Do Now: What is a dynasty? Why isn’t Taiwan

recognized as a country?

Kamikaze-a Japanese aircraft

loaded with explosives and

making a deliberate suicidal crash

on an enemy target.

Capsule hotel- type

of hotel developed in Japan that

features a large number of

extremely small "rooms”

intended to provide cheap, basic

overnight accommodation

Objective: Outline the countries and territories that are included in East Asia.

Describe the main physical features and climate types of each country. Understand the nonsense between physical geography and human populations in East Asia.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018Physical Geography of Japan

Interactive #1

Physical Geography of Japan

Land of the Rising Sun• Although there are 6,800 islands in its archipelago. Japan consists of four

main islands: Hokkaidō, Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū.• The islands of Japan formed during the last 15 to 20 million years. The

islands have tall mountains originating from volcanic activity. • The largest island is Honshu, which is considered the Japanese

mainland.

Physical Geography of Japan

Landforms• Japan’s location in the Ring of Fire causes some 50 Japanese volcanoes to

remain active and frequent earthquakes. Japan’s tallest peak, Mount Fuji, is a volcano not currently active.

• When a powerful undersea earthquake occurs nearby, a major tsunami, or huge wave, can form. Tsunamis can travel more than 250 miles per hour and be more than 30 feet high.

• In 2011 an earthquake off the coast of Honshū rocked the island and launched a series of tsunamis that flooded the coastline in massive waves.

Interactive #2

Water Systems• Japan has short, swift rivers that flow from the mountains and plunge

over cliffs, often as stunning waterfalls. Japanese rivers cross alluvialplains before emptying into the sea.

• Japan’s longest rivers, the Shinano and the Tone, flow from mountain heights on Honshū and can be very destructive when they flood.

• Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, is in the central part of Honshū. It was created from a depression along a fault.

Physical Geography of Japan

Climate Regions and Biomes• Overall, Japan has a mild climate with abundant rainfall. The northern

latitudes experience a humid continental climate, while further south is a humid, subtropical climate.

• Tropical storms called typhoons, similar to hurricanes, generally occur in late summer, forming over warm tropical waters.

• Most of Japan is forested, and large land mammals and birds still thrive in isolated mountain regions. The Japanese macaque, a kind of wild monkey, also dwells as far north as Honshū.

Physical Geography of Japan

Resources• As an island nation, Japan relies heavily on the sea for food, but is also

a leading rice producer. • Japan is a world leader in harvesting and importing fish. The country

consumes some 7.5 billion tons of fish annually, which amounts to nearly 15 percent of the world’s catch.

• Ocean pollution and overfishing, however, have jeopardized the fisheries on which Japan depends. Such overfishing has seriously depleted marine life.

Physical Geography of Japan

Special Areas of Japan• Aokigahara, also known as the Suicide Forest or Sea of Trees, is a 35-

square-kilometer forest that lies at Mount Fuji's northwest base in Japan.• The forest is reportedly the most popular site for suicide in Japan and

among the top three most popular sites for suicide in the world.• The forest has a historic association with "yūrei" or ghosts of the dead in

Japanese mythology

Physical Geography of Japan

Special Areas of Japan• Due to the vastness of the forest, desperate visitors are unlikely to

encounter anyone once inside the so-called “Sea of Trees,” so the police have mounted signs reading “Your life is a precious gift from your parents”

• Annually about 70 corpses are found by volunteers who clean the woods, but many are forever lost in the very thick woods.

Physical Geography of Japan

Physical Geography of Japan

Flag Information• 1356 Mongols attempted to invade Japan with an invasion force of about

200,000 strong• The Japanese found themselves fighting off repeated invasions by the

Mongols, whose naval technology and weaponry were far superior. The Japanese army was outnumbered 4-1.

• Their lucky break came in the form of a typhoon that completely ravaged the invading Mongol forces, and ultimately saved Japan from being seized.