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Japan

Historical

Map

HISTORY OF JAPAN

Periods of Japanese History

Early Japan until 710

Nara and Heian Periods 710-1192

Kamakura Period 1192-1333

Muromachi Period 1338-1573

Azuchi-Momoyama Period 1573-1603

Edo Period 1603-1868

Meiji Period 1868-1912

Taisho and Early Showa Period 1912-1945

Postwar Period since 1945

According to mythology, Japan's first Emperor Jimmu, a descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, was enthroned in the year 660 BC. While the myths are not considered historically accurate, it is a commonly accepted fact that emperors have reigned over Japan for more than 1500 years, and that they have all descended from the same imperial family.

Despite the fact that the effective power of the emperors was limited or purely symbolic throughout most of Japan's history, all actual rulers, from the Fujiwara and Hojo regents to the Minamoto, Ashikaga and Tokugawashoguns respected the emperor and were keen in having the imperial legitimization for their position as rulers of Japan.

Ninja (忍者) were a type of warrior who specialized in unconventional warfare such as infiltration, sabotage and assassination during the age of the samurai. Another way of calling them is "shinobi", meaning "those who act in stealth". Ninja employed deception and forgery tactics to take opponents out by surprise. Due to their unorthodox methods which contradicted the way of the warrior (bushido), the ninja were not credited with the same honor as the samurai.

The diverse range of skills practiced by the ninja is called ninjutsu - the art of stealth - and includes training in armed combat, weapon techniques, military strategy, meteorology, geometry and breathing synthesis. Ninjutsu was passed down through generations within families or directly from teacher to a selected one or few disciples. This secrecy in part explains why little factual information exists about the ninja, giving rise to lots of stereotyping of them both within Japan and in the West.

Self Defense Force

The postwar constitution prohibits Japan to maintain military forces and to lead war for settling international disputes.Despite the anti-war clause, the National Police Reserve was established in 1950 during the occupation of Japan by the Allied powers (1945-1952) as a replacement for American troops, sent into the Korean War. The National Police Reserve was transformed into the Self Defense Force (SDF) by the Japanese government in 1954.

The Self Defense Force is divided into three branches:

Ground Self Defense Force

Maritime Self Defense Force

Air Self Defense Force

The Self Defense Force's purpose is to preserve peace, public order and Japan's independence and safety. About 6% of the national budget is spent on national defense (2005). Military service is voluntary. The force has about 250,000 members. Supreme commander is the Prime Minister.

Edo Period

In the late 18th century, when Edo was the largest and busiest city in the entire world. There were about 1 million people living in the city itself --that's more than twice as big as Paris or London, which were the two biggest cities in Europe during the 18th century.

The Shogun -- the military leader who rules Japan – does/did his best to ensure that free travel is maintained throughout the country. However, although even the poorest peasant is allowed to travel about the country freely, all of the main roads in and out of Edo are guarded by seki (barriers), where guards stop all travelers to search for troublemakers and check everyone for weapons

The only people who are allowed to enter Edo with weapons are samurai and a few others who have special permission to own a sword. The word "samurai" literally means "warrior", but since there hasn’t been any war in Japan for hundreds of years, the meaning of the word has changed a lot. The samurai are members of the ruling class. In Japan, the society has a strong division into different classes. The ruling class are the samurai. Most people from the samurai class work as government officials, guards, policemen or local authorities, and they serve either the Shogun or one of the local daimyo.

The second class are the farmers, who make up most of the population. The third class are artisans and craftsmen, who make various types of manufactured goods. The lowest class are the merchants and shopkeepers. Although merchants are viewed as the lowest of the four classes, many of them have managed to earn a great deal of money from their trade, and this gives them a certain amount of financial power which offsets their "low class" status.

In distant provinces, the daimyo (local rulers) have quite a bit of independence. They have to obey the Shogun when it comes to important policies, but they have a lot of freedom and control in their local areas. However, once they enter the Kanto region, they are under the firm control of the Shogun.

In the end of the 18th century, external pressure started to be an increasingly important issue, when the Russians first tried to establish trade contacts with Japan without success. They were followed by other European nations and the Americans in the 19th century.

