4 Group March 27th, 2008
Topography
Japan is a beautiful island country with mountains, volcanoes, beaches, and valleys.
Japans focal society is located on the main island of Honshu. The industrial society of Japans only national language is Japanese. The Japanese word for Japan is Nippon, which means the suns origin.
Legend has it that the creation of Japan can be attributed to the sun goddess, from whom the emperors were descended. The first was Jimmu, who ascended the throne in 660 B.C., the official tradition until 1945. Around 400 A.D., the Yamato clan conquered other family groups in central and western Japan. Coming in contact with Koreans introduced the Japanese to Buddism. In 700, they set up an imperial court that closely resembled Chinas. Warrior clans, known as the samurai, appointed a shogun (military dictator) in 1192 and it continued for the next 700 years. In 1542, a Portuguese ship that was off course sailed into Japanese waters. English, more Portuguese, and Spanish ships followed. The government feared a Japanese revolt and cut off all trade until 1853. The shogun system was abolished in 1868, when the emperor Meiji came to the throne.
Parliamentary government was formed in 1889. Then, the Japanese started trying to extend their empire. Japan acquired Formosa (Taiwan), the Pescadores Islands, and part of southern Manchuria, after a war with China from 1894-1895. From 19041905, Japan fought Russia in the Russo-Japanese War, where they acquired the territory of southern Sakhalin (Karafuto). The Treaty of Versailles then awarded Japan a mandate over the islands that they conquered during World War II.
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, launching attack on the United States and bringing them into World War II. Eventually, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which caused Japan to admit their defeat. The US received Okinawa and several other Pacific Islands, that they returned to Japan in 1972. Post war economic growth continued until the 1970s-1980s when Japan became the second-largest economy in the world. Then, during the 1990s, scandals proved to be a huge downfall for economic growth. In 2001 Japan appointed Junichiro Koizumi, the 11th prime minister in 13 years. Today, Yasuo Fukuda is the prime minister of Japan.
The Japanese society has experienced colonialism and conquest during their history. Their culture has been affected by cultures of other societies, for example, Koreans introduced Buddhism to them. Overall, the culture of the Japanese is unique and very important to them.
Infant Mortality: 2.6 per 1000 births Rate of Population Growth
Birth Rate: 1.26
-0.02 in 2005, 0.1 in 2006 Due to programs like Angel Plan and New Angel Plan Abortion Lowest in the world Shoshika Causes
Workplace discrimination Marriage stereotypes
Migration
Internal: Move to rural areas, commute to work. External
1.97 million foreign nationals in 2004 1.7 million in 2000 Students from South Korea/China Entertainers from the Phillipines Closed to those seeking asylum.
Well educated and industrious workforce 4% Unemployment Characterized by lifetime employment Recently large corporations have attempted to move away from some norms Aging Population and increasing percentage of women employees (40%)
Leading in Electronic, Machinery and Biomedical Research 3rd largest research budget, $130 million Leads the world in automobile and robot production
Two main religions are Buddhism and Shinto Most do not consider themselves just one religion but incorporate elements of both religions into their daily lives (syncretism) Shinto is the oldest religion of Japan Buddhism was introduced in the 6th century Two minority religions important in Japanese history are Confucianism and Taoism
Shinto is the indigenous faith of Japan Made its state religion during the Meiji Period but after World War II it was separated from the state A type of polytheism- worship of kami (god, deity) Kami can be spirits in the form of concepts important to human life like wind, rain, fertility, or trees Humans can also become kami after they die and are kept in shrines Takamagahara High Celestial Place is where major heavenly divinities live
Shrines are the principle places of public worship Glorification and reverence for nature-natural objects can be regarded as kami Faith based on Four Affirmations: tradition and family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and Matsuri After death one becomes a ujiko family spirit Emphasis on purification rituals
Introduced in 6th century from contact with China and Korea after opening of Silk road
First welcomes by nobles and not readily accepted by common people 91 million Japanese are Buddhist
Consists of teachings of Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha Japan mostly practices Mahayana, Greater Vehicle Buddhism
Divided into three periods: Nara, Heian, Kamakura to modern Modern Japanese practice Amidist (Pure Land) schools, Zen, Shingon, and Nichiren Buddhism
Many people consider themselves both Buddhist and Shintoist Religion does not have a large part in daily lives
Major holidays: New Years (Shinto) and Obon (Buddhist)
Life cycle events marked by visits to Shinto shrines Weddings often Christian or Shinto funerals usually performed by Buddhist priest
Buddhism and Shinto are the two main religions in Japan
Both have coexisted together for over fifteen centuries. Syncretism: Due to the presence of both religions over time, the teachings of both are intertwined in present-day Japan.
One couple may practice Shinto at home and have a funeral at
a Buddhist temple.
Today religion does not play a major role in everyday life.
