Physical Geography
The Big Idea
Japan and Korea are both rugged, mountainous areas
surrounding by water.
Main Ideas
 The main physical features of Japan and the Koreas are
rugged mountains.
 The climates and resources of Japan and the Koreas vary
from north to south.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 1:
The main physical features of Japan and the
Koreas are rugged mountains.
Japan
• Four large islands, 3,000
smaller islands
• Major islands: Hokkaido,
Honshu, Shikoku, and
Kyushu
• Mountains cover 75
percent of the country.
• Largest mountain range is
called the Japanese Alps.
• Fuji is Japan’s tallest
mountain and has become
a symbol of Japan.
Holt McDougal,
Korea
• Korean peninsula includes
both North and South
Korea.
• Much of the peninsula is
covered by mountains.
• Has some large plains
• Most of Korea’s rivers flow
westward and pour into
the Yellow Sea.
Natural Disasters
Japan
• Volcanic eruptions
• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
Korea
• Typhoons
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 2:
The climates and resources of Japan and the
Koreas vary from north to south.
Humid,
continental climate
• Found in the northern
parts of the region
• Summers are cool.
• Winters are long and
cold.
• Short growing season
Holt McDougal,
Humid,
subtropical climate
• Found in the southern
parts of the region
• Summers are hot and
humid.
• Mild winters
• Heavy rains and
typhoons in summer
• Can receive up to 80
inches of rain per year
Resources of Japan and the Koreas
Japan
• One of the world’s strongest fishing economies
• A fishery is a place where lots of fish and other
seafood can be caught.
• Not very rich in mineral resources
North
Korea
• Large deposits of coal, iron, and other minerals
• Hydroelectric power
South
Korea
• Hydroelectric power
• Not very rich in mineral resources
Holt McDougal,
History and Culture
The Big Idea
History and tradition are very important to the people of
Japan and the Koreas.
Main Ideas
• The early history of Japan and Korea were closely linked,
but the countries developed very differently.
• Japanese culture blends traditional customs with modern
innovations.
• Though they share a common culture, life is very different
in North and South Korea.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 1:
The early history of Japan and Korea were
closely linked, but the countries developed
very differently.
• Both Japan and the Koreas have very long histories.
• Both Japan and the Koreas were influenced by China.
• Japan remained independent.
• The Koreas were ruled by China for centuries and later by
the Japanese.
Holt McDougal,
Early History
Both Japan and the Koreas were influenced by
China.
The Korean Peninsula borders China, and Japan lies
just across the sea.
Scholars and missionaries from China brought
Buddhism to the Koreas and then to Japan.
Holt McDougal,
Japanese History
Emperors, Shoguns,
and Samurai
Later Japan
• For many years emperors
ruled Japan just as they
did in China.
• Heian (now called Kyoto)
was the imperial capital.
• After the emperors Japan
was controlled by military
leaders called shoguns.
• The shogun ruled with the
help of armies of samurai,
or highly trained warriors.
• Shoguns ruled Japan well
into the 1800s.
• In 1868 a group of samurai
overthrew the shogun and
returned power to the
emperor.
• Hirohito was Japan’s
emperor for most of the
1900s.
• Japan allied itself with
Germany and Italy in
World War II.
• The Americans dropped
atomic bombs on two
Japanese cities to end
World War II.
Holt McDougal,
History of the Koreas
• For centuries the Koreas were ruled by China.
• Later the Japanese invaded the Korean Peninsula and were harsh
rulers.
• After World War II Korea was taken away from Japan.
• The Koreans formed two countries: North Korea and South
Korea.
• North Korea created a Communist government.
• South Korea created a democratic government.
• In 1950 the Korean War started, and its effects still linger today.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 2:
Japanese culture blends traditional customs
with modern innovations.
Language
Religion
Customs and
Traditions
• Nearly everyone
in Japan speaks
Japanese.
 Most people in
Japan blend
elements of two
religions—Shinto
and Buddhism.
 Japanese people
wear both
traditional and
western clothing.
 Japanese writing
uses two
different types of
characters: kanji
and kana.
• Shinto is native
to the islands.
 Buddhism came
to Japan from
China.
 Kimonos are
traditional robes.
 The Japanese
practice
traditional forms
of art such as
Noh and Kabuki.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 3:
Though they share a common culture, life is
very different in North and South Korea.
Language
Religion
• People in both
North Korea and
South Korea speak
Korean.
 In the past most
Koreans were
Buddhists and
Confucianists.
 Korean is written
with an alphabet.
 Recently Christianity
has also become
popular.
 Communist North
Korea discourages
people from
practicing any
religion.
Holt McDougal,
Customs and
Traditions
 Korean foods reflect
their ancient
traditions.
 In North Korea the
government
encouraged people to
retain their old
customs and
traditions.
 In South Korea some
traditional customs
have been lost.
Japan Today
The Big Idea
Japan has overcome many challenges to become one of the
most highly developed countries in Asia.
Main Ideas
 Since World War II, Japan has developed a democratic
government and one of the world’s strongest economies.
 A shortage of open space shapes daily life in Japan.
 Crowding, competition, and pollution are among Japan’s
main issues and challenges.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 1:
Since World War II, Japan has developed a
democratic government and one of the
world’s strongest economies.
