Geography
Chapter 29
Today’s Issues:
East Asia
The issues facing East Asian nations include earthquakes, economic recessions, growing
populations, and rapidly changing societies.
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Geography
Chapter 29
Today’s Issues:
East Asia
SECTION 1
The Ring of Fire
SECTION 2
Trade and Prosperity
Case Study
Population and the Quality of Life
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Geography
Chapter 29
Section-1
The Ring of Fire
• The islands of Japan form part of a geologically active area called the Ring of Fire.
• Because of its location, Japan has faced disastrous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and tsunamis.
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Geography
Chapter 29
Section-1
The Ring of Fire
Physical Forces in the Ring of Fire
Shifting Plates
• Many Japanese cities are threatened by earthquakes
− Japan is on the Ring of Fire—chain of volcanoes around Pacific Rim
• Subduction—oceanic plate slides under continental plate
• In East Asia, Pacific oceanic plate meets Eurasian continental plate
− crumpled continental crust forms mountains, volcanoes
− stress builds where plates meet; sudden slip creates earthquake
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Geography
Chapter 29
The Geology of Japan
Volcanoes
• Subduction of Pacific plate under Eurasian plate created volcanoes
− volcanoes formed Japanese islands
• Since first records, at least 60 Japanese volcanoes have been active
− best-known Japanese landform, Mt. Fuji, is a volcano
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
The Geology of Japan {continued}
Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• An average of 1,000 earthquakes occur in Japan each year
− most are mild, but some cause many deaths, great destruction
• 1923 Great Kanto earthquake and its fires killed 140,000 people
− left Tokyo in ruins, damaged or destroyed 700,000 homes
• Underwater earthquakes move ocean floor; can create tsunami
− huge wave of great destructive power that can reach over 100 feet
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Geography
Chapter 29
Preparing for Disasters
Problems
• Older buildings won’t withstand earthquakes as well as newer ones
− some are built on less stable ground or landfill
• Underground gas lines are likely to rupture in an earthquake
− leaking gas can catch fire
• Crowded blocks and narrow streets hinder rescue operations
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
Preparing for Disasters {continued}
Solutions
• Japan has strict building code
− engineers study how different buildings withstand quakes
− studies affect codes governing construction materials, techniques
− this makes newer buildings safer than older ones
• Schoolchildren have yearly disaster drills with firemen
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Geography
Chapter 29
Section-2
Trade and Prosperity
• East Asian economies became global powerhouses in the 1970s and 1980s.
• The decline of Asian economies in the 1990s created a crisis that spread around the globe.
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Geography
Chapter 29
Section-2
Trade and Prosperity
Opening Doors
Opening to the West
• East Asian nations are isolated from world until 1500s
− Europeans use various means, including force, to end isolation
• By 1800s, treaties give Europeans spheres of influence in East
− exclusive areas where specific nations control trade
• Commodore Matthew Perry sails to Japan in 1853 to open U.S. trade
− U.S. warships intimidate Japan into opening up to U.S., West
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Geography
Chapter 29
Opening Doors {continued}
Industrialization and Globalization
• After WWII, nations industrialize, East-West trade increases
−“Made in China,” “Made in Japan” labels are common in West
• Regional economies merge, global economy develops
− global economy—nations are interdependent for goods, services
• Japan imports resources, exports manufactured goods worldwide
• East Asian nations use cheap labor to become manufacturing powers
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Geography
Chapter 29
Powerful Economies of East Asia
Zone of Prosperity
• Many Asian economies do very well in 1980s, early ’90s
• Economically powerful nations in Pacific Rim zone of prosperity
− called the Jakota Triangle—Japan, Korea (South), Taiwan
• But by mid-1990s these economies are having problems
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued}
Economic Problems Arise
• Asian economies run on efficiency, innovation, and cheap labor
• 1995 report from UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund)
− over 500,000 East Asian children work in factories, beg on streets
• Bank, business bankruptcies in mid-1990s panic foreign investors
− they sell Asian stocks; riots occur; governments topple
• Japan enters recession—an extended decline in business activity
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued}
A Global Ripple Effect
• Many of the world’s economies are interconnected
− Asian economic crisis spreads through the world
− creates concern on New York Stock Exchange, other exchanges
•
Steps are taken to prevent global economic downturn
− World Bank, International Monetary Fund step in
− they lend money to East Asian countries that promise reform
•
The economic downslide begins to reverse
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
Powerful Economies of East Asia {continued}
The Promise of Reform
• Crisis shows East Asia that serious reform is needed
− increased wages for adult workers
− ban on child-labor, forced-labor practices
• Reform also requires an end to using sweatshops
− places where people work long hours in poor conditions for pennies
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Geography
Chapter 29
Case Study
Population and the Quality of Life
What Pressures Does Population Put on the Environment?
BACKGROUND
• Some East Asian countries, cities are among world’s most prosperous
• Japan, South Korea, Taiwan have high incomes, life spans, literacy
• Economies are strong, but today’s problem is managing population
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Geography
Chapter 29
Case Study
Patterns of Population
The Situation at Mid-Century
• In mid-1900s, East Asian nations are among world’s least developed
− poor health, literacy, economic statistics
− widespread poverty, short life expectancy
• High fertility rates, but also high infant and maternal death rates
− in 1950, region’s women marry young, average six children
• Economies remain rural through mid-century
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Geography
Chapter 29
Case Study
Addressing Population Problems
Environmental Stress
• Policy makers know population control is key to solving problems
• Unrestricted population growth strains quality of life, environment
− food production is barely adequate
− lack of sanitation fouls water supplies
− water tables are drained to low levels
• East Asian governments move to prevent catastrophe
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Continued…
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Geography
Chapter 29
Case Study
Addressing Population Problems {continued}
Problems and Policies
• Aggressive family planning programs level, then lower birth rates
− by 2000, region’s women marry later, average 2.5 children
• In China, 1950-55 birth rate was 6.2 children per woman
− drops down to 1.82 children per woman in 2000
Impressive Results
• Drop in birth rate, industrialization lead to fast economic growth
− life expectancy, literacy rates are now among world’s highest
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Geography
Chapter 29
Case Study
The Quality of Life
Some Ongoing Problems
• Region’s huge populations still put pressure on environment
− a 1% growth rate in China equals 13 million people each year
• Population growth is concentrated in cities
− more people require more housing, sanitation, transportation
• Citizens don’t always like family planning programs
− feel China’s one-child-per-family policy compromises rights
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Chapter 29
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