanese companiesToyotaHondaNissan SonyCanonMistubishi

Challenges Moving ForwardIndustrial growth has brought air, water, and

noise pollution.

Severe overcrowding

Labor shortage aging population and low birth rates.