JAPAN
Territory - 377.8 thousand square meters. km. Population - 125.2 million people. (1995). The capital is Tokyo.
Geographical location, general information.
Japan is an archipelago country located on four large and almost four thousand small islands, stretching in an arc of 3.5 thousand km from northeast to southwest along the eastern coast of Asia. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The shores of the archipelago are heavily indented and form many bays and bays. The seas and oceans surrounding Japan are of exceptional importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources.
The economic and geographical position of Japan is determined, first of all, by the fact that it is located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes to the country's active participation in the international geographical division of labor.
During the feudal period, Japan was isolated from other countries. After the incomplete bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868, it embarked on the path of rapid capitalist development. At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, it became one of the imperialist powers. In the 20th century, Japan entered and participated in three major wars(Russian-Japanese and two world). After the end of World War II, the armed forces were disbanded and reforms were introduced. In 1947, the emperor lost his powers (according to the constitution); Japan is now a constitutional monarchy. Supreme body state power and the only legislative body is parliament.
Natural conditions and resources.
The geological basis of the archipelago is underwater mountain ranges. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills with highly dissected relief medium height 1600 - 1700 m. There are about 200 volcanoes, 90 active, including highest peak- Fuji volcano (3,776 m). Frequent earthquakes and tsunamis also have a significant impact on the Japanese economy.
The country is poor in mineral resources, but coal, lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, and limestone are mined. The resources of its own deposits are small, so Japan is the largest importer of raw materials.
Despite the small area, the length of the country in the meridional direction has determined the existence on its territory of a unique set of natural conditions: the island of Hokkaido and the north of Honshu are located in the temperate maritime climate zone, the rest of Honshu, the islands of Shikoku and Yushu are in the humid subtropical climate, and the Ryukyu Island is in the humid subtropical climate. tropical climate. Japan is located in an active monsoon zone. The average annual precipitation ranges from 2 - 4 thousand mm.
The soils of Japan are mainly slightly podzolic and peaty, as well as brown forest and red soils. Approximately 2/3 of the territory, mainly mountainous areas, is covered with forests (more than half of the forests are artificial plantations). Coniferous forests predominate in northern Hokkaido, mixed forests in central Honshu and southern Hokkaido, and subtropical monsoon forests in the south.
Japan has many rivers, deep, fast and rapids, unsuitable for navigation, but a source for hydropower and irrigation.
Abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater have a beneficial effect on the development of industry and Agriculture.
In the post-war period, violence intensified on the Japanese Islands. ecological problems. The adoption and implementation of a number of environmental protection laws reduces the level of environmental pollution.
Population.
Japan is one of the top ten countries in the world in terms of population. Japan became the first Asian country to move from the second to the first type of population reproduction. Now the birth rate is 12%, the death rate is 8%. Life expectancy in the country is the highest in the world (76 years for men and 82 years for women).
The population is nationally homogeneous, about 99% are Japanese. Of other nationalities, the Koreans and Chinese are significant in number. The most common religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The population is distributed unevenly across the area. The average density is 330 people per km 2, but the coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean are among the most densely populated in the world.
About 80% of the population lives in cities. 11 cities have millionaires. Keihin's largest urban agglomerations. Hanshin and Chuke merge into the Tokyo metropolis (Takaido) with a population of more than 60 million people.
Farming.
The growth rate of the Japanese economy was one of the highest in the second half of the 20th century. The country has largely undergone a qualitative restructuring of the economy. Japan is at a post-industrial stage of development, which is characterized by highly developed industry, but the most growing area is the non-manufacturing sector (services, finance, R&D).
Although Japan is poor in natural resources and imports raw materials for most industries, it ranks 1-2 in the world in the output of many industries. Industry is mainly concentrated within the Pacific industrial belt.
Electric power industry. Mainly uses imported raw materials. In the structure of the raw material base, oil leads, the share of natural gas, hydropower and nuclear energy, the share of coal is decreasing.
In the electric power industry, 60% of the power comes from thermal power plants and 28% from nuclear power plants, including Fukushima - the most powerful in the world.
Hydroelectric power stations are located in cascades on mountain rivers. Japan ranks fifth in the world in terms of hydroelectric power generation. In resource-poor Japan, alternative energy sources are being actively developed.
Ferrous metallurgy. The country ranks 2nd in the world in terms of steel production. Japan's share in the global ferrous metallurgy market is 23%.
The largest centers, now operating almost entirely on imported raw materials and fuel, are located near Osaka, Tokyo, and Fuji.
