The Land of the Rising Sun: Features of Japan's Geographical Location and Economy

This island state, washed by the Pacific Ocean and seas, was isolated for a long time. The geographical location of Japan greatly influenced the economic, political and cultural processes within the country. An interesting fact is that, having opened its borders only in the 19th century, Japan quickly joined global processes and became one of the leading countries.

Where is

Japan is located in the eastern part of Asia. From the southwest, Japan is washed by the East China Sea, which shares it with China. To the west, the Sea of ​​Japan separates Japan and Korea. In the north and northwest, the country borders the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation. The closest territories are the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin.

On the eastern side, Japan is washed by the Pacific Ocean.

There are several groups of islands belonging to it:

• Nampo,
• Izu,
• Ogasawara,
• Kazan,
• Minamitori et al.

Extreme points

Japan is a state that does not have land borders. The length of its coastline is 29.751 thousand km.

Its extreme points are located in the following places:

• North - Bantejima Island,
• South - Okinotori Atoll,
• Western - Cape Irizaki (Yonaguni Island),
• Eastern - Minamitori Island.

Square

The area of ​​the state is 377 thousand 915 square meters. km, including all the islands belonging to it.

The largest are (area thousand sq. km):

• Honshu (231.1),
• Hokkaido (83.46),
• Kyushu (42.18),
• Shikoku (18.79),
• Okinawa (2.28).

They cover 97% of the country's total area.

Population

As of 2021, the total population is 127.236 thousand people. Not surprisingly, the largest island, Honshu, is also the most densely populated, with a population density of 447 people per square kilometer. The island's population is 103 million people. The capital, Tokyo, is also located here. The next largest island, Hokkaido, has a population of 5.6 million people and a density of 64.49 people. per sq. km. The island of Kyushu shelters 12 million people on its territory, taking into account the area of ​​the island, it is also densely populated, the density is 371. On Shikoku, the density is 220 people. per sq. km.

This shows that the population is distributed unequally throughout the country, depending on the topography of the island, distance from the capital and the presence of large cities. The country has a high level of urbanization. In this regard, the average population density is 334 people.

Japan's participation in international organizations

The country, having a peaceful constitution, makes its contribution to ensuring peace and stability and the security of the international climate. After World War II, Japan refused to turn the country into a military power, and Art. Its constitution allows only self-defense forces to maintain its defense capabilities. The tragic consequences of the atomic bombings by the Americans force Japan to make efforts at various levels to ensure political and social stability not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but throughout the world. The problems of one state arising in the conditions of modern globalization and integration of all processes affect the entire modern world community.

As a member of this community, Japan promotes peace and the development of mutually beneficial ties between peoples and is a member of several international organizations:

1. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The purpose of this organization, created in 1985, is to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the peoples of the Asian region. In addition to Japan, members of the organization are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The organization's headquarters are located in Kathmandu;
2. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), of which Japan became a member in 1964. The organization unites $30$ states, mainly members of the EU. Among them are Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Also includes Australia, USA, Turkey, South Korea, etc. This organization is, first of all, a forum. Within its framework, organization participants discuss, develop, and improve economic and social policies. There is an exchange of experience, a search for ways to solve common problems, and a joint coordinated domestic and foreign policy is developed to solve problems. It must be said that in the work of the OECD, a significant part of the problems is occupied by “interdisciplinary problems” that are at the intersection of “intercountry” problems. In other words, the organization does not consider issues of economic development of individual states and does not consider specialized issues of individual areas of the economy;
3. Japan is also a member of the G8 . This group is an unofficial forum of leaders of the world's leading countries. Russia also takes part in the forum. The EU is represented and fully participates in the forum;
4. Japan has also been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since January 1995. The WTO was created with the aim of liberalizing international trade and regulating trade and political relations of its members. Member countries receive assurances that their exports to other markets will be fair and consistent. They must provide the same conditions in their own market for imported goods;
5. Japan is a member of such organizations as ADB, APEC, ART, ARF, ASEAN, IEA, IAEA, LAI, MIGA, as an observer in the OAS, UN, WMO, UNESCO and many others.

National composition

Due to the policy of restricting migration, Japan is a single-national country. This suggests that 99% of the population is Japanese.

Despite this, about 600 thousand Koreans live on the islands, many of whom were born in Japan. There is also a significant Chinese group present. Separately, small groups of the following nationalities are distinguished: Ryukians, Ainu, Eta.

Population

The basis of the positive economic and geographical characteristics of Japan is its population. The state is home to about 127 million people who belong to the first type of population reproduction. This means that the country is dominated by middle-aged and older people. Among the Japanese there is a very low birth rate. Therefore, it is natural that the percentage of natural growth here is very low - by only 2 people for every thousand, the population of Japan increases over the course of one year.

The country is predominantly one-ethnic. The Japanese, the heirs of the Ainu, occupy 99% of all its inhabitants in the country and are very reluctant to let strangers and migrants into their society. In addition, there are 127 million Buddhists in the country, and the same number of Shintoists. This is due to the fact that all Japanese profess two religions at the same time. About 80% of the country's residents live in cities. Of these, 11 are millionaire cities. For example, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and Kyoto.

