The Human Geography The Human Geography of Japanof Japan

By By Kieran McLaughlin, M.S. Ed.Kieran McLaughlin, M.S. Ed.

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography Land area – 145,882 square miles, Land area – 145,882 square miles,

smaller than Montanasmaller than Montana Four Main Islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Four Main Islands: Hokkaido, Honshu,

Kyushu, and ShikokuKyushu, and Shikoku Japan is mostly mountainous and the Japan is mostly mountainous and the

cities are located on the coastcities are located on the coast Mount Fuji is the highest point – Mount Fuji is the highest point –

elevation 12,388 ft.elevation 12,388 ft. Mild earthquakes are common and Mild earthquakes are common and

severe earthquakes occur every few severe earthquakes occur every few yearsyears

The Japanese experience all four The Japanese experience all four seasons.seasons.

The Location of Tokyo - The Location of Tokyo - 35 40 N 139 35 40 N 139 45 E 45 E

• Located at the same latitude as Located at the same latitude as MilwaukeeMilwaukee

Northern Japan has very cold winters Northern Japan has very cold winters and the climate of southern Japan is and the climate of southern Japan is more tropicalmore tropical

Image: Image: http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Political-Science/17-486Spring-2008/BC1BA251-9F76-442A-99D8-B473885195F5/0/chp_japan.jpg

Historical Geography Known as the land of the rising

sun Has a line of Emperors to the

present From 12th to late 19th Century

Shoguns had control Shoguns expelled all foreigners in

17th century, opted for strict isolation

In 1853, US Naval Officer Perry sailed into Tokyo and demanded a Treaty

Became a regional power through victories against Chine (1895) and Russia (1905)

After WWII US occupied Japan from 1945-1952

Image (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/ja-lgflag.gif

Historical Geography Cont… Japan adopted a new

US influenced constitution• Renouncing war,

granting basic human rights, and declaring Japan a democracy

The US and Japan still maintain close political and military ties

Population GeographyPopulation Geography(Japan compared to the USA)(Japan compared to the USA)

Population: 127,288,416 Population: 127,288,416 (rank=10)(rank=10)

Human Dev. Index rank: 8 Human Dev. Index rank: 8 of 177 countriesof 177 countries

Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita: $31,267$31,267

Adult literacy rate: 99% Adult literacy rate: 99% (male); 99% (female)(male); 99% (female)

Life expectancy: 79 (male); Life expectancy: 79 (male); 86 (female)86 (female)

Infant mortality rate: 3 per Infant mortality rate: 3 per 1,000 births1,000 births

Population: 303,824,640 Population: 303,824,640 (rank=3)(rank=3)

Human Dev. Index rank: 12 Human Dev. Index rank: 12 of 177 countriesof 177 countries

Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita: $41,890$41,890

Adult literacy rate: 99% Adult literacy rate: 99% (male); 99% (female)(male); 99% (female)

Life expectancy: 75 (male); Life expectancy: 75 (male); 80 (female)80 (female)

Infant mortality rate: 6 per Infant mortality rate: 6 per 1,000 births1,000 births

Population Geo. Cont…Population Geo. Cont… Japan is in stage four of the Japan is in stage four of the

Demographic Transition ModelDemographic Transition Model Japan’s population is declining .14% Japan’s population is declining .14%

annually. This is a major concern.annually. This is a major concern. 70% of people live in urban areas70% of people live in urban areas About %50 live in three major urban About %50 live in three major urban

areas: Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka.areas: Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka.• As a result, the cost of living is As a result, the cost of living is

high and housing is expensivehigh and housing is expensive Japan is 98.5 percent ethnic JapaneseJapan is 98.5 percent ethnic Japanese Immigration is very limited and push Immigration is very limited and push

factors rarely exist to cause Japanese factors rarely exist to cause Japanese to emigrateto emigrate

The Ainu, an indigenous group, live The Ainu, an indigenous group, live mostly in Hokkaidomostly in Hokkaido

Cultural GeographyCultural Geography Japanese society is group oriented.Japanese society is group oriented. Loyalty to the group and superiors Loyalty to the group and superiors

takes precedent over personal feelingtakes precedent over personal feeling The Japanese feel an obligation to The Japanese feel an obligation to

return favors and gifts return favors and gifts Imuyage.Imuyage. The following characteristics are The following characteristics are

admired in Japanese society: honor, admired in Japanese society: honor, patience, respect and politeness is patience, respect and politeness is extremely importantextremely important

Uniformity in appearance is a Japanese Uniformity in appearance is a Japanese characteristiccharacteristic

• Businessmen wearing black pants, a white shirt, Businessmen wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a tie are very commonand a tie are very common

• Women wear dresses or slacksWomen wear dresses or slacks• In general students wear uniforms to schoolIn general students wear uniforms to school