Non-ferrous metallurgy. Due to the harmful effects on environment Primary smelting of non-ferrous metals is being reduced. Conversion plants are located in all major industrial centers.
Mechanical engineering. Provides 40% of industrial production. The main sub-sectors among the many developed in Japan are electronics and electrical engineering, radio industry and transport engineering.
Japan firmly ranks first in the world in shipbuilding, specializing in the construction of large-tonnage tankers and dry cargo ships. The main centers of shipbuilding and ship repair are located in the largest ports (Yokohama, Nagasaki, Kobe).
In terms of car production (13 million units per year), Japan also ranks first in the world. The main centers are Toyota, Yokohama, Hiroshima.
The main enterprises of general mechanical engineering are located within the Pacific industrial belt - complex machine tool building and industrial robots in the Tokyo region, metal-intensive equipment - in the Osaka region, machine tool building - in the Nagai region.
The country's share in the world output of the radio-electronic and electrical engineering industries is exceptionally large.
By level of development chemical industry Japan ranks one of the first in the world.
Japan also has developed pulp and paper, light and food industries.
Agriculture Japan remains an important industry, although it contributes about 2% of GNP; the industry employs 6.5% of EAN. Agricultural production is focused on food production (the country provides 70% of its needs for food itself).
13% of the territory is cultivated in the structure of crop production (provides 70% of agricultural products). The leading role is played by the cultivation of rice and vegetables, and gardening is developed. Livestock farming is developing intensively (breeding large cattle, pig farming, poultry farming).
Due to the exceptional place of fish and seafood in the Japanese diet, the country fishes in all areas of the World Ocean, has more than three thousand fishing ports and has the largest fishing fleet (over 400 thousand vessels).
Transport.
All types of transport are developed in Japan with the exception of river and pipeline transport. In terms of cargo transportation volume, the first place belongs to road transport (60%), the second place belongs to sea transport. Role railway transport is declining, while air travel is growing. Due to very active foreign economic relations, Japan has the largest merchant fleet in the world.
Territorial structure of the economy
The territorial structure of the economy is characterized by a combination of two completely various parts. The Pacific belt is the socio-economic core of the country (the “front part”). Here are the main ones industrial areas, ports, transport routes and developed agriculture. The peripheral zone ("back part") includes areas where timber harvesting, livestock raising, mining, hydropower, tourism and recreation are most developed. Despite the regional policy, the smoothing out of territorial imbalances is proceeding rather slowly.
Figure 12. Territorial structure of the Japanese economy.
(to enlarge the image, click on the picture)
Foreign economic relations of Japan.
Japan actively participates in the MRT, foreign trade occupies a leading place, and the export of capital, production, scientific, technical and other ties are also developed.
Japan's share in world imports is about 1/10. Mainly raw materials and fuel are imported.
The country's share in world exports is also more than 1/10. Industrial goods account for 98% of exports.
Figure 13. International trade Japan.(to enlarge the image, click on the picture)
Leading ideas: show the diversity of cultural worlds, models of economic and political development, interconnection and interdependence of countries around the world; and also be convinced of the need for a deep understanding of the laws of social development and the processes that occur in the world.
Basic concepts: Western European (North American) type of transport system, port-industrial complex, "development axis", metropolitan region, industrial belt, "false urbanization", latifundia, ship stations, megalopolis, "technopolis", "growth pole", "growth corridors"; colonial type of industrial structure, monoculture, apartheid, subregion.
Skills and abilities: be able to assess the influence of EGP and GGP, the history of settlement and development, characteristics of the population and labor resources of the region, country on the sectoral and territorial structure of the economy, the level of economic development, the role in the MGRT of the region, country; identify problems and forecast development prospects for the region and country; highlight specific, defining features of individual countries and explain them; find similarities and differences in the population and economy of individual countries and give an explanation for them, draw up and analyze maps and cartograms.
Japan is a small Asian country located on islands. In terms of living standards, it ranks first in the world. How did Japan's resources influence this?
A little about the country
The state is located entirely on the Japanese archipelago, which consists of 6,852 large and small islands. All of them are of either mountainous or volcanic origin, some are uninhabited. The main part of the territory is made up of the four largest cities of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku.
The state is washed by the Japanese, Okhotsk, and East China seas of the Pacific Ocean. Shares a border with Far East Russia, South Korea, China and the Philippines. The local population pronounces the country's name as "Nippon" or "Nippon koku", which is often translated as Country rising sun.