Government
Economy
 Japan’s government is a
constitutional monarchy
headed by an emperor.
 Manufacturing is the most
successful area of Japan’s
economy.
 The emperor has little real
power.
 Many Japanese companies
are leaders in new
technology and ideas.
 Power rests in an elected
legislature called the Diet
and in an elected prime
minister.
• Tokyo is the capital of
Japan and the seat of
government.
Holt McDougal,
 Many factors have
contributed to Japan’s
economic success.
• Japan’s economy depends
on trade.
 Japan has few natural
resources.
The Japanese Economy
Reasons for
Success
• The government
• The workforce
• Strong work ethic
Trade
Resources
• Economy depends
on trade
• Few natural
resources
• The United States
is Japan’s major
trading partner.
• Must import raw
materials
• Japan has a huge
trade surplus.
• Japan is able to
export more than
it imports because
of high tariffs.
Holt McDougal,
• Little arable land
• Must buy food
from other
countries
Main Idea 2:
A shortage of open space shapes daily life in
Japan.
• Japan is a densely populated country.
• Tokyo is the national capital and is busy, noisy, and very
crowded.
• Japan’s other cities are also crowded and busy.
• The Japanese have built a network of rail lines to connect
their cities.
• Some of Japan’s people live in rural areas and own or
work on farms.
Holt McDougal,
Urban Life
Life in Tokyo
• Nearly 30 million people live in Tokyo’s small area.
• Space is limited in Tokyo, forcing people to come up with creative
ways to adapt.
•Tall, narrow buildings
•Using space underground
•The capsule hotel
• Many people live outside the city and commute into work by train.
• Tokyo has many parks, museums, stores, and other attractions.
Life in Other Cities
• Most of Tokyo’s other cities are also crowded and busy.
 Osaka is Japan’s second largest city.
• Kyoto is another major city and was once Japan’s capital.
Holt McDougal,
Daily Life in Japan
Transportation between Cities
• To connect cities that lie far apart, the Japanese have
built a network of rail lines.
 Some rail lines carry very fast trains called
Shinkansen.
 Japan’s rail system is very efficient.
Rural Life
 Some people live in small villages.
 The people in the villages own or work on farms.
 Not very much of Japan’s land is arable, and Japan imports
much of its food.
 Many people have left the rural areas to find work in the
cities.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 3:
Crowding, competition, and pollution are
among Japan’s main issues and challenges.
Issues and Challenges
• Lack of space
• Economic competition from China and South Korea
• Pollution
– Kyoto Protocol
Holt McDougal,
The Koreas Today
The Big Idea
Though they share a common history and culture, the two
Koreas have very different governments and economies.
Main Ideas
• The people of South Korea today have freedom and
economic opportunities.
 The people of North Korea today have little freedom or
economic opportunity.
 Some people in both South and North Korea support the
idea of Korean reunification.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 1:
The people of South Korea today have
freedom and economic opportunities.
• South Korea is an economic rival and key
trading partner of Japan.
• South Korea has a democratic government.
• South Korea has a strong economy.
• South Korea shares a border with a potentially
hostile neighbor—North Korea.
Holt McDougal,
South Korea
Government and
Economy
 The official name of
South Korea is the
Republic of Korea.
 South Korea is a
republic, headed by
a president and an
elected assembly.
 South Korea’s
economy is one of
the strongest in
East Asia.
 South Korea is a
major
manufacturing
country.
Daily Life
• South Korea is
densely populated.
Issues and
Challenges
 Seoul is its capital
city.
• Potential corruption
within South
Korea’s industry
 Few people live in
the mountainous
interior.
• South Korea’s
relationship with
North Korea
 Most people live in
small apartments
in the cities.
• Demilitarized
zone, an empty
bugger zone
created to keep the
two countries from
fighting, separates
South Korea and
North Korea.
 Outside the cities,
South Koreans
follow traditional
ways of life—
usually farming on
small farms.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 2:
The people of North Korea today have little
freedom or economic opportunity.
• The Communist Party controls both the government and
the economy.
• North Korea is largely urban.
• Despite being rich in natural resources, North Korea has a
troubled economy.
• Many countries are worried about North Korea’s nuclear
program.
Holt McDougal,
North Korean
Government and Economy
• The official name of North Korea is the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea.
• North Korea is a totalitarian state, in which the Communist Party
controls both the government and the economy.
• Kim Jong II rules as a dictator.
• North Korea has a command economy.
• Although North Korea is rich in mineral resources, it is much
poorer than Japan and South Korea.
• Little of North Korea’s land is arable, and the country is forced to
import food.
Holt McDougal,
North Korea
Daily Life
Issues and Challenges
• North Korea is a largely
urban society and most
people live in cities.
• Resources go unused
because of bad choices
by the government.
• Pyongyang is its
capital city.
• Many countries worry
about North Korea’s
ability to make and use
nuclear weapons.
• The people of North
Korea have fewer rights
than the people of Japan
or South Korea.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 3:
Some people in both South and North Korea
support the idea of Korean reunification.
Because North and South Korea share a common culture
and history, many people feel they should be one country.
The governments of North and South Korea have also
expressed an interest in reunification.
The chief obstacle to reunification is that South Korea
wants the reunified country to have a democratic
government and North Korea demands that the
government be Communist.
Holt McDougal,