Outside of school, youth wear the Outside of school, youth wear the latest American and European fashionslatest American and European fashions

Traditional Japanese clothing such as Traditional Japanese clothing such as kimonoskimonos and and yukatasyukatas are worn for are worn for special occasions and at special occasions and at onsensonsens

Cultural Geography Cont…Cultural Geography Cont… GreetingsGreetings

• Bowing is the traditional Bowing is the traditional Japanese greetingJapanese greeting

• Lower bows = more Lower bows = more reverencereverence

• Japanese will generally prefer Japanese will generally prefer shaking hands with shaking hands with WesternersWesterners

Last names including Last names including san san are are utilized for first namesutilized for first names

The use of first names is reserved The use of first names is reserved for family and friendsfor family and friends

Exchanging business cares is very Exchanging business cares is very common, cards are offered and common, cards are offered and accepted with both hands.accepted with both hands.• You must also read the card in the You must also read the card in the

person’s presence or it is person’s presence or it is considered a sign of disrespectconsidered a sign of disrespect

Cultural Geo. Cont… Family LifeFamily Life

• Family is the foundation of Japanese Family is the foundation of Japanese societysociety

• A children’s actions is a reflection on the A children’s actions is a reflection on the familyfamily

• Traditionally the father is the head of Traditionally the father is the head of the household and the mother is the the household and the mother is the head of the householdhead of the household

Today women are nearly 50% of Today women are nearly 50% of the workforcethe workforce

• Divorce and single parenthood are rare Divorce and single parenthood are rare compared to other countries. Spousal compared to other countries. Spousal compatibility and spending time compatibility and spending time together are less important than in together are less important than in other culturesother cultures

• Families generally have fewer than Families generally have fewer than three childrenthree children

Picture of me and my host family at dinner. Picture of me and my host family at dinner. Both parents worked at Canon since they Both parents worked at Canon since they were eighteen. Most of the baby boom were eighteen. Most of the baby boom generation did not attend college and generation did not attend college and entered directly into the workforceentered directly into the workforce

Cultural Geography Cont… (Pictures of my Host Family)

Cultural Geography Cont…Cultural Geography Cont… Visiting a Japanese HomeVisiting a Japanese Home

• One would remove shoes before One would remove shoes before stepping into a homestepping into a home

• Slippers are often worn inside, but not in Slippers are often worn inside, but not in rooms with rooms with tatamitatami mats mats

• Guests are usually offered the most Guests are usually offered the most comfortable seat and sleeping comfortable seat and sleeping arrangementsarrangements

• During my home stay, I slept in my host During my home stay, I slept in my host parent’s bedroomparent’s bedroom

• It is very important to provide a gifts for It is very important to provide a gifts for the families you are staying with. Many the families you are staying with. Many times they will not open it while you are times they will not open it while you are in the room.in the room.

• Food is the most common giftFood is the most common gift• Japanese commonly bath and change Japanese commonly bath and change

into pajamas before they have dinnerinto pajamas before they have dinner Japanese style bathrooms include Japanese style bathrooms include

a bathing room with a stool and a a bathing room with a stool and a toilet located in another room next toilet located in another room next doordoor

The toilets are generally washlets The toilets are generally washlets made by Totomade by Toto

Toto WashletToto Washlet

Image: www.toto.com

Cultural Geography Cont…Cultural Geography Cont… Dining HabitatsDining Habitats

• It is considered bad manners to eat It is considered bad manners to eat while walking in publicwhile walking in public

• People eat at street stands rather than People eat at street stands rather than walkwalk

• A bowl is traditionally held at chest A bowl is traditionally held at chest levellevel

• It is not polite to drink soup directly It is not polite to drink soup directly from a bowlfrom a bowl

• Chopsticks are traditionally used, Chopsticks are traditionally used, utensils are used for western mealsutensils are used for western meals

• The main meal is eaten in the eveningThe main meal is eaten in the evening FoodFood

• The diet consists largely of rice, fresh The diet consists largely of rice, fresh vegetables, seafood, fruit, and small vegetables, seafood, fruit, and small portions of meatportions of meat

• Sake and soy sauceSake and soy sauce• Tea is usually part of every mealTea is usually part of every meal• Fast food is becoming increasingly Fast food is becoming increasingly

popular (Starbucks, McDonalds, popular (Starbucks, McDonalds, Wendy’s, and KFC)Wendy’s, and KFC)

• Common Japanese food: miso soup, Common Japanese food: miso soup, noodles, sashimi, tofu, and pork.noodles, sashimi, tofu, and pork.