The area of 377,944 square kilometers is home to approximately 127 million people. The capital of Japan - the city of Tokyo - is located in Japan. It is a constitutional-parliamentary monarchy, headed by the emperor.
Forest resources
Forests are Japan's natural resources, of which the country has plenty. They cover more than 65% of the territory. Approximately a third of forests are artificial plantations. More than 2,500 plant species grow in the country. Subtropical forests grow in the southern mountainous regions, coniferous species predominate in the north, and mixed forests are located in the central part.
Tropical vegetation is found on the islands: palm trees, ferns, fruit trees. Sweet potatoes and sugar cane grow on the Ryukyu Islands. Pine, fir, and evergreen oak trees grow in mountainous areas. The country has a large number of endemics, including Japanese cypress and cryptomeria. Here you can see the relict
At the foot of the mountains on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, such as Fuji, broad-leaved forests predominate. At an altitude of more than one kilometer, a zone of alpine bushes begins, which give way to alpine meadows. Vast areas are occupied by bamboo forests grown for furniture production.
Water resources
Japan's natural water resources are represented by an abundance of underwater waters, lakes and rivers. Numerous mountain rivers are quite deep, short and fast. Japanese rivers are not suitable for ferrying ships, but they have found use in hydropower. They are also used to irrigate agricultural land.
The largest rivers are the Shinano, 367 kilometers long, and the Tone, 322 kilometers long, both located on the island of Honshu. Total large rivers 24, including Yoshino (Shikoku Island), Chikugo and Kuma (Kyushu) and others. Different areas are characterized by winter or summer high water, which often leads to floods.
The country has both coastal shallow and deep-water mountain lakes. Some of them, for example Cuttiaro, Tovado, are of volcanic origin. Saroma and Kasumigaura are lagoonal. Japan's largest freshwater lake Biwa (670 sq. km.) is located on the island of Honshu.
Minerals
Japan's natural mineral resources are represented in relatively small quantities. Mostly, they are not enough for the independent development of industry, so the state has to partially cover the shortfall by importing raw materials, such as oil, natural gas, and iron ore.
The country has deposits of sulfur, small reserves of manganese, lead-zinc, copper, silver ore, gold, chromite, iron ore, and barite. Its oil and gas reserves are small. There are small deposits of vanadium, titanium, polymetallic, nickel, lithium, uranium and other ores. In the world, Japan is one of the leaders in iodine production.
Limestones, sands, dolomites and pyrites are contained in significant quantities. The state is rich in iron sands, which have long been used in the manufacture of the famous Japanese steel for blades, knives and swords.
Climate and energy resources
Japan's weather conditions have a favorable effect on the development of agriculture. The length from north to south means that the climate on different islands can vary significantly. In the northern regions it is more severe, in the southern regions, on the contrary, it is soft.
And Kyushu, thanks to the humid monsoon winds and warmth, has a tropical and subtropical climate. Here the harvest period occurs twice a year. Air masses and the currents often contribute to heavy downpours, and in winter bring with them snowfalls. In the northern regions the climate is temperate.
A large number of sunny days, mountainous terrain, the presence of winds and fast mountain rivers create conditions for the development of alternative energy. The nuclear power plant accident in 2011 further pushed the country to take this step. IN Lately In addition to hydropower, the country is developing methods for producing photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind energy.
Natural resources of Japan (table)
Name | Application |
|
mixed, tropical, subtropical, coniferous forests | woodworking, export |
|
mountain rivers (Shinano, Tone, Mimi, Gokase, Yoshino, Chiguko), deep and shallow lakes | hydropower, irrigation, domestic water supply |
|
red soils, yellow soils, brown soils, peaty, slightly podzolic, alluvial soils | cultivation of rice and other grains (wheat, corn, barley), horticulture |
|
Biological | 260 species of mammals, 700 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, 600 species of fish, more than 1000 species of mollusks | Catch of crabs, oysters, shrimps |
Minerals (used mainly with imported raw materials) | a large number of: limestone, sand, dolomite, pyrite, iodine; small: coal, iron ore, nickel, lead, gold, silver, lithium, tungsten, copper, tin, molybdenum, mercury, manganese, barite, chromium, etc. | industry (metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical); energy |
Energy | sea waves, winds, rivers, sunny days | alternative energy |
Conditions and natural resources of Japan (briefly)
Japan is an amazing and picturesque country. There are mountains, forests, rivers and minerals. Nevertheless, economic assessments of Japan's natural conditions and resources usually sound disappointing. The thing is that most of the country's existing resources are difficult or even impossible to use for industrial purposes.
