Why is this important?

• We fought against Japan in World War II but now they are one of our closest allies & one of the world’s richest nations.

Less than 70 years

ago

Why else is this important?

• Japanese culture has a large influence on American culture.

Japan

China

Timeout

1. I need lots of volunteers.

2. You will be working as a group to finish a task in a short time.

3. Quickly choose a leader who you think can help you finish.

4. Everybody stand up

• I will show you a map of Japan.• As a group you have 3 minutes to

arrange your bodies into the shape of Japan.

• You must include all 4 major islands!• Listen to the leader!

•GO!

Size and Population

• Japan is slightly smaller in size than California.

• California population: 35 million

• Japan population: 127 million

Location, location, location• Built on a series of islands. • Near China but with Korea in between. • Anything coming from China (inventions, ideas, trade) usually passed through Korea first.

Timeout

• Problem: Only 20% of the land is open for farming.

• Problem: Animals use more land to raise than vegetables.

• Problem: Meat provides protein, a necessary nutrient.

• Look at the map on the next slide and answer and write down how you would handle the problem.

The more red the land, the higher the

elevation (that means there’s mountains!)

The Sea• Japan relied on the sea (ocean) for

food and transportation.• Food: Fish and rice• Transportation: Boats (bridges not

possible at the time)• The sea also kept Japan isolated

(removed from the rest of the world.)