In 1867/68, the Tokugawa era found an end in the Meiji Restoration. The emperor Meiji was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The actual political power was transferred from the Tokugawa Bakufu into the hands of a small group of nobles and former samurai. Like other subjugated Asian nations, the Japanese were forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers

These treaties granted the Westerners one-sided economical and legal advantages in Japan. In order to regain independence from the Europeans and Americans and establish herself as a respected nation in the world, Meiji Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and militarily. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas.

Climate and Environment

Over 3000 islands surrounding Japan Many are volcanic.

Over 150 dormant volcanoes.

73% of Japan is mountain covered.

Japans territory is 1,46,000 sq miles with a small percentage of it being water.

Lies on the temperate zone with four distinct seasons summer, winter, autumn and spring.

High in humidity and rain.

Specialized and endemic bio diversity with 130 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, 73 species of reptiles, 3000 species of fish, 300 species of insects and 6000 species of plants.

Natural Resources

Fishing-Japan accounts for 15% of the global catch..

Forestry -about 65% of the land area is used for forestry. However, the country uses as much as it produces, with high demand for wood and wood products.

Mineral resources – since September 2012 about 6.8 million tonnes of rare mineral such as dysprosium have been discovered in some of Japans Eastern Islands.

Japan - Military History

Meiji Period 1867 – Modernization of Armed Forces

1894-1895 – Sino Japanese War

1895 – Invasion of Taiwan

1904 -1905 – Russo Japanese War

1914 – Taisho Period and World War 1

Showa Period – World War 2

Post World War

1945-1952 U.S occupation to oversee the post-war development.

1945 End of the Imperial Japanese Army

Formation of Japanese Self Defense Force.

Formation of the Jieitai is one of the most technologically advanced armed forces which have aided in a number of non-combat missions.

Political System

History of Japanese Politics

1945

Reconstruction of Japan

1930

Crisis in constitutional policies and Rise of Military Power

1900

Taisho Democracy

1890

Establishment of the Imperial Diet

1889

Evolution of Meiji State

1853

Formation of a Constitutional State

Current Political System

Constitutional Monarchy and Multi party system.

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Blend of modern democratic forms with traditional elitist ties.

Developed into a ruling oligarchy – patriotism, loyalty, development of Japanese industry and population control

Two main parties Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Opposition Democratic party of Japan (DJP).

LDP had dominated since 1955.

History Of Japan’s Economy

16th Century (16th Century) Sophisticated Society with Industrial Technology

Craftsmanship and Metalsmithing

Reluctant to open Sea Trade

Edo Period (1603-1868) Interaction with European Powers

Merchant and banking facilities flourished

Advancement in Science

Prewar Period (1869-1945) Establishment of Meiji Government

Western Education

Industrialization

Modern Japanese Economy

1945

•Post War Economy

1950

•Growth of Manufacturing Sector

1989

•Japanese Bubble

1990

•The lost Decade

2000-present

•Continuing Uncertainty

GDP of Japan

Labor Force

Industries In Japan 1. Agriculture

1.4% of country’s GDP Second Largest agricultural importer in the world

2. Fishery Largest fishing fleets accounts for 15% of global catch.

3. Manufacturing Manufacturing Industries account 24% of GDP High technological development in many fields.

4. Automobile 5. Mining and Petroleum Exploration6. Services

Accounts for about three-quarters of its total economic output. Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation, and telecommunications

7. Tourism Over 8.3 million tourist per year

Japan and Technology Consumer electronics

Robotics

Automotive industry

3rd largest vehicle Manufacturer

Japanese automotive industry is one of the most prominent and largest industries in the world

Nuclear Power

Japan became the third largest nuclear power user in the world with 55 nuclear reactors. These provide 34.5% of Japan's electricity

The Japanese educational system was reformed after World War II. The old 6-5-3-3 system was changed to a 6-3-3-4 system (6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of senior high school and 4 years of University) with reference to the American system. Japan has one of the world's best-educated populations, with 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy.

