1. What kind of tectonic activity does Japan experience?

2. Why do they experience these types of activity?

3. Why does Japan have very little arable land?

4. How have the Japanese adapted to a small percentage of arable land?

5. How have homes been adapted in Japan?6. How can the Japanese culture be

described?7. What three religions dominate in Japan?8. How have the Japanese tried to reduce

pollution of the environment?

Japan“Land of the Rising Sun”

Physical CharacteristicsArchipelago the size of California

4 large islands, 3,900 small islands

Ring of FireVolcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis

TyphoonsTemperate climateMountainous

Little arable land (10-15%)

Land UseBuild up and underground

Building land in deltas and wetlands

Terracing

Population Density

One of the highest population densities in the world7,219 people per square mile

Apartments smaller than typical American family room (video)

Multiple use rooms, futonsTiny appliancesBonsai treesCremated after death Capsule hotels

Housing

Transportation

Average commute 90 minutes in Tokyo

Extensive and efficient public transportation system

Pushers (video)

Bullet trainsTraffic jamsParking

Japanese Culture

Homogenous

Middle ClassHighly educated

Crowded urban areas

Religious InfluencesSecular livesShintoism

Worship forces of nature and spirits of ancestors,Alters in homes, prayers and sacrifices

BuddhismSpiritual enlightenment, live selflessly and

modestlyConfucianism

Respect wisdom of authority, importance of common good

Health

Pollution, Acid RainMasks

Strict environmental lawsGarbage, Recycling