Japan's natural mineral resources are very diverse, but their quantity is too small. Two-thirds of the state's territory is not suitable for agriculture due to its rugged terrain. Many forests growing in the mountains are inaccessible for logging due to the danger of landslides and avalanches. The rivers are completely unsuited for the development of navigation.
It's all relative. Indeed, despite its poor supply of natural resources, Japan manages to skillfully overcome the situation. Large exports of timber, seafood and fish, livestock farming, rice and vegetable production, the development of mechanical engineering and high technology, and alternative energy sources do not allow the country to leave the world's leading position in terms of economic level.
Lesson 5. Political system. Natural conditions and resources. Population
Educational tasks:
1. Introduce the main features of the EGP, problems of using the territory, national composition, population distribution, economic development countries.
2. Develop the ability to compile an economic and geographical profile of the country and use various sources of geographic information.
3. To form moral values and an aesthetic attitude towards the culture of the Japanese people.
Equipment: political and economic maps of Japan, atlases, outline maps, coat of arms, flag.
During the classes
I. Economic and geographical position of the “Land of the Rising Sun”.
Japan is located on four large islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) and more than four thousand small islands. This is a whole island world! Relatively poor in natural resources, Japan is very rich in coastlines. By total length coastline it is comparable to the whole of Africa.
Question: Why is Japan called “the land of the rising sun” (student message).
The ancient name of the country is Yamato. Since ancient times, the Japanese themselves have called their country Nippon or Nihon. This name consists of two hieroglyphs “sun” and “base”. The red sun circle on the Japanese flag and the round chrysanthemum (the national flower of Japan) on the national emblem also symbolize the rising sun.
The capital is Tokyo. The city is located on the largest plain, Kanto. It became the capital in 1869. “Tokyo” is translated as “eastern capital”; Edo Castle used to be there.
The Japanese have always been proud of their capital for being “the best.” Now the question arises about moving the capital. According to experts, the construction of the new capital (a city with a population of 800 thousand people) will take 20 years and cost 20 trillion yen.
Japan's EGP is determined by its island position. The Japanese islands have never been successfully invaded by foreign forces. The Korean Strait, separating the “land of the rising sun” from the Asian mainland, was a serious obstacle for the ancient conquerors. In 1274, the Mongol ruler of China attempted to invade Japan but was repulsed.
In 1281, Kublai Khan again launched a campaign. This time, according to the chroniclers, he planned to place 10,000 ships across the Korean Strait in order to connect them with wooden flooring and send Mongol cavalry across this bridge. However, this gigantic fleet was destroyed by a sudden typhoon, which in Japanese history received the name of the Divine Wind - Kamikaze.
The islands are located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region. This situation opens up very great opportunities for the country’s participation in the international geographical division of labor, including with Russia. No wonder the Japanese proverb says: “A close neighbor is more important than a distant relative.” However, the development of Japanese-Russian relations is hampered by territorial claims to part of the Kuril Islands.
II. Natural conditions and resources.
Japan is a mountainous country. Three quarters of its territory is occupied by mountains. Such features of the relief force us to reclaim suitable economic activity areas of land near the ocean: on artificial islands and peninsulas created as a result of filling shallow waters, airfields, ports, enterprises, residential and administrative complexes are located. The most high point Japan - Mount Fuji. Its height is 3776 m above sea level. Most of mountains of the archipelago - volcanoes; there are 150 of them in total, and 15 of them are active.
The Japanese islands are an area with increased seismic hazard. On average, about one and a half thousand earthquakes occur here every year. various strengths. Strong earthquakes cause significant destruction in cities, in addition, they result in the well-known giant waves - tsunamis.
From March 11 to March 25, 2011, Japan experienced a wave of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 1 to 9. According to eyewitnesses, many cities shook almost constantly. All these earthquakes caused several powerful waves that hit Japan, ranging in height from 3 to a record 10 meters. Got hit by the waves , as a result of which there occurred , which has become the most serious radiation accident after .
These events are called the biggest crisis in Japan since World War II.
Due to frequent earthquakes, Japan has become a world leader in the study and prediction of earthquakes. Discoveries in modern technologies allow the construction of skyscrapers even in seismically active zones.
Other natural hazards are ( 台風 Taifa: ), which come to Japan from .