Japan is known throughout the world for the efficiency and high qualifications of its workforce. The education that citizens receive is considered as another investment and very profitable sector of the economy. After all, money invested in children is returned in good taxes from the salaries of highly qualified workers.

History of development

Now Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world. But back in the early 19th century, it was a fragmented agrarian periphery, closed from external influences.

The situation changed in the mid-18th century. By this time, many Asian powers, primarily China and Korea, were already building economic relations with Western countries. Gradually, goods from Western powers begin to penetrate Japanese markets, often under pressure from the navy, since they had long been resisted. This led to a worsening of the already deplorable internal economic situation. The de facto ruler of the country - the feudal warlord, the Tokugawa shogun - was forced to raise taxes, which led to discontent among citizens. All this was the reason for the coup, called in history the Meiji Restoration. Emperor Mutsuhito abolished the shogunate and became sole ruler, bringing back the monarchy.

Foreign economic relations

Japan is forced to import fuel and all metal ores, food and animal feed.

However, the amount spent on imports is hundreds of times less than what Nippon receives from its exports. Japan sells cars, ships, office and household appliances, machine tools and many other high-tech products around the world.

Japan is also introducing high technology and investing capital in the industrial sector of neighboring countries - the Asian tigers. Therefore, Japan has a positive trade balance and the image of one of the most economically developed countries in the world.

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Economics and politics

Japan's form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The highest authority is the bicameral parliament, the State Council, consisting of the House of Representatives (lower) and the House of Councilors (upper).

It is the parliament that is:

1. An exponent of the will of the people.
2. Bearer of state sovereignty.
3. The only legislative body with the power to make laws.

The governing body of the executive branch is the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. He is the de facto head of state. The cabinet governs the state in relation to the budget and laws approved by parliament.

The Emperor is a symbol of the country and the unity of the nation. He carries out all political actions with the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Its functions mainly include:

• performing ceremonies,
• reception of foreign guests,
• publication of legislative actions of parliament,
• awarding awards, etc.

A distinctive feature of the Japanese economy is active government intervention. This made it possible to quickly recover in the 50s-60s and survive the oil crisis of the 70s. Currently, overcoming the crisis in the country's economy is seen in liberal reforms.

First of all this:

1. Privatization of the public sector.
2. Weakening regulation of financial markets.
3. Reform of the budgetary and banking sectors.
4. Easing currency regulation.

Scarce natural and mineral resources, minerals and the need to import them are compensated by a highly developed industry. This is primarily robotics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, machine tool and shipbuilding. In agriculture, due to the climate and geographical location, rice growing comes first. Fishing and seafood processing are also traditional industries. The country leads the world in fish exports. The fishing fleet makes up 15% of the world's.

The peculiarities of Japan's EGP are, first of all, the development of the fleet and fisheries, in geography - the absence of land borders, the mountainous and volcanic structure of the islands, and a humid climate.

International relationships

Since 1945, the Japanese government has legislated non-intervention in international military conflicts. Currently the situation has changed. Domestic policy reform has led to Japan participating in international military missions since the 2000s. The first was Iraq. In the future, the provision of a navy to combat terrorism in the Indian Ocean. Japan's presence in Africa and Latin America is now increasing.

High rates of economic growth allowed the country to firmly gain a foothold on the world stage as a creditor. This allowed the state to play a leading role in the global financial arena and become dominant in Asia.

Economic and geographical position of Japan 11th grade

Open lesson in 11th grade
Lesson-dialogue. Lesson topic: Japan: territory, borders, population and natural resources. Lesson objectives:

• to acquaint students with the special features of the EGP, the problems of using the territory, natural and raw materials, the national composition, and the distribution of the population;
• develop the ability to use various sources of information,
• to form moral values ​​and an aesthetic attitude towards the source of life, beauty, and spiritual culture of the Japanese people.

Equipment:

political and economic maps of Japan, atlases, contour maps, drawings, tables, flag and coat of arms of Japan, the national flower of Japan - chrysanthemum, slides about the state.
Lesson structure:

1. Japan is a “country in reverse.”
2. Name of the country and composition of the territory.
3. Economic-geographical and political-geographical position. The influence of EGP on the development of the country, its changes over time.
4. Features of the population. Demographic policy.
5. Natural resources and their use. Assessment of natural resource potential for the development of industry and agriculture.
6. Who are they, the Japanese? What motivates them? (problematic question).

During the classes.
I. Teacher's opening speech.
Japan is a “country in reverse.”
— Today we have an unusual lesson. We will take a trip to a country that is called very strangely - “The Country in Reverse”. And there is every reason for this. In this amazing country, a woman hands you a coat, the steering wheel in the car is on the right side, cats are tailless, they write from top to bottom, eat with chopsticks, sleep on the floor, and white is the color of mourning. — What country are we talking about? Have you guessed it? - Yes, this is Japan. “And our guides will help us understand and get to know this unique country. (Presentation of student tour guides). II. Student presentations with messages.

