Conceptual Foundation – Case study

Japan
01
Presenters: 02
Pham Thi Thach Thao – ID BAFNIU17060.
Nguyen Thi Anh Thu – ID BAFNIU17013.
Nguyen Viet Khanh – ID BAFNIU17050.
Chang Nguyen Van Han – ID BAFNIU17049.
01 The content includes
02

1 Special Geographies

2 Less Resources, but Still Strong ?

Physical, Political, Social, Cultural, Human

3 Characteristics
Special geographies support for
Japan’s success.
What are they ?
 Japan
 An island country in East Asia.
 Over 6,800 islands, 4 main islands: Shikoku, Kyushu,
Hokkaido, Honsu .
 Many coastal areas (much more than Viet Nam).
 Shape of Japan: likely “Fragment”, as the Philippines.
Forestry
Fishery
Tourism
Asahi Mountain
Fuji Mountain
LESS RESOURCES
BUT STILL STRONG?

Why Japan has less resources but can

be strong economy?
Geography of Japan
- Japan is scarce in critical
natural resources and has
long been heavily dependent
on imported energy and raw
materials.
- There are small deposits
of coal, oil, iron and
minerals in the Japanese
archipelago.
Geography of Japan
- Nuclear power is a major
domestic source of energy
and produced 9.2 percent of
Japan's electricity.
- Following the 2011 Tōhoku
earthquake and tsunami
disaster in 2011, the nuclear
reactors were shut down.
Thus Japan's industrial
sector became even
more dependent than
before on imported
fossil fuels.
Social
- The world's highest
literacy rate and high
education standards
were major reasons for
Japan's success in
achieving a
technologically
advanced economy.
- Japanese schools also
encouraged discipline,
another benefit in
forming an effective
work force.
 Policy
• Japan developed heavy and
chemical manufactures.

• Japanese government
encourages investment in
capital equipment

• Japan implemented stringent

tariffs and policies to
encourage the people to save
their income.
Culture
- Hard work and work overtime is a highlight
in Japanese working culture
PHYSICAL, POLITICAL,
SOCIAL, CULTURAL,
HUMAN
CHARACTERISTICS
Physical characteristics
- Group of islands
 Physical characteristics
- 73% area is mountainous
- Many volcanoes
- Frequently experience earthquake

Sakurajima Volcano (Kyushu, Japan) Mount Ontake

Physical characteristics
- Climate:
+ Elongated state => climate varies in
different regions
+ mostly temperate zone with subtropical
climate
- Resources: possesses few major natural
resources (gas, oil, coal, etc.)

Japan’s imports in 2018

Political characteristics
- Fragmented state=> hard to be invaded by
foreign military

- Difficult to govern

- Periodically Japanese government closed off

communications

- Used to have border conflict with Russia in 1904

Social characteristics
- Most of areas are
mountainous =>
there aren’t many
good lands for
farming

- Covered by the
Pacific Ocean =>
Japanese people
relied on the sea
Cultural characteristics
- China’s influence:
- + Religion:
Combined Buddhism
with traditional Shinto
beliefs.
- + Writing system:
used Chinese
characters.
- + Arts: employed
Chinese techniques
and themes,
especially in
landscape painting.
Cultural characteristics
- Shintoism: traditional religion based on respect of
nature and ancestors.
- Hands are washed at Shrines as a cleansing
ritual
Human characteristics
- Less natural resources => Japanese become
hardworking, modest and respect their success.
- Suffering many natural disasters => Japanese
are stronger, braver and more patient to come
over the difficulties.
 References
https://blackboard.hcmiu.edu.vn/bbcswebdav/pid-80965-dt-content-rid-
331853_1/courses/PE007IU_2_2018-1902/Chapter%201-
Conceptual%20foundation.pdf
https://loigiaihay.com/dieu-kien-tu-nhien-cua-nhat-ban-c94a11193.html
01 02
https://www.dulichvietnam.com.vn/ghe-tham-10-danh-lam-thang-canh-dep-nhat-
nhat-ban.html
https://japan.net.vn/tim-hieu-nghe-danh-bat-ca-cua-ngu-dan-nhat-ban-1321.htm
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-major-natural-resources-of-
japan.html
http://www.picswalls.com/pic/japan-wallpapers/
https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/
http://developed-markets-research.hktdc.com/business-news/article/Asia-
Pacific/Japan-Market-Profile/mp/en/1/1X000000/1X0AA5TS.htm
https://sites.google.com/a/richland2.org/japan---flemming---foti-6/political-geography
https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/geopolitics-japan-island-power-adrift
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/grj2002/81/5/81_5_279/_pdf/-char/en
https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/20739/Japan.pdf
THANK
YOU