Today’s Schedule – 05/12/10

• CNN Student News• 28.3 Vocab Check• 28.3 PPT: Japan and Koreas Today• HW:– 29.1 Vocab– Study for Chapter 28 Quiz

Japan - Government

• Parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy

• Prime Minister: Hatoyama• Emperor: Akihito

Japan - Agriculture• 11% of Japan is arable and yet 70% of Japan’s

food source comes from Japanese farmers– Highly developed terrace farming– Government subsidies to protect farmers from

outside competition

Japan - Industry

• Began rapid industrialization in the 1950s• Due in large part to a strong work ethic– Long work days and weeks– Companies often provide lifetime employment to

encourage loyalty

Japan – International Economy

• Japan is an export country– Imports raw materials and exports manufactured

goods– Has a trade surplus

• Facing increasing competition from China and South Korea– May require Japan to open itself up to more

foreign competition

Japan – Urban Geography

• Tokyo is the largest urban agglomeration in the world– Extremely high real estate • $1,271 per sq. ft

Japan - Lifestyles

• Small families• Small living spaces• Low birthrate and high life expectancy• Evolving role for women– Becoming more influential

North Korea - Government

• Communist dictatorship under Kim Jong Il• Large military• Command economy• Dominant government– Dictates travel in and out of the country

• Much poverty– Inefficient farming practices– Loss of financial aid from Soviet Union

South Korea - Government

• Democratically elected

South Korea - Economy• Growing– “Asian Tiger”

• Used financial aid from US after Korean War to rebuild country

• Economy is dominated by large family owned businesses

• Recent government reforms have begun to open the country up to foreign competition and investment

South Korea - Urbanization

• Seoul is the capital and largest city

Reunification of Korea

• Although talks among leaders are improving there are many concerns– Damage to South Korea

to reunite with poor North Korea

– Possible use of nuclear weapons by North Korea