1. The name of the country. Composition of the territory.
   The ancient name of the country is Yamato. The Japanese call it Nippon or Nihon, that is, the Land of the Rising Sun.
2. The national Japanese flag is white with a red sun circle in the middle.
3. The round chrysanthemum is the national flower of Japan.
4. Territory – 372.5 sq. km.
5. The capital is Tokyo, which means “eastern capital”, located on the island. Honshu, on the site of the former Edo Castle.
6. Geographical location, general information about the country.

Japan is a state located on islands (about 4 thousand) near the coast of East Asia, in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The core of its territory consists of the islands of the Japanese archipelago, including the largest of them - Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. In addition, Japan includes the Ryukyu Islands (Nansei) and others. Japan is separated from the mainland by the East China, Japan and Okhotsk seas. From the east and southeast the country is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Inland Sea of ​​Japan is located between the islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The length of the coastline is almost 30 thousand km. The shores are heavily indented and form many bays and bays. The seas and oceans that wash Japan are of great importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources. The country's connection with other regions of the world is carried out by sea transport. The oldest traces of humans in what is now Japan date back to the Paleolithic period. At the turn of the III-IV centuries. BC. Proto-Japanese tribes came from the regions of southeastern China - carriers of Bronze Age culture. In the 5th century AD The Japanese borrowed hieroglyphic writing in the 6th century. accepted Buddhism. Centuries and rulers changed, trade relations with other countries of the world were interrupted and reactivated. In the 17th century, feudal rulers introduced a ban on almost all contacts with foreigners, fearing both expansion and the spread of Christianity. The "closure" of Japan prevented the country from being colonized. In the 20th century Japan was a participant in three major wars (Russian-Japanese, World War I and World War II). After the end of World War II and the defeat of Japanese militarism, the armed forces were disbanded and various reforms were carried out in the economic and legal system. According to the 1947 constitution, the emperor was deprived of his powers. Currently, Japan is a constitutional monarchy (empire). The highest body of state power and the only legislative body is parliament. 2. Economic-geographical and political-geographical position of Japan. The influence of EGP on the development of the country, its changes over time.

a) Japan is an ancient state.
However, a long period of its isolation led to the fact that until the twentieth century it was, as it were, hidden from the eyes of Europeans. Since World War II, Japan has not had a peace treaty with Russia. Without sufficient grounds, it makes claims to Russia on the islands of the Kuril chain: Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan, Habomai. b) Groups of our students have conducted a historical and geographical examination and are ready to enter into dialogue to answer the question: Who first discovered the Kuril Islands, and who should they belong to: Russia or Japan. Group 1
: The Kuril Islands arc is a ridge of volcanic islands stretching for more than 1000 km, and the southernmost one is only 7 km from Japan.
So the debate about who first discovered the islands makes no sense. Group 2
: Yes, but leaving Japan was punishable by beheading, so the Russian Cossacks began exploring the Kuril Islands and began the colonization of the islands.
S. Dezhnev and the Stadukhin brothers landed in the north, so we consider the Russians to be the pioneers. A history teacher
.
It turns out that until the 17th century. There was no Russian or Japanese history on the Kuril Islands. The indigenous people - the Ainu - were in pre-feudal relations. According to Russian encyclopedic dictionaries, the Dutchman Martin de Vries is considered the discoverer of the Kuril Islands. For 100 years the islands were shown on maps as possessions of the Netherlands. The dispute is still unresolved, we will continue the dialogue. Group 2:
In 1707, Peter I issues an order to survey the Kuril Islands and Japan.
Throughout the 18th century. The capture of the Northern Kuril Islands continued. As noted by F.A. Golovnin, the North Kuril Islands became Orthodox, wore Russian names, Russian clothes, spoke Russian and drank Russian vodka. Group 1:
However, the South Kuril Ainu adopted the morals and customs of their Japanese educators.
The Japanese islands, secretly from the authorities, continued to trade in the South Kuril Islands. Geography teacher: In the geographical dictionary published by Moscow University in 1804, it is written: “The northernmost islands obey Russian, the southernmost - Japanese power.” The situation is clear. Why did the territorial issue arise between the countries? Let's continue the research. Group 2
: In 1808, the tsarist government sent I. Ryazanov to the Southern Kuril Islands, who liquidated Japanese settlements on the ships “Juno” and “Avos” with naval officers.
The garrison commander committed hara-kiri, the Japanese fled or were captured. Group 1
: in retaliation, the Japanese captured Russian sailors under the leadership of F.A.
Golovnina. The Russian government had to send official statements for the actions of its officers. As a result, both Russians and Japanese were freed. A history teacher
.
In Shimoda in 1852, the first Russian-Japanese legal document was signed. Russia recognized the Southern Kuril Islands as possessions of Japan. And in 1875, negotiations began regarding Sakhalin Island. As a result, a second official agreement was signed - the St. Petersburg Treaty, according to which Sakhalin Island was recognized as Russian, and Japan received all the islands of the Kuril chain. Geography teacher
.
So, it became clear to us that the Kuril Islands belong to Japan. How did it happen that this territory is now again disputed by the Japanese? A history teacher
.
In 1940, the USSR made claims to the Kuril Islands, but Japan, naturally, rejected them. But in 1945, in accordance with the secret Yalta agreements, the victorious countries for the USSR entering the war with Japan, all the Kuril Islands were to be transferred to the Soviet Union as a war trophy. On August 8, the USSR declared war on Japan, and by September 1, all the islands were occupied by Soviet troops. In subsequent years, there was a mass deportation of all indigenous people. Geography teacher
.
The historical examination is completed, what conclusion will we come to when conducting a geographical examination? Let the experts defend the interests of Japan speak. Group 1
: After the Japanese administration strengthened in the Kuril Islands, the economy of the islands received rapid development.
A transport network was established, villages, fish factories, fur farming stations, and lumber mills were built. By 1939 there were 133 settlements. Emperor Hirohito of Japan often began to visit the Kuril Islands in a small palace built for him. And at the end of the 50s, the Soviet Union destroyed everything that was created by the “imperialist enemies”: magnolia trees were cut down, forests were crushed by tank tracks, lakes were poisoned with diesel fuel, Buddhist monuments were destroyed with dynamite. And now, after 50 years of belonging to the Kuril Islands of the USSR and Russia, the socio-economic situation on the islands has become critical. The islands are not equipped: houses are made of plywood, there are many shacks, barracks, there is no sewage system, there is dampness and poverty all around, there are no highways or railways, only one industry is developed - fish canning, but even here the equipment of the factories is outdated, dozens of fish processing enterprises are closed. Group 2
: It is known that the Kuril Islands are rich in ores, timber, and healing waters.
Not so long ago, the islands were famous for their abundance of animals, including fur seals, beavers, and seals. Now on the islands you rarely even see a fox, a bear, a sable, a mink, and the squirrel has completely disappeared. And the destruction of natural resources began with the years of Japanese rule. According to experts, even now Japan produces 50% of the total catch near the Kuril Islands, making profits worth more than $30 billion, while our profit is only $1.5 billion. Group 1
: Using all the gifts of the seas rationally, Russia could receive the same profit. The amount of Russian losses consists of the following factors:

• The trawl fleet destroyed seaweed near the islands, the alginic acids of which are used for medical preparations that remove radionuclides and heavy metals from the body; the Japanese also use it in perfumery, the food industry and other industries, making profits worth $5 billion.
• From 700 thousand tons of saury you can get 20 thousand tons of scales, and from it - pearl pata worth 4 billion dollars.
• The crab is valuable not for its meat, but for its chitinous covering and liver; medical preparations made from them are valued at several billion dollars per 1 kg.
• Other mined but unused representatives of marine culture, which the Kuril Islands are so rich in, are also not completely processed, for example, sea urchins, fish liver, their scales, milt, etc.

2nd group

: We recognize that the Northern Territories problem exists.
The Kuril Islands, inhabited by indigenous people - the Ainu - were the object of colonial conquest by both Russia and Japan, and therefore cannot be considered “originally Russian”. We must admit that Japan has the moral and legal right to claim at least the Southern Kuril Islands, thereby we will receive a powerful investor in the development of the riches of the Far East, we will normalize Russian-Japanese relations and restore justice. Geography teacher
.
By the way, a referendum held in 1991 showed that 20% of Kunashirs and 25% of Shikotans were in favor of returning the islands to Japan. c) Japan is a member of the G8, which indicates its high economic development, but is not a member of NATO and other associations, because its distance from most countries complicates the integration process. Japan's island position in the center of the Asia-Pacific region opens up opportunities for it to participate in the international geographical division of labor. 3. Features of the population. Demographic policy.

• Japan's population of 126.5 million people is 8th in the world after China, India, USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan.
• The average population density is 336 people per sq. km. But the actual population density is higher, since almost the entire population of the country is concentrated in the coastal lowlands and river valleys.
• Japan is a constitutional monarchy, an empire. This is practically the only empire in the world.

Before the adoption of the Constitution of 1947, it was an absolute monarchy, the laws of which vested the emperor with unlimited power and attributed to him divine origin. Currently, the emperor of the country is a symbol of the state and the unity of the nation, since all legislative and executive power belongs to the parliament and the cabinet of ministers. According to the government system, Japan is a unitary state, there are 46 prefectures and the governorate of Hokkaido. The vast majority of the population lives in cities – 76%. There are more than 200 large cities in the country, 12 of them are millionaire cities. Japan, unlike other Asian countries, is characterized by the first type of population reproduction - natural increase. The noticeable decline in the birth rate is explained, first of all, by the desire of the Japanese to improve their standard of living, as well as by the government policy of birth control. After the war, the age structure of the population changed. The proportion of the elderly population has increased. Classes on the basics of family planning are already held in high school. Later marriages by agreement of parents are promoted.

