Japan
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February 06, 2018
Name January 29, 2018St. Agnes 32 Japan
Aim: Discuss Japan's geography.
1) Japan is an island country in Asia. It is made up of several thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean.
2) Japan has four main islands:
*Honshu (largest) Tokyo, the capital is located there
* Hokkaido (north of Honshu)
* Shikoku (south of Honshu) smallest
main island
* Kyushu (south of Honshu)
3) The Sea of Japan is to the west of Japan.
4) The Inland Sea lies between Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu.The sea has provided a water link, or highway between the islands.
5) A large group of islands iscalled an archipelago.
Japan
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Discuss weather Japan experiences.
6) Northern islands very cold and snowy during the winter. Central and Southern islands hot summers, mild winters, steady rainfall throughout the year.
7) Japan is sometimes hit by typhoons. A typhoon is a storm with strong winds and a lot of rain (could occur in September).
8) Japan has two main rainy seasons June and September. During these rainy seasons, it is humid and good for growing things, especially rice
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February 06, 2018
9) One natural feature of Japan is its jagged coastline. There are hundreds of small and large bays and little peninsulas. The bays provide good harbors for ships and trading.
10) Another natural feature is its volcanic mountains.The most famous is Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan (active last erupted in 1707).
Aim: Explore Japan's different natural features.
11)These mountains cause problems for the Japanese because they take up much space, so little land is left to live on and farm.
12) To increase farmland, they cut back or terracethe hillsides. They look like giant stairsteps. (terracing).
13) Another natural feature is its hot springs, which are located near the mountains. People go to the springs for medical treatment.
14)Many powerful rivers rush down the mountains and are used to irrigate the farm crops.
15) An earthquake is the sudden shifting of part of the earth's surface. An earthquake occurs when the tectonic plates (under the Earth shift).
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Discuss ancient Japan.
16) Japan was isolated for hundreds of years before it began trading with foreign countries.
17) The Chinese civilization was much older than the Japanese. As a result, Japan borrowed many ideas from the Chinese.
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Identify ideas borrowed from China.
1) Religion Buddhism and Confucianism were two important religions in China both are systematic belief systems both had an important influence on Japanese culture Around 1% of Japans population is Christian. St. Miki is a Catholic Saint born in Japan St. Francis Xavier helped bring Catholicism to Japan.
2) Language & Written Language The Japanese had no written language when they first had contact with China. Japan adopted the Chinese writing system.
3) Architecture
classical Chinese architecture similar style and structure of buildings buildings are usually less than 3 stories buildings illustrate symmetry (balance) Zen Gardens
4) Agriculture rice paddies (rice farming) terracing of mountains practice originated in China and Korea
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Identify religion practiced in Japan.
18) Shinto is the 1st religion of Japan believes nature is sacred, “the way of the gods."
19) Buddhism people follow the teachings of a man named Buddha. He is worshipped like a 'god' takes care of the dying and dead
20) Christianity – about 1% of the Japanese are Christians. St. Francis Xavier was a Christian missionary who came to Japan in 1594.
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Discuss school life on Japan.
21) School Life in Japan
children start first grade in April when they are 6 years old
an elementary class will have 3040 students in it
students attend school MondayFriday and every other Saturday
they also go to a special school, called Juku, 2 times a week
students wear uniforms to school
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Discuss home life in Japan.
22)Home Life in Japan
In urban areas, most families live in apartment buildings.
In the suburbs, families live in traditional Japanese homes.
They sleep on futons because they take up less
space.
23) Tatami are thick straw mats which line the floors of traditional Japanese homes. These mats keep the floor cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Recognize differences of government in Japan and the U.S.
24) Japan calls their country Nippon, which is a Chinese phrase meaning "Land of the Rising Sun."
25) Government of Japan:
Became a democracy after World War II
Prime Minister is the leader of the government.
The emperor is a symbol of the nation attends ceremonies.
Citizens vote for a political party to lead country.
The Diet makes up Japan's laws (made up of 2 houses).
Japan has a constitution (written set of rules and laws). The Supreme Court is the highest court. (15 judges)
Governors rule each prefecture (similar to U.S. states).
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February 06, 2018
Aim: Discuss Japan's economy.
26) Today, Japan's economy is strong. Their currency (money) is Yen.
27) Japan became an industrial country about 100 years ago. They lead the world in making cars, electronics, computers, etc.
They export (sell) these devices to other countries.
Japan imports (take in) raw materials such as iron ore, copper, cotton, wool, lumber, and oil.