Japan

     Locate Japan on the map. Which seas and oceans is it washed by? Which ocean currents flow  off its shores? Determine the lati­ tudes of the north and south extremities of the Japanese Islands.
2. Use the maps in your Atlas to speak on the natural features of  Japan.  Name  its minerals.
Japan is an Asiatic state which consists of four large and a great number of smaller islands.

Fig. 122. Eating with chopsticks.
Japanese women dressed in their traditional   garment, the kimono, are sitting, on cushions at a low table.

Japan is a seafaring nation. Communications between the various! islands and other countries are maintained by sea. Its shores are! richly indented, and the many bays make excellent harbours. Unlike many other Asiatic countries which were formerly either colonies or dependencies, Japan, as far back as the beginning of the 19th century, became a powerful capitalist country and had colonial possessions of its own (Korea, South Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands and others). After her defeat in World War II Japan lost all her colonies.
Japan outnumbers the larger countries of Western Europe, both in quantity of population (over 95,000,000) and in density of popu­lation (255 persons to the square kilometre). Most densely populated is the southern part of the country.
The climate is mild and Japanese houses, therefore, are light. Their walls often consist of sliding frames pasted with thick paper which divide the house into small rooms. There are no stoves. Bra­ziers with hot coals are used instead. There is almosWno furniture The floors are covered with clean mats and shoes are taken off before entering the house. The Japanese usually eat at low tables, sitting on mats or on small cushions (Fig. 122). Such houses can better resist the frequent earthquakes. There are some large houses in the towns, but these are of very solid construction.
Japan produces quite a large quantity of cast iron and steel, cop­per, zinc and aluminium. It manufactures various machines: railway engines and carriages, aircraft, motor-cars and ships. The chemical industry is highly developed, producing fertilizers, high-grade paper, dyes and artificial textiles. The large cotton mills manufacture tex­tiles sufficient for home needs and export as well.

Fig. 123. Tokyo: A busy market street. On the right are Japanese women in national costume.
Japanese workers receive very low wages and live under hard con­ditions. Child-labour is widely employed.
The rural population is engaged in agriculture. The peasants are forced to work extremely hard on their tiny plots of land, since ma­chines are few.
On the watered lands rice is the main crop. Rice occupies a most important place in the diet of the Japanese. Many different dishes are prepared from it. The poorer sections of the population cannot afford rice, however, and eat barley instead.
Fishing is of great importance. The waters around Japan are rich in fish. This trade is practised not only close to the shores but far out 1o sea, and many herring, salmon and other fish are caught.
The capital of Japan is T o k y o, a very large city numbering 10,000,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the eastern coast of the island of Honshu. Tokyo is a great port and industrial centre.
Questions and Assignments.

• What are the common features and points of difference in the
  geographical positions of Japan and Great Britain?
• Mark and name on the outline map the islands of Japan and
  its capital.
• Speak on the life and economic activities of the Japanese
  people.