• Japan is a nation of healthy people with the lowest infant mortality rate in the world - 4 per 1000 (in the USA - 8 per 1000, in Russia - 18 per 1000) and the highest level of life expectancy (men 76 years, women 82 years). For comparison: in Russia, women live on average 72 years, men – 62 years.
• Question.
  Why do the Japanese live long? Answer:

1. All products in the stores are the freshest. A lot of seafood is eaten.
2. The very attitude towards life. The Japanese, like no other people in the world, know and understand how fragile life is. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are still remembered. The Japanese value life and protect nature, forests, rivers, animals and birds.
3. Goodwill reigns in the relationships of the Japanese with each other.
4. Habit of walking. Once upon a time, the country proclaimed the slogan: “Ten thousand steps a day for health,” which became a life rule for every Japanese.
5. Hygiene. Everyone who sneezes or blows their nose wears a special mask made of several layers of gauze on their face, covering their nose and mouth. Moreover, they are taught to wear these sanitary bandages already in kindergarten.

Question. What did each of you think about from all that was said? (guys’ thoughts).

• The ethnic composition of the population is extremely homogeneous. This is a typical single-ethnic country, where the Japanese make up 99% of the population. National minorities include the Ainu living on the island of Hokkaido, Koreans and Chinese, especially in large cities.
• The Japanese language is specific and does not belong to any language family. The modern Japanese writing system is also very complex, using both hieroglyphs and syllabary.
• The Japanese are a very religious nation. The religion that came to Japan from India is Buddhism. The Japanese belief system - Shintoism, which means “divine path”, serves the main religious and everyday rituals and, above all, wedding ceremonies, which always take place in Shinto shrines. Buddhism, on the contrary, takes upon itself all funeral and funeral rites. A temple in Japan is a pagoda. This is an unusual structure for a European, multi-tiered, with a roof fancifully curved upward at the corners.
• Japan is a country of high culture and complete literacy, where great attention is paid to the education and upbringing of children from early childhood. The Japanese sacredly honor ancient rituals and traditions, which include honoring elders, kimonos, features of Japanese cuisine, table setting, tea ceremony, ikebana, bonsai, etc.

