Japan
EQ: How has Japan’s geography affected it both
positively and negatively? What was its early society
like?
Japan is one of the
world’s richest nations.
We fought against Japan in World War II,
but now they are one of our closest allies.
China and Japan are not the
same!
Cultural Focus
Every culture has something they
find very important:
Japan
China
Chinese called the island
“Nippon” - Land of the rising sun
Size and Population
Slightly smaller in size than
California.
CA population: 35 million
JP population: 127 million
The Land
Made up of many islands
with 4 main ones.
Very mountainous. Only
about 20% of the land can
be used for farming .
Lots of
earthquakes and
volcanoes.
What would you do?
1) Problem: Only 20% of the land is open for
farming.
2) Problem: Animals use more land to raise
than vegetables.
3) Problem: Meat provides protein, a
necessary nutrient.
The Sea
Japan relied on the sea for food. Their main
food is rice and fish.
Early Japanese Society
Society was organized
around large and
powerful clans
In the 400s, the Yamato clan became the most
powerful clan. Japan’s first emperors come from
this clan
Prince Shotoku
He wanted more
power for himself
like the Chinese
emperor. This made
the people angry.
Made his people follow
Buddhism. Brought in
workers, artists, and scholars
from China to teach his
people.
Japan
EQ: How has Japan’s geography affected it both
positively and negatively? What was its early society
like?