The document discusses Japan's geography, noting that it is a long, narrow island chain located in the North Pacific Ocean parallel to eastern Asia. Japan is surrounded by seas which historically provided natural protection from foreign invasion. It also describes how throughout Japan there is a mix of old traditions like village life and ancient temples alongside modern aspects like high-speed trains, scuba diving, and nightclubs.
8. Japan’s Geography
• The nation of Japan is a long and narrow island chain situated in the North Pacific Ocean parallel to
the easternmost edge of the Asian continent. Spanning a distance of 2,360 miles northeast to
southwest (from 45 degrees 33 minutes latitude at its northernmost point to 20 degrees 25 minutes
latitude at its southernmost point), the country lies in close proximity to portions of the Soviet
Union, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), the Republic of Korea (South
Korea), and the People's Republic of China.
• The Japanese islands are separated from the Asian continent by the Sea of Okhotsk in the north and
both the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in the west. The Pacific Ocean lies off the southern and
eastern coasts of Japan. The Korean Straits and the Straits of Tsushima separate Japan from the
Asian continent by a distance of 124 miles. In the north, the Soviet Union lies just 186 miles off the
coast of Hokkaido, and some smaller islands are disputed territory between the two countries.
• Historically, these waters have served as a natural geographic barrier between the Japanese
archipelago and Asia. Prior to the modern age, the distance across these waters kept foreign contact
to a minimum and prevented any foreign forces from invading Japan. Mongol attempts in the late
thirteenth century were turned back by kamikaze, divine winds. The American occupation after
World War II was the only instance in the nation's history of a formal occupation of the country.
10. Old & New Throughout Japan
Old
• Village people
• Ancient temples
• Tropical forests
New
• High-speed trains
• Scuba diving
• Night clubs &
restaurants
11. Old & New Throughout Japan
Old
• Village people
• Ancient temples
• Tropical forests
New
• High-speed trains
• Scuba diving
• Night clubs &
restaurants
12. Remember:
• Have a clear, consistent main idea.
• Make your slides easy to read.
• Use images, sounds, video, and text,
together to communicate your main idea.
• Plan & Organize. (Use a graphic organizer!)