Brief student reports about traditions in Japan.
1 student
.
The Japanese customarily bow and smile. A subordinate bows to his boss, bending his body at an angle of 45 degrees, colleagues bow to each other at an angle of 15 degrees, and greet clients and customers at an angle of 30 degrees. - that means everyone has their own corner. Even when the mother, according to Japanese custom, carries the baby on her back, she makes him bow with each bow, thereby giving the first lessons in honoring elders. Slide show. 2 student
.
Tea drinking in Japan is a whole ritual called “cha no yu”, which means “tea ceremony”. No more than 5 people participate in the ceremony. the room should be twilight even during the day, and all the furniture and objects should be antique, only a snow-white linen scarf and a bamboo rug should be emphatically new. All participants in the ceremony sit on the floor, one of them pours powder into a cup - green tea ground into powder, pours water and whips the foam with a whisk. The ceremony takes place in complete silence. Particular attention is paid to water quality. Slide show. 3 student
.
Ikebana (roughly translated: the art of arranging flowers). This is a whole science, it is taught in Japan in special schools. Children are taught this art from the age of 6, three times a week. Penetrating into the world of ikebana requires a person to have professional knowledge and a special gift - a subtle visual perception of its subtle properties. Slide show. 4 student
.
There are real miracles in Japan. One of them is bonsai - miniature gardens. These small gardens are no larger than the size of a room. Dwarf trees grow in them: oaks, maples, larches up to 30 cm. Several generations of people have been growing them for more than 900 years. They are passed on by inheritance. The Japanese can spend hours admiring such gardens, taking a break from a hard day's work. The existence of such a tiny garden can be explained by people’s desire to experience the beauty of the big world and to have it close to them. Slide show. 5 student
.
The Japanese have their own national costume - kimono. Kimonos are still worn today, from young to old, on holidays. It is inherited, the same for everyone: there is no difference - male or female. All joyful events: the birth of a child, a wedding, holidays, all sorrowful events force one to wear a kimono - ceremonial or mourning. Kimono is a garment that is never thrown away. An indispensable attribute of a woman's toilet is a hairpin to decorate her hair, as well as a fan and an umbrella. Slide show. 6 student
.
Earthquakes often occur in Japan, so lightweight houses have long been built here, the destruction of which does not kill people. The houses are made of wooden planks. The walls slide apart like bookcase doors. This allows you to easily and quickly change the layout of your home. The floors are covered with special mats made of pressed rice straw - tatami. During the day they sit on them, have dinner, and at night they make a bed on them. There is usually little furniture. The house is perfectly clean. Guests will come, the hosts will invite them to the table. Each person will be given two chopsticks instead of a fork. In Japan, they still remain faithful to wooden chopsticks. Canteens, restaurants, and hotels in Japan annually purchase 11.3 billion thin chopsticks, use them only once, and then throw them away. Instead of chairs, the Japanese place soft cushions on the floor. The dishes on the table have nothing in common with what we call a service. Visitors are amazed: what a discrepancy! But to the Japanese it seems bad taste to see the same painting on plates, saucers, and cups. And when the guests leave, the owners will give them a paper bird – a crane – as a farewell gift. It is believed that it brings happiness to people. Slide show. 7 student
.
Japanese garden art is a unique phenomenon, representing a carefully developed philosophical and aesthetic system of values. Huge impact on Japanese culture from the end of the 13th century. began to provide the Buddhist sect Zen. The gardens of Zen monasteries began to express the idea of ​​understanding Nature as the embodiment of the Absolute Truth, the spirit of Buddha. The Zen garden was no longer intended for walking, its function was to help in the practice of contemplation. The famous dry gardens appear, where water has been replaced by sand and gravel. The most famous of them is the garden of the Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto, or, as it is also called, the garden of the Fifteen Stones. From any point on the terrace where those sitting admiring the garden, only fourteen stones are visible, the fifteenth is hidden behind one of them. You take a step to the side, the fifteenth stone appears, but another one hides instead. This is how the idea of ​​the illusory nature of human ideas about the world is expressed. The Japanese garden is a kind of window into another reality, a place where a person can admire the endless beauty of Nature. 8 student.
The Japanese are of particular interest to the Japanese cherry tree – sakura.
Its fruits are inedible. Sakura blooms once a year, the buds swell in one day, and the flowers fly off in one day. Its pink inflorescences excite and delight the Japanese not only with their abundance, but with their fragility. Sakura petals do not fade. Spinning merrily, they fly to the ground from the slightest breath of wind. 4. Natural resources and their use. Assessment of natural resource potential for the development of industry and agriculture. Teacher.
Japan is a mountainous country (75% of the territory).
To expand living space, the water area adjacent to land is used: residential and industrial zones are located on artificial peninsulas and islands created by filling shallow waters. The bulk of the country's population lives on the coastal plains (mainly along the Pacific coast of the islands). High seismicity and volcanism have a significant impact on economic development. Every year in Japan there are about 1.5 thousand earthquakes of varying strength. There are 15 active volcanoes on the islands, and several dozen more may awaken, including Japan's highest peak, Mount Fuji (3,776 m). The eruption of underwater volcanoes is associated with seaquakes and the tsunami waves they cause, causing great damage to the economy (especially on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido). Japan is poor in mineral resources. Linking to external sources of raw materials and markets for finished goods has become the most important reason for the country's active foreign policy. However, the country also produces its own coal (on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido), lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, and limestone, but their reserves are generally small and development conditions are difficult. Import of cheap raw materials from abroad leads to the closure of mines. The resources of the World Ocean are used (manganese nodules are mined from the seabed, etc.). The large length of the country's territory in the meridional direction, its island position, the complexity of the relief and significant climatic differences between individual parts of the country have formed a unique set of natural conditions. The climate of Japan as a whole is quite favorable for human habitation and farming. The island of Hokkaido and northern Honshu are located in a temperate maritime climate, the rest of Honshu, the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu are in a humid subtropical climate, and the Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa) are in a tropical climate. The most important factor shaping the climate is the monsoons, which are accompanied by typhoons and downpours in summer and snowfalls in winter. The warm Kuroshio ocean current has a softening effect. Due to climatic conditions, in the southern subtropical and tropical regions it is possible to harvest two crops per year. In recent years, the land problem in Japan has worsened due to the deterioration of land quality. There are mainly slightly podzolic and peaty soils, as well as brown forest and red soils, suitable for growing many crops (from potatoes in the north to sugar cane in the south). Cultivated lands make up 13% of the area, meadows and pastures – 4%. Approximately 7% of the country's territory is covered by forests. In Hokkaido it is the base of the wood processing industry. The country's rich and varied vegetation gives the Japanese the joy of contemplating nature at any time of the year. The rivers of Japan are numerous, but short. The largest of them is Sinako (367 km). Most rivers are turbulent mountain streams, sources of hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. The rivers are unsuitable for navigation. There are two types of lakes in Japan - deep-water mountain lakes and shallow lagoon lakes on the coastal lowlands. The abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater that Japan is generously endowed with has a beneficial effect on the development of agriculture and industry. The country's industrial development has caused serious environmental pollution problems, which are being addressed by government programs to improve environmental control. The population is distributed unevenly throughout the territory. With a high average density (more than 330 people per 1 sq. km), some areas in this indicator compete with the most densely populated areas of the world. These are the coastal areas of the Pacific coast, where 2/3 of the country's population lives. Almost 4/5 of the Japanese are city dwellers. 11 cities have a population of over 1 million people. The largest urban agglomeration is Keihin (Tokyo-Yokohama), where more than 25 million people are concentrated in 150 settlements. Together with two other largest agglomerations - Keishin (Osaka - Kobe - Kyoto) and Tyukyo (Nagoya, etc.), as well as with the cities located between them, the Keihin agglomeration merges into a single system - the Tokyo metropolis Tokaido). Its total population is more than 60 million Human. Peripheral centers such as Sapporo and Sendai are also growing rapidly. And outside the metropolis, another agglomeration was formed - Kitakyushu-Fukuoka (in the north of Kyushu island). Farming. According to experts, modern Japan is at the stage of a post-industrial society. Although industry remains the most important sector of the economy (29% of GNP), the importance of the non-production sector (service sector, finance, research activities) is growing. Teacher
.
In today's lesson, we visited one of the corners of our planet, an amazing country where people, in defiance of nature, which did not give them sufficient mineral resources or land, reached such economic heights that many on earth could envy them. Problematic question:
- Who are they, the Japanese? - What motivates them?
Lesson conclusion
: the cultural, intellectual, and physical capital of a nation plays a special role in achieving economic heights.
III. Lesson summary. IV.
Homework: pp. 241-244, natural resources.

