Japan Overview

1
Japan Overview

• SS7H3 The student will analyze continuity and
  change in Southern and Eastern Asia leading to
  the 21st century.
• c. Explain the role of the United States in the
  rebuilding of Japan after WWII.
• SS7E10 The student will describe factors that
  influence economic growth and examine their
  presence or absence in India, China, and Japan.
• a. Explain the relationship between investment in
  human capital (education and training) and gross
  domestic product (GDP).
• b. Explain the relationship between investment in
  capital (factories, machinery, and technology)
  and gross domestic product (GDP).
• c. Describe the role of natural resources in a
  countrys economy.
• d. Describe the role of entrepreneurship.
• SS7E8 The student will analyze different economic
  systems.
• c. Compare and contrast the economic systems in
  China, India, Japan, and North Korea.
• SS7CG7 The student will demonstrate an
  understanding of national governments in Southern
  and Eastern Asia.
• a. Compare and contrast the federal republic of
  The Republic of India, the communist state of The
  Peoples Republic China, and the constitutional
  monarchy of Japan, distinguishing the form of
  leadership and the role of the citizen in terms
  of voting rights and personal freedoms.
• SS7G12 The student will analyze the diverse
  cultures of the people who live in Southern and
  Eastern Asia.
• b. Compare and contrast the prominent religions
  in Southern and Eastern Asia Buddhism, Hinduism,
  Islam, Shintoism and the philosophy of
  Confucianism.

2
Map
3
Warm-up

• In Japan, the prefectures (Japans word for
  states or provinces) do not have any independent
  authority. Instead, they carry out the laws and
  policies of the national government. This is an
  example of what system of government?
• A. Unitary
• B. Confederation
• C. Federal
• D. parliamentary

4
Japanese Government

• The Constitutional Monarchy of Japan
• The Emperor of Japan (head of state) is merely a
  symbol of the state purely ceremonial. This is
  similar to the President of India who is only a
  figure head.
• True executive power resides with the Prime
  Minister (head of government), and the Cabinet of
  Ministers, who are part of the legislative branch
  of government.
• There are universal voting rights for all adult
  Japanese citizens.
• Explanation of Terms
• Chief of state includes the name and title of the
  titular leader of the country who represents the
  state at official and ceremonial functions, but
  who may not be involved with the day-to-day
  activities of the government.
• Head of government includes the name and title of
  the top administrative leader who is designated
  to manage the day-to-day activities of the
  government.
• In the US, the president is both the chief of
  state and the head of government.

5
Government Contd.

• Democratic a government in which the supreme
  power is vested in the people and exercised by
  them directly or indirectly through a system of
  representation usually involving periodically
  held free elections.
• Parliamentary a system of government having the
  real executive power vested in a cabinet composed
  of members of the legislature who are
  individually and collectively responsible to the
  legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by
  the legislature.
• Unitary characterized by or constituting a form
  of government in which power is held by one
  central authority China and Japan are both
  unitary.

6
Why did the US help Japan rebuild after WWII?

• After WWII, U.S. as an occupying power in Japan,
  and the transition of power back to the Japanese
  government.
• In addition to economic reasons, the U.S. was
  also concerned about the emergence of a
  Communist-controlled China.

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Sample CRCT Test Question

• What role did the U.S. play in rebuilding Japan
  after World War II?
• A. Provided free loans.
• B. Helped rebuild Japans army.
• C. Required Japan to pay war damages.
• D. Developed a plan to help Japans economy
  recover.

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Sample CRCT questions

• a national government as well as 28 state
  governments
• the leader of each state legislature's majority
  is appointed governor by the president
• citizens of each state elect state legislatures
• 1. Based on the information above, which term
  identifies India's government?
• A. federal republic
• B. communist state
• C. constitutional monarchy
• D. autocratic confederation
• The emperor holds a ceremonial role as head of
  state
• The prime minister is the head of government
• The governments true power lies with the Prime
  Minister and the Cabinet
• 2. Based on the information above, which term
  identifies Japans government?
• A. federal republic
• B. communist state
• C. constitutional monarchy
• D. autocratic confederation

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Shintoism

• No known date or founder.
• Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan.
• Shinto (together with Buddhism) is intimately
  tied to Japanese society and culture.
• Shinto's relationship with other religions in
  Japan are generally cooperative and harmonious.
• Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or
  spirits.
• Shintoists insist on maintaining their own
  characteristics and inner depth while working
  toward the peaceful coexistence of human beings.
• Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at
  home. Purification rituals.

10
The beautiful Mt. Fuji, a sacred Shinto mountain.
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The most common Shinto symbol, which represents a
torii (shrine gate).
12
Shinto priests in procession.
13
Economy

• Japan
• (1) What to produce?
• Japans economy is primarily market driven with
  supply and demand determining what will be
  produced.
• The few industries that are highly
  government-controlled, such as agriculture, have
  much lower productivity rates than those
  industries controlled by market forces.
• (2) How to produce?
• Private businesses determine their own production
  processes in most of the economy.
• (3) For whom to produce?
• Japans population enjoys a high standard of
  living and creates a strong domestic market for
  goods and services.
• The efficiency of Japans production and its
  reputation for quality products/services has made
  it a major exporter.
• Economy Types Continuum
• Market
  Mixed
  Command

North Korea
Japan
India
China
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Economy Contd.

• Japan is a great example of a country with few
  natural resources that has developed systems of
  production and trade that are so efficient that
  they have been able to develop one of the best
  economies in the world.
• Japan does not have to maintain a large military
  like other nations.

15
Literacy Rate and Growth Rate

• Japan
• Years compulsory Up to Grade 9 (only 4 leave
  school after this grade)
• Literacy Rate 99
• Real growth rate (2007) 2.5
• Capital Investment22.5 of GDP
• Highly developed economies like the USA and Japan
  have smaller growth rates because the size of
  their economies are already so large.
• Japan has the second largest economy in the
  world.