Traditionally, the Japanese place great importance on the concept of wa, or group harmony. The value of the common greater good is more important than valuing one's own needs. This principle is applied in schools, as well as social groups and, later in life, the workplace.

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Society and Culture Post-World War

Government stress of population control.

1950 legalization of birth control and abortion.

Education expanded – merit based university enrolments

Traditional cultural returns

Western culture adopted –Baseball, dress, music, games shows, soap operas, Game shows etc.

Male authority remained Show dominant.

Japanese culture, particularly traditional Japanese culture has many roots in traditional Chinese culture, however Japanese culture, even historically differed from Chinese culture and due to the separation of the two land masses, plus the enforced periods of isolation from the outside world, further extended the differences between the two cultures.

JAPANESE CULTURE - OCCUPATIONS

Geisha are famous female traditional entertainers, who sing, dance, play traditional Japanese musical instruments and engage their clients with interesting conversation. Today there are still some active Geisha in places such as Kyoto and Kanazawa.

Samurai were a traditio-

nal warrior class in pre-industrial Japan, who were easily recognized as they were the only men allowed to carry two swords. Samurai were committed to a single daimyo (normally a wealthy leader).

JAPANESE CULTURE - FASHION

Japanese fashion isn't just a set of modern fashion trends and sub cultures. Japanese fashion includes many traditional forms of clothing including the kimono and its associated accessories.

The Kimono is the most famous form of traditional Japanese clothing for women. The Kimono is actually a style with many different forms; from the casual to the wedding style, all which have a particular meaning and are wore to different events

or occasions.

JAPANESE CULTURE - MUSIC

Japanese Music is a major part of Japanese culture which spans from the traditional Japanese music and instruments to modern Japanese music including J-POP and Japanese Rock Music.

The Koto is one of the most refined and sophisticated of the traditional Japanese musical instruments. To the western ear the Koto would sound similar to a harp. What is equally amazing about the Koto, is seeing it carried by petite Japanese woman.

JAPANESE CULTURE - FESTIVALS

Bon-Odori Festival is a traditional Japanese summer festival featuring Japanese drum music, dancing and special summer food.

Shichi-Go-San Festival is a traditional Japanese festival where parents celebrate on the fifteenth of November their children growing up as they turn three, five and seven years of age.

Japanese New Year is celebrated at same time of the year as western countries, but is celebrated in a distinctive style. Japanese New Year is an important family time of the year and there are many traditions involved.

Christmas in Japan for most Japanese is a variation on the more commercial style Christmas seen in many western countries. However, there are some Christian Japanese who follow a very old style of celebration.

JAPANESE CULTURE - ARCHITECTURE

Japanese Castles were the key to structure and life of many Japanese cities. This extensive section provides information on over 110 Japanese Castles, including condition, style, history, location and pictures.

Japanese Temples are Buddhist temples found throughout Japan, which date back over one thousand years. There are several Japanese Temples which are World Heritage Sites. This extensive section provides information on almost two hundred Japanese Temples throughout Japan including their style, history, location and pictures.

JAPANESE CULTURE - CEREMONIES

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a highly developed art form, with several different schools or styles of Japanese Tea Ceremony in existence. The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a very formal event in which many exacting steps are followed.

Traditional Japanese weddings ceremonies are normally based on the Japanese Shinto religion ceremony. Traditional Japanese weddings are major occasion with the wearing of traditional Japanese clothing including the bride in the wedding kimono.

R e l i g i o n

Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions.

Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century. T

he two religions have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each other to a certain degree.

Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both.

Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average person typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, may visit a shrine or temple on New Year and participates at local festivals (matsuri), most of which have a religious background.

Language

Japanese is believed to be linked to the Altaic language family, which includes Turkish, Mongolian and other languages, but also shows similarities to Austronesian languages like Polynesian.

Writing:The Japanese writing system consists of three different character sets: Kanji (several thousands of Chinese characters) and Hiragana and Katakana

Pronunciation:In comparison with other languages, Japanese knows relatively few sounds, and pronunciation poses little problems to most learners.

THANK YOU

By Group 1

Samuel Pongen

Cynthia James

Christ University