Cultural Geography Cont…Cultural Geography Cont… Entertainment and LeisureEntertainment and Leisure

• BaseballBaseball Dates back to 1934, the Dates back to 1934, the

current league of 12 current league of 12 teams was established in teams was established in 19581958

The The YomuriYomuri (Tokyo) Giants (Tokyo) Giants are the Japanese are the Japanese equivalent of the NY equivalent of the NY YankeesYankees

• RyokanRyokan Traditional Japanese Inn Traditional Japanese Inn

centered around hot centered around hot springssprings

Guests wear Guests wear YukatasYukatas, eat , eat traditional food, and traditional food, and participate in communal participate in communal bathingbathing

Cultural Geography Cont…• MusicMusic

Japan Pop, Hip Hop, Japan Pop, Hip Hop, and Jazz are popularand Jazz are popular

American artists like American artists like Michael Jackson are Michael Jackson are also popularalso popular

It is often common It is often common to see Traditional to see Traditional Japanese folk Japanese folk instruments paired instruments paired with popular rock with popular rock instrumentsinstruments

Cultural Geography Cont… Education

• Largely influenced by the US occupation during 1945 - 1952

• Mandatory and generally free from age six to fiftteen

• Math and Science are stressed in the curriculum

• Students often attend private schools if they pass difficult exams during kindergarten

Universities are also associated with elementary, middle and high schools

• High School students often attend night school (juku) on weeknights and weekends to study for college entrance exams

Students stop playing school sports sophomore year to study for entrance exams

Students study for years and cram for months for the exams

Admittance and graduating from the top schools usually insures gaining a well paying job

Cultural Geography Cont… (Language)

Official language is Japanese Written characters are related

to Chinese Hiragana and Katakana are

the two common phonetic alphabets

Romaji uses Roman letters used for keyboards

It can be written vertically from right to left or horizontally from left to right

English is taught in all secondary schools and is also used in business

Common Greetings• Ohayu – Hello• Konichiwa – Good Day• Konbanwa – Good Evening

Cultural Geography Cont.. (Religion)

Most Japanese practice a combination of Shintoism and Buddhism

Shinto is based on ancient mythology• Stresses relationship to nature

and many gods• Hands are washed at Shrines

as a cleansing ritual Many households observe

Shinto marriages and Buddhist funerals

Shinto Shrines in homes are common• Mostly for respect of religious

tradition rather than veneration

One percent is Christian

Cultural Geography Cont… (Religion)

Youth Culture The “i” generation is fully

engaged in Japanese culture The high school students I

met were not familiar with American athletes or music, other than Michael Jackson• Learning English was not a

priority for most students. My host parents actually spoke better English than their children

The Baby Boom generation admired the prosperity of the USA while the i generation admires the prosperity of Japan

Economic GeographyEconomic Geography Japan has one of the world's Japan has one of the world's

largest economies even though it largest economies even though it has few natural resources and has few natural resources and must import most raw materials. must import most raw materials.

Japanese companies are listed on Japanese companies are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)

Japanese weddings can be Japanese weddings can be elaborate and expensive. elaborate and expensive. Marriage ceremonies usually take Marriage ceremonies usually take place in hotels. place in hotels.

Largest economies event though Largest economies event though it is a physically small countryit is a physically small country

12 percent of the land is suitable 12 percent of the land is suitable for cultivationfor cultivation

Japan imports about half of its Japan imports about half of its food supplyfood supply

Major local crops: fruit, tea, Major local crops: fruit, tea, vegetables and ricevegetables and rice

Economic Geography Cont… Japan is the leading exporter of Japan is the leading exporter of

fishfish Exports include: electronic Exports include: electronic

equipment, televisions, and equipment, televisions, and automobilesautomobiles

Well known manufactures are: Well known manufactures are: Mitsubishi, Toyota, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Toshiba, Honda, and SonyHonda, and Sony

Toyota surpassed GM as the Toyota surpassed GM as the world’s largest automaker in 2009 world’s largest automaker in 2009 – “Toyota reported 8.97 million – “Toyota reported 8.97 million sales in 2008, roughly 616,000 sales in 2008, roughly 616,000 more than GM's 8.36 million more than GM's 8.36 million units” (Truck Trend)units” (Truck Trend)

Japan’s biggest trading partner is Japan’s biggest trading partner is the US – Cultural Diffusion occurs the US – Cultural Diffusion occurs with limited barrierswith limited barriers

Their currency is the yen – one Their currency is the yen – one dollar is currently worth dollar is currently worth 90.9865 90.9865 JPYJPY

Economic Geography Cont…

Tourism• 6.1 million foreigners visited Japan in 2004• 16.8 million Japanese traveled overseas (est.)• Tourism revenues = $11.3 billion (2005)• Popular Destinations

Mt. Fuji, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and Nikko National Park, and Okinawa

Hokkaido – has excellent skiing in Northern Japan

Economic Geography Cont… (Tourism)