Shinto means way of the gods Shin: gods/spirits To: philosophical way Native religion of Japan Animist-like worship of nature Indigenous: originated prehistorically Has no holy book, canon, founder, and preaching is very uncommon
Polytheistic
Kami: these are the gods that take shape of important things or ideas in life (ie wind, sun, fertility, weird looking rock)
Shrine: place of worship and home of the kami
Priests perform rituals and live here
Three distinct forms of Shinto
Shrine Shinto most prominent and oldest form Sect Shinto 13 groups formed during the 19th century that perform rituals and meet in meeting halls rather than shrines Folk Shinto practices and beliefs mainly derived from local traditions
Introduced to Japan in 6th century AD from Korea Religion consists of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, or BUDDHA Mahayana Buddhism (Greater Vehicle) branch found in Japan
Main aspect: Dharma the ultimate truth attained through Buddhas teachings Mahayana focuses on digging deeper into Dharma These principles are followed in daily life
Over 90 million Japanese profess Mahayana Buddhist faith
Important sects have been established over course of history Jodo Sect (1175 AD): straightforward themes based on idea that any person can achieve salvation Zen Sect (1191 AD): stresses Enlightenment through meditation & discipline Nichiren Sect (1253 AD): known for intolerance towards other sects. All above sects still have millions of followers today Due to the widespread acceptance of both Shintoism and Buddhism, many Japanese are not devout. Buddhist funerals are common
Christianity around 3 million followers Islam around 60,000 Hinduism small minority composed mainly of
immigrants
Judaism 600 Americans and Europeans Ryukyuan beliefs of Ryukyuans of the Ryukyu Islands
south of the main islands
Confucianism and Taoism, both Chinese in origin, have influence Japanese thought through history
Confucianism: derived from teachings of ancient Chinese philosopher Government: Confucius
influenced idea of moral, benevolent government Society: established hierarchal order of status Family: humanity and filial piety are major influences in family life and
national identity
Taoism: philosophy that emphasizes harmony between humans and nature
Teachings of harmony w/ nature and avoidance of duality have influenced
Zen Buddhism Folk medicines and rituals have been derived from Taoism
For centuries Buddhism and Shintoism coexisted without conflict 1868 Meiji Revolution Emperor Meiji established State Shinto with shrines ruled by government Quasi theocracy WWII: Government forced citizens to practice State Shinto Emperor was to be seen as divine Opposition was persecuted 1945 US abolished State Shinto Today: Japans constitution states that citizens are free to practice any religion
Parliamentary Representative Democratic Monarchy
Emperor & Imperial Household National Government Located in Tokyo
Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch
Local Governments divided into regions
Emperor is head of Imperial Household of Japan Once the leader of Japan; now symbol of state and unity of people
Performs ceremonial duties Holds no real power Much like Britain Akihito current Emperor
National Diet two branches
House of Representatives of Japan (lower house)
480 members
300 elected from single member districts; 180 from party list Very powerful: presents and passes legislation
House of Councillors (upper house)
242 members
146 elected from 47 multi-candidate districts; 96 elected from national party list Less powerful receives bill and has option of rejecting, passing, or amending it.
Prime Minister head of branch/government
Appointed by emperor under direction of Diet Remains in office unless House of Reps. adopts motion of no confidence or votes down a motion of confidence
Cabinet appointed/dismissed at will of the Prime Minister
14 members: head respective ministries Basically extension of Prime Minister: very little authority like US
Laws are made final by executive branch In charge of conducting foreign affairs
Independent of other branches
4 tiers: Supreme Court is the highest
Supreme Court
15 justices including one Chief Justice
All appointed by the Cabinet
Ultimate authority to interpret Constitution Has power of Judicial Review of passed legislation
Not as willing as US Supreme Court to make final rulings on laws
Japan divided into 47 prefectures or administrative districts
1 metropolitan: Tokyo 2 urban: Kyoto & Osaka 43 rural 1 circuit: Hokkaido
Each are ruled by directly elected governor and single-chamber parliament Japan: unitary system
Local governments receive funding from Tokyo = little power for local governments
Since WWII: Dominant-party system
Liberal Democratic Party
Other parties (National Diet)
Democratic Party of Japan (leader of opposition) Komeito: conservative, theocratic (Buddhist) Japanese Communist Party Social Democratic Party Currently the LDP holds 38% of the seats in the House of Representatives while the DPJ controls about 40% of the House of Councillors
2007: Dark year for Japan
Many issues of fraud
Mainly with food: beef mince actually pork;
cakes and sweets sold to tourists found to be long overdue
Executive scandals
Prime Minister Abe stepped after only one
year in office due to disapproval One minister committed suicide amidst a corruption scandal Another minister resigned after appearing at a press conference with facial injuries
Rise in crime
Gang-related crime has increased Mayor of
Nagasaki was assassinated
Before Western Influence
Education for the wealthier families Temple Schools Male (50%) female (20%) education
After Western Influence
Extremely high literacy rate Strong emphasis on science and education High standards for education
Public < Private Schools Elementary
Less than 1% About 4% About 24%
Junior High
Senior High
Kindergarten is optional but over 50% of Japanese attend
Private
1st grade at age 6 6 years/grades in this level Uniforms Standard
3 years/grades in this level (12-15 years old) Cram Schools (Juku) usually attended after school Foreign language instruction Class in 1 room Required club activities
Teachers Room
Non-compulsory
More than 94% of students still attend
3 years/grades in this level Neither public nor private is free Entrance Exam!
No school buses Remove your outdoor shoes Lunch held in classroom Students brush their teeth after eating Students clean the schools!
Japanese Kinship
More than 60% of ...