Relief and climate

The country is located entirely on the Japanese archipelago, consisting of 6,852 islands of volcanic or mountainous origin. They were formed as a result of the subduction of the Philippine plate under the Amur and Okinawa plates, and the Pacific plate under the Okhotsk plate. The peculiarities of the formation of the archipelago lead to frequent earthquakes.

Although Japan is a four-season climate region, there are significant variations in temperatures, from low temperatures in the north to subtropical temperatures in the south.

The weather is greatly influenced by seasonal winds blowing from the continent in winter and from the islands in summer. The region also receives large amounts of rainfall.

Flora and fauna

The high humidity and isolation of the islands provided favorable conditions for the emergence of a large number of plant and animal species.

Flora characteristic of the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones grows here. The rainforest is located on the coast of Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands.

Here you can find:

• palm trees,
• ferns,
• banana trees,
• ficus,
• creepers.

Subtropical forests are found on the island of Shikoku and the south of Honshu. They are represented by cypresses, thujas, laurels, etc. In the mountains of Hokkaido there are spruce and fir trees, in Honshu there are alpine meadows.

The fauna of Japan is distinguished by the presence of endemics (animals found only in this region), such as the fire-bellied python, Iriomotean cat, Okinawan flying fox, etc.

Depending on the climate zone, they also live:

• brown bears,
• hares,
• sables,
• chipmunks,
• macaques,
• white-breasted bears,
• foxes,
• serow,
• wild boars,
• various species of birds and fish.

flying fox

Description of the islands

The state includes almost seven thousand islands, inhabited and not, suitable for life and consisting only of volcanoes.

Let's look at the main ones:

1. Hokkaido. The second largest, area - 83.46 million square meters. km, population - 5.6 million people, located in the temperate climate zone.
2. Honshu. The largest and most populous, the capital is located here. Area - 231.1 million square meters. km, population - 103 million people. The climate varies from continental in the north to subtropical in the south.
3. Shikoku. Area - 18.79 million square meters. km, population 3.98 million people. In climatic terms, the island is divided into two subregions: in the north - Mediterranean, in the south - subtropical.
4. Kyushu. Area - 42.18 million square meters. km, population 12 million people. Located in the subtropical zone.

Water bodies

The main water bodies of the country are the seas and oceans surrounding it, where fishing is carried out, there are maritime borders with its neighbors, and international ports are located on the coast. No less significant are inland water resources: rivers, lakes, waterfalls, etc.

Due to the fact that it is an island country, the rivers here are small.

The fastest are:

• Mogami,
• Fuji,
• Kuma.

The longest is Shinano.

The largest Lake Biwa is located on the island of Honshu and has an area of ​​670.3 square meters. km. The most famous Kegon Falls is located in the area of ​​​​the city of Nikko, one of the oldest religious and pilgrimage sites.

Kegon waterfall

Features of the structure of Japan's exports and imports

Japan takes an active part in international trade. The main exports of the state are vehicles. In terms of sales abroad of products in this category, Japan ranks 2nd in the world rankings (after Germany).

The article “Japanese car auctions: affordable quality” will tell you how you can purchase a high-quality Japanese-made car.

Electrical machines, mechanical devices and equipment are also important components of Japanese exports. The total volume of sales of these types of goods (including cars) to other countries is 55% of the total cost of supplies to other countries.

The main markets are Germany, Australia, countries of Southeast and East Asia, and the USA. As for Russia, in terms of exports from Japan it is in the third ten among all countries in the world. Moreover, in value terms, the majority of exports to the Russian Federation are vehicles.

The main product groups imported into Japan are petroleum products and mineral fuels. According to data at the beginning of 2021, they were supplied mainly from:

• Russia – 6.8%:
• Qatar – 7.7%;
• United Arab Emirates - 14.1%;
• Australia - 18.2%;
• Saudi Arabia - 18.9%.

