JapanJapan

Japan A series of islands off the coast of Korean PeninsulaBordered by Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan

Early History

1192-1868:Samurai, or warrior clans, become powerful. Although Japan has an emperor, shoguns (military dictators) rule.

1274, 1281: Kublai Khan's Mongol invasions are repelled with help of kamikaze ("divine winds," or storms).

1853:U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrives with naval ships and demands the Japanese trade with the United States.

1895-1905:Japan wins wars against China and Russia, gaining territory and international respect.

1910Japan takes over Korea.

Where is Japan located in regards to the Ring of Fire? What type of natural disasters might Japan experience?

Natural disasters

1707eruption of Mt. Fuji

1923:The Great Kanto Earthquake, one of the worst in world history, destroys Tokyo and Yokohama. More than 140,000 people are killed.

Look at how many major earthquakes Japan has experienced in the last 50 years!

Emperor Hirohito

Lead Japan into WWIIDec. 7, 1941 – bombs Pearl

HarborSurrendered at end of WWIIHelped MacArthur rebuild

Japan

The End of WWII

Japan surrendered – August 1945Occupied Japan – 1945 - 1952

Gen. Douglas MacArthur – oversaw occupation Goals of Allies concerning Japan

Help create a democracy (modeled after US Constitution) Kept national legislature – Diet Allowed Emperor Hirohito to maintain his position IF he

renounced that emperors were not divinely appointed and godlike Suspended laws limiting liberties … religious, political, and civil …

included giving women the right to vote Reformed industries, education

Conditions for ending occupation Responsible government established

Had to renounce the

fact that emperors had

divine appointment and godlike qualities.When this

picture published,

many Japanese would not look at it .. seeing their beloved

emperor shorter than

the hated MacArthur

Rebuilding the economy after WWII

US also aided in rebuilding the economy Gave large sums of money via loans Shared manufacturing knowledge Provided resources for industries

Japan Today

GovernmentEmperor

Symbolic only - no government powers Few duties – closely regulated by Constitution

and only on the advice and consent of the Cabinet

Parliamentary government Executive power

Cabinet Prime minister

Bicameral Diet (Japan’s bicameral legislature)

Limited Resources

73% of Japan is mountainousOnly 15% of Japan’s land is arable

(suitable for farming)

Therefore … what might this lead to?

Trade!

EconomyJapan’s economy is one of the strongest in the

world!Free market economy is 2nd largest in the world Major exports

Cars, electronic devices, computersMajor imports

Oil, foodstuffs, woodMajor trading partners

US major trading partner – imports more than 25% of Japan’s exports!

Interdependence

Japan dependent on others …

Minerals essential to industry … iron ore and copper Forest products (wood)Agricultural products (largest foreign market for US agricultural products!)

Others dependent on Japan …

Electronic devicesComputersCars

Which Asian country consists of a series of islands and is located east of North and South

Korea?

A. JapanB. TaiwanC. IndonesiaD. Philippines

Answer … Japan

After WWII, the US helped Japan rebuild its economy in all the following ways

EXCEPT by

A. sharing its manufacturing knowledge.B. providing large sums of money through

loans.C. requiring Japan to export goods only to

Western nations.D. providing much needed resources for their

industries.

Answer … requiring Japan to export goods only to Western nations

Before late 19th century, Japan was an isolated nation. Which of the following is the main reason Japan

became involved in the world community?

A. The government needed foreign military intervention to stop a civil war.

B. Religious leaders instructed the emperor to become Christian and westernize.

C. The government became communist and established ties with the Soviet Union.

D. Limited resources forced Japan's growing population to seek foreign markets.

Answer … limited resources forced Japan’s growing population to seek foreign markets.

Which phrase best describes the nation of Japan?

A. an island nation with large citiesB. a peninsula of the Asian mainlandC. a tropical nation that receives much

rainfallD. a mountainous nation with many mineral

resources

Answer … an island nation with large cities

How did Japan become the most industrialized country in Asia?

A. It became the main manufacturer for Africa.

B. It heavily exploited its many natural resources.

C. It imported technologies and natural resources.

D. It developed a large and profitable trade with China.

Answer … it imported technologies and natural resources

What is the role of the emperor in modern Japan?

A. elected leaderB. symbolic leaderC. military leaderD. economic leader

Answer … symbolic leader

Since the end of WWII, in which way has seas and oceans most benefited Japan’s

economy?

A. by providing transportation routesB. by providing a source for electricityC. by providing a source of valuable mineralsD. by providing water for desalinization

Answer … by providing transportation routes

All of the following statements about the constitution Japan adopted after WWII are true

except that it

A. created a democratic form of government.B. abolished the position of emperor.C. renounced the use of force in foreign

policy.D. was modeled on the United States

Constitution.

Answer … abolished the position of the emperor.

Which of the following are important Japanese exports?

A. tea, coffee, and fishB. wheat, cloth, and leather goodsC. petroleum, iron ore, and mineralsD. microchips, automobiles, and

electronics

Answer … microchips, cars, electronics

Which term describes Japan’s government today?

A. democraticB. dictatorshipC. socialist republicD. constitutional monarchy

Answer … democratic