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Japan is made up of more than 3000 islands Population of about 130 million

Japan is made up of more than 3000 islands Population of about 130 million 10-12 mill live in Tokyo 2 nd biggest economy in the world 8 th highest standard of living in the world Japan is called the land of the rising sun. Zen.

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Japan is made up of more than 3000 islands Population of about 130 million

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  1. Japan is made up of more than 3000 islands • Population of about 130 million • 10-12 mill live in Tokyo • 2nd biggest economy in the world • 8th highest standard of living in the world • Japan is called the land of the rising sun

  2. Zen • The Zen school of Buddhism focuses on direct reflection and meditation. • Knowledge and training is passed from a series of teachers to their students. Direct teaching from a master to student is more important than book learning • Zen is simple and nature based, in some ways, similar to Taoism • “Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.”

  3. Shinto • Pre-Buddhist religion of Japan that means “Way of the Gods.” • Shinto believes in forces or spirits (kami) that live in all things, man and nature are not separate • Practice and action are more important than words in Shinto. Purity and cleanliness are important to Shinto. So is the honoring of one’s ancestors • Shinto denies a heaven or hell, spirits of the dead are not removed from our world, there is no difference. • There are complex rituals and customs in Shinto • “The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form.”

  4. Tokugawa Era • Japanese Samurai stopped war and unified the nation • Japan closed to west • Japan was at peace • Focused on its culture and rituals • Also called the Edo Period

  5. Meiji era opens Japan up to the world • Direct response to the arrival of the US Navy in Japan • Japan modernizes • Samurai give up political power • “Save the nation, strengthen the military.” • Russo-Japanese War makes Japan a world power • Samurai give up their power and special rights

  6. After WWII • Japan is obliterated • Emperor declares that the people must accept occupation • New constitution renounces war and brings full democracy to Japan • Rights of women are strengthened. • Japan is rebuilt as a solid Asian ally of the USA. Barefoot Gen, Maga about the bombing of Hiroshima

  7. Modern Japan • Full democracy restored after war • Today, 3rd largest economy in the world • Constitution renounces using war in foreign policy • The emperor has no political power • Japan did sent troops to Iraq in 2003, the first time they sent troops to another nation since WWII

  8. Economics • 1950-90’s “Japanese Miracle” growth of 5-10% a year • Least few year, much slower, but still major powerhouse • 22% of exports end up in the USA • “Salary Men” work brutal hours in return for life time employment • 1990’s were called a lost decade due to low economic growth, high debt and a housing bubble that burst. • Many youth in Japan feel there is no hope of having the same high standard of living as the previous generations have had

  9. Companies • The Nenko System is the habit of promoting people based on seniority • Amakudari system means business leaders are close with the Japanese government • Lifetime employment is the norm, but it calls for sacrificing family time for the good of the company • Karoshi-death from overwork • Freeter-underemployed Gen X and Millennials who still live with family • Toyota recalls are shaking the Japanese business world. • Japan does not outsource many jobs, but pressure from Chinese and Korean companies may change that

  10. The People • One of the highest life expectancies in the world • Very low birth rate, aging population. Cost of living is very high • Close to 130 million people in Japan • Pop might drop to 100 mill by 2050 and 65 mill by 2100 • Tokyo has about 12 mill people • Space is at a premium and most homes are very small by our standards • Japan is still very hostile to immigration, despite an aging population

  11. School • Most teens in Japan go to high schools similar to the ones in the USA • School tests are hard and demanding. Families put importance on standardized tests • About half of all teens go to after school schools called “Juku” • Universities have low acceptance levels, making high tests scores even more important than in the USA • Junior colleges, voc schools and training schools are also found.

  12. Sport • Baseball became a professional sport in the 1930’s • Martial arts like karate, akido and sumo wrestling are more traditional • Many Japanese players in MLB • Soccer and pro wrestling are also very popular

  13. Education • Schools are tough and demanding • High schools are competitive and national tests are hard • Japanese kids score high on international tests • High school is lecture based • Respect for teachers and administrators in expected • Japanese universities are easy by nature due to the attitude that kids deserve a more relaxed education after the demands of high school • Teen suicide rates are high roughly twice as high as the USA • Teen rebellion and resentment to the pressures of schooling is more common

  14. Anime • Highly stylized animation that deals with issues like, war, science, evolution, spirituality, superheroes. • Large eyes are an influence of American animation like Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop • Dramatic facial expressions are standard • Many have more adult themes

  15. Movies • Japan has a thriving cinematic tradition • Many Hollywood films are adaptations of J-horror films • J-horror is inspired by traditional ghost stories of the Edo and Meiji periods of Japanese culture • The US classic western, The Magnificent 7, was inspired by the classic Japanese movie, Seven Samurai

  16. Problems • Japanese institutions and organizations are often closed and inward looking. In a poll conducted by the Prime Minister's Office in 1995, more than half of the respondents felt that women had not achieved equality in the workplace. • “Hikikomori" (roughly, "pull inside") is a teenager, young adult, or sometimes an adult into his or her 30s and 40s who will rarely or ever leave the home or even the bedroom for an extended period (months, years, or indefinitely). • Many people find it hard to get a permanent job and float from temp to temp work • Many young people are pushing marriage and parenthood back due to the high cost of living. • Stationing of US troops on the island of Okinawa • Competition from China and S. Korea

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