Japan also imports electrical machines, mechanical devices and equipment. About half of these goods traditionally come from China. In general, products from the Middle Kingdom account for about 25% of the value of total imports to the Japanese market.

Family philosophy

The peculiarity of the country is that with the opening of borders in the mid-19th century and the rapid penetration of Western civilization, Japan managed to preserve its traditional way of life and customs.

In relation to the family, this is represented by the following facts:

1. To this day, about a third of families are concluded as a result of maya - marriage.
2. Old people often live in nursing homes because very busy children are unable to care for them. It is noteworthy that here you can rent elderly relatives for the day and pick them up in the evening.
3. Families in Japan are rather patriarchal; the interests of the husband come first. And although many Japanese women work, after giving birth to children they remain at home and raise the child until the age of five. It is not customary here to send children to kindergarten. From the age of 5, children begin to attend school.

Advantages of Japanese EGP

If we talk about the advantages of the economic and geographical location of this country, we can highlight the following:

• Occupies a high position in the world economy . This is due to the long coastline, which provides access to the crossroads of sea routes. At the same time, there are no high costs when transporting goods, since such routes are the cheapest.
• A stable political situation that has a favorable effect on international relations.
• Due to its position in the very center of the Asia-Pacific region , Japan has favorable conditions for the purchase of raw materials, fuel, and food products.
• It occupies a leading position in the production of high-quality gross domestic product for the whole world. This is due to the purposeful policy of the state, which made it possible to diligently develop industry, acquiring the most expensive equipment.
• It contains an abundant amount of rivers, lakes, and groundwater , which are an excellent source for hydroelectric power and field irrigation. This fact has a beneficial effect on industrial and agricultural production.
• It has thousands of fishing ports and the largest fleet , thanks to which Japan has become famous as the largest exporter of a wide variety of fish species.
• The lack of shipping routes helped protect the country from conquest by neighboring states.
• The climate is quite favorable for agriculture and human life.
• Maintenance of many forests , including a significant proportion of tree species.

The pride of the country's EGP is its industrial complex , which includes a powerful energy supply and metallurgy. It occupies first place among shipbuilding and mechanical engineering, producing a significant amount of electronics and optical equipment. Also covers one of the leading places for the manufacture of chemical products. The light industry for the production of high-tech fabrics is developing successfully. All this determines the country’s favorable economy.

The introduction of high technologies and investment of capital also determined the image of the country as one of the most economically developed. The number of investments continues to increase every year, which indicates the expansion of Japan's relations with other countries.

Dangers of nature

Due to the peculiarities of the geographical location and the process of formation of the islands on which the country is located, living here is fraught with dangers. The country is home to many volcanoes, the eruptions of which are accompanied by emissions of magma and ash into the atmosphere.

The region is also prone to constant earthquakes. Houses here are built taking this fact into account. Most shocks are minor and may not be felt. But there are also those that lead to the failure of communications, damage to furniture and equipment.

The last major earthquake occurred in 2011. It caused the formation of a tsunami that hit the islands and led in turn to an accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant and an environmental disaster in which about 15,000 people died.

Attractions

The main symbol of this mysterious country is Mount Fuji (Fujiyama). It looks like a smooth cone with a height of 3776 meters. This landmark is considered sacred to the Japanese. Not only thousands of tourists, but also local residents strive to climb it.

Another natural attraction is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It is located in the Kyoto area and was created by the monk Muso Soseki. The trees reach 40 meters in height. The park has a unique atmosphere of peace and depth.

Also in the country there are many castles that have survived to this day and have unique architecture and decoration.

The most famous of them:

1. Himeji (White Heron) Castle. Located 55 km from Kyoto, founded in 1333.
2. Matsumoto Castle. Located 3 hours from Tokyo, built in 1580.
3. Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The present residence of the emperor, the last restoration was carried out in 1888. The building itself has been here since the 15th century.
4. Nijo Castle. Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the center of Kyoto. Founded in 1601.
5. Nagoya Castle. It was the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Founded in 1612.

Japan is a country where modernity and antiquity merge together. Tourists' attention is attracted by the contrast of modern megacities with neon advertisements, skyscrapers, a huge amount of transport, buses and castles, or entire settlements built in a traditional style, engaged in crafts and carefully preserving the foundations of their ancestors.

White Heron Castle

Interesting Facts

Eastern philosophy, closely intertwined, but not dissolved with Western values, creates an unprecedented background of life, forming a completely unique mentality and way of life of the inhabitants.

Here are some interesting facts about life in this country:

1. Currently, there is a trend among women in Japan for crooked teeth. After paying huge amounts of money to dentists, they end up with long and protruding fangs.
2. The country is distinguished by its life expectancy; today more than 65 thousand people live here, whose age has passed 100 years.
3. There are legends about the ability of Eastern people to work. In Japan, career obsession is on the rise. Young people give up family, having children, and sometimes even sex in favor of work.
4. In this regard, most residents work 12 hours a day with a six-day work week.
5. People here are taught to work from an early age. Children in schools clean their own classrooms.