Mt. Fuji at almost 13,000 ft. is a very popular tourist destination• It can be climbed from

station 5 (6000 ft) in a total of 8-9 hours roundtrip

• Most people opt to reserve a space on one of the huts located on the route. Most people awake at 3 am to hike the summit for Sunrise

Mt. Fuji (A closer look)

Economic Geo Cont… (View from Fuji San)

Economic Geo Cont… (View from Fuji San)

Economic Geo Cont… (View from Fuji San)

Economic Geo Cont… (View from Fuji San)

Economic Geography Cont… (Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji)

Economic Geography Cont… (Kegon Falls)

Urban GeographyUrban Geography Highly efficient mass Highly efficient mass

transportation system: mainly transportation system: mainly trains, subways, and busestrains, subways, and buses

Tokyo has many regional Tokyo has many regional cities within Tokyo: Shibuya, cities within Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc.Shinjuku, etc.

Cities are generally clean and Cities are generally clean and well managedwell managed• Public smoking is illegal in Public smoking is illegal in

publicpublic• Subways are very cleanSubways are very clean• Sidewalks have arrows to Sidewalks have arrows to

direct foot trafficdirect foot traffic• Cars rarely honkCars rarely honk• Taxis are very clean and Taxis are very clean and

you are only charged a you are only charged a fare when it movesfare when it moves Tokyo Subway MapTokyo Subway Map

Image: http://www.bento.com/pix/tokyosubway2008.jpgImage: http://www.bento.com/pix/tokyosubway2008.jpg

Urban Geography Cont… TokyoTokyo

• Includes the Meiji Includes the Meiji Emperors Imperial Emperors Imperial PalacePalace

• The relocation of the The relocation of the Emperors palace for Emperors palace for Kyoto to Tokyo (East of Kyoto to Tokyo (East of Kyoto) is an excellent Kyoto) is an excellent example of example of interregional migrationinterregional migration

• Large number of Large number of skyscrapersskyscrapers

• Two Baseball StadiumsTwo Baseball Stadiums• Many museumsMany museums

Urban Geography Cont… Urban Geography Cont… (LaLaPort Tokyo Bay)(LaLaPort Tokyo Bay)

LaLaPortLaLaPort Tokyo Bay is the first Tokyo Bay is the first mall built in Japan. La Port is a mall built in Japan. La Port is a god example of a Brownfield that god example of a Brownfield that was redeveloped. It includes was redeveloped. It includes shopping, restaurants, condos, shopping, restaurants, condos, and a museum.and a museum.

Shopping mostly takes place near Shopping mostly takes place near the home or at sections of the the home or at sections of the city, which sell a particular good.city, which sell a particular good.

A naval yard once existed at the A naval yard once existed at the site and it was redeveloped for site and it was redeveloped for mixed use. Also it was the area mixed use. Also it was the area planned to host the Olympics in planned to host the Olympics in Japan was awarded the most Japan was awarded the most recent bidrecent bid

The metropolitan are of Tokyo is The metropolitan are of Tokyo is 837 square miles, the population 837 square miles, the population is 32 million about 1/10 of the is 32 million about 1/10 of the total pop. total pop.

Image: http://toyosu.lalaport.jp/english/index.shtml

Urban Geography Cont.. ShinkansenShinkansen

• Bullet Trains- provide Bullet Trains- provide quick and comfortable quick and comfortable travel between major travel between major cities. Speed reach almost cities. Speed reach almost 200 mph.200 mph.

• The rail system provides The rail system provides access to all of Japanaccess to all of Japan

• Traveling on a Bullet Train Traveling on a Bullet Train is extremely comfortable. is extremely comfortable. Bathrooms and food is Bathrooms and food is availableavailable

• A rail pass purchased in A rail pass purchased in the US will provide you the US will provide you with unlimited with unlimited transportation on JR Rail transportation on JR Rail lines for about $300 per lines for about $300 per weekweek

Works CitedWorks Cited Currency Calculator. Web. 20 Oct 2009.

<http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html>. "Japan." "Japan." CultureGrams Online EditionCultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2009. Web. 29 Oct 2009.. ProQuest, 2009. Web. 29 Oct 2009. "Japan." Funk & Wagnalls. Web. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=funk&AN=JA009600&site=ehost-live>. Japan At A Glance. Tokyo: Kondansha International, 2001. Print. "Team and League Information." Japan Ball. Web. 20 Oct 2009.

<http://www.japanball.com/teams.htm>. LaLaPort Tokyo Bay. Web. 20 Oct 2009.

<http://tokyobay.lalaport.net/lala_eng/>. Skiing Hokaido. Web. 20 Oct 2009.

<http://www.skiing-hokkaido.com/resort/index.html>. All images were taken by Kieran McLaughlin unless otherwise noted