How Modern Japan Is Described in Textbooks around the World
(Select a Country to review excerpts)
Europe ……………
Austria,
France,
Germany,
Switzerland,
UK
Asia ……………… China,
India,
Indonesia,
Korea,
Malaysia,
Russia,
Singapore,
Vietnam
North America ……
Mexico,
USA
South America ……
Brazil
ASIA
India
Title:
Geography
Pages: 278 – 279, & 281
Publisher: Frank Bros. & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., New Delhi, India, 2005
Excerpt:
Introduction
The “Land of the Rising Sun”, densely populated, Japan is the most progressive and highly developed country of Asia. Japan, the seventh most populous nation, has a population of 123.6 million or 2.5% of the world total.
Though its natural resources are negligible, today it ranks second only to the most affluent and productive country of the world, namely the United States of America.
Physical and Political Background
The islands are of volcanic origin and form part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire” subjected to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The insular nature of the country has helped develop the maritime outlook of the Japanese and has fostered interest in fishing, shipping and other maritime activities. In fact, Japan is the greatest fishing nation in the world.
Only one-sixth of the land is available for agriculture...There is a scarcity of minerals and solid fuels. Yet Japan is the most highly industrialized country of Asia with more than 65% of its population today involved in manufacturing industries, such as shipbuilding, textiles, chemicals, machinery, electronics, precision instruments, to name the main ones.
Main Reasons for Japan’s Successful Industrialization
- Japan has utilized its swift flowing rivers to generate HEP for industrialization which has compensated for its lack of coal.
- The large Japanese skilful population provides a ready source of labour.
- Japan has a long, indented coastline with several natural harbours, which have facilitated the import of raw materials, and the export of finished products.
- The proximity of Japan to mainland Asia with its numerous agricultural countries has provided a ready market for finished products.
- Besides, Japan had already established ready markets in Europe and America. There is great demand for Japanese goods, which today excel in quality, are small in size and are technically efficient.
- Japan has utilized its own raw materials to the maximum...Synthetic fibres produced from local timber are much in demand.
- A technically-based educational system and research institute established by a progressive government have resulted in high quality products.
- Japanese workers have willingly accepted automation which has led to efficient and high productivity.
Characteristic Features of the Industries
- Japan’s manufacturing industries have undergone progressive structural changes...The damage to her industrial plants was great during the Second World War, but post-war reconstruction allowed obsolete machinery to be replaced. Since the war development has been mainly in heavy industries.
- Japan’s industrial growth has been rapid...Her economic growth rate since the War is the fastest in the world, surpassing even that of West Germany.
- As an industrial nation, Japan has few raw materials.
- Japan’s industrial products were based on imitation and adaptation. Her people were keen to learn and were determined to do better than the West. Their willingness to borrow Western ideas and to learn from others have resulted in Japan’s spectacular industrial growth...In the pre-war days, Japan was an importer of cars, motorcycles, and electrical goods, but today she is among the foremost producers and exporters of these articles.