Minerals
Japan has few mineral resources. occupies a central place in the Japanese mining industry (3.4 million tons of sulfur were extracted in 2010, 6th place in the world) Japan also ranks 2nd in the world in mining (9500 tons in 2015)and 1st place in iodine reserves (5 million tons) In addition, Japan produces small quantities (136.8 thousand barrels per day in 2015, 43rd place) , (167 billion cubic feet in 2014, 21st place), (7.2 tons in 2012, 38th place), (3.58 tons in 2012, 48th place). As of 1976, coal reserves amounted to 8630 million tons; iron ore - 228 million tons; sulfur - 67.6 million tons; manganese ore - 5.4 million tons; lead-zinc ore - 4.7 million tons; oil - 3.8 million tons; copper ore - 2.0 million tons; chromites - 1.0 million tons.
Climate
Japan belongs to a temperature zone with four distinct seasons, but its climate ranges from low temperatures in the north to subtropical temperatures in the south. The climate also depends on seasonal winds, blowing from the continent in winter and in the opposite direction in summer.
Japan can be roughly divided into six climate zones:
It belongs to the zone of low temperatures and is characterized by long frosty winters and cool summers.
IN the northeast seasonal wind brings heavy snowfall in winter. Summers are less warm than in the Pacific Ocean, but sometimes extreme high temperatures are observed due to the phenomenon .
Climate It has a typical island climate with a wide range of temperatures in winter and summer, night and day.
In the zone The climate is temperate due to the mountains in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions blocking seasonal winds.typhoons .
III. Political system.
In 1947, Japan adopted a new Constitution, according to which Japan was declared a constitutional monarchy, an empire. Currently, the emperor of the country is a symbol of the state and the unity of the nation, since all legislative and executive branch belongs to parliament and the cabinet of ministers. By state structure– Japan is a unitary state, it has 47 prefectures and the Governorate of Hokkaido
IV. Population.
In terms of population, Japan is in the top ten, with 127 million people. But at present, natural population growth is decreasing. Japan became the first state to move from type II to type I. Japan is a nation healthy people with the most low rate mortality among children – 4 people per thousand inhabitants and the most high level life expectancy (men – 76 years, women – 82 years). Classes on the basics of family planning are held in high school.
National composition- homogeneous. 99% are Japanese.
The Japanese language is very specific and is not included in any of the language families. The Japanese writing system is also very complex. Even in ancient times, the Japanese borrowed Chinese writing. Studying in a 9-year compulsory school gives knowledge of 1200 hieroglyphs, and in total you need to know about 2000. Japanese texts are read from top to bottom and from right to left.
Japan is a country high culture and complete literacy, where great attention is paid to the education and upbringing of children from early childhood.
In terms of average population density, Japan ranks among the first in the world - 337 people per km2. But the actual population density is higher, since the entire population of the country is concentrated in the coastal lowlands and river valleys. Japan has a high level of urbanization - 76% of the population lives in cities. There are more than 200 large cities in the country, 12 of them are millionaire cities.
Japan is a small state, entirely located on islands. Among them there are 4 large ones (Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu) and many small ones. Let's consider Japan's endowment with natural resources.
Brief introduction to the country
Japan is washed by several seas in the Pacific basin:
- Okhotsky.
- Japanese.
- East China.
The entire territory of this country is located on numerous islands, some of which are of volcanic origin.
Climate and nature
Before conducting an economic assessment of the natural conditions and resources of Japan, let us characterize the climate of this country. It is diverse: the north is characterized by low temperatures, long winters. In the southeast, winters are mild, summers are hot, and there is a large amount of precipitation.
On the coast of the Sea of Japan there is heavy snowfall in winter, but in summer it is quite warm here. The central part is characterized by sharp temperature changes both in winter and summer, and day and night.
Volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes are frequent in this state.
Minerals
Let's begin our consideration of Japan's natural resources by getting acquainted with mineral deposits, of which there are not many here. We present information about what resources are available in this unusual country and what are missing in the table.
Interestingly, Japan, which is generally poor in minerals, is one of the world leaders in iodine production. On the territory of this country there are also small deposits of uranium, vanadium, lithium, titanium ores, and very modest reserves of gold and silver ore.
Japan's natural resources include sands, limestones and pyrites, which have long been used in the production of Japanese steel, famous throughout the world. Surprisingly sharp blades for edged weapons were made from it.
To summarize, mineral wealth is very diverse, but there is little of it, so minerals necessary for industrial development have to be purchased abroad.
Forest wealth
Let's consider the natural conditions and resources of Japan. More than half the area of this island state is occupied by forests, in which more than 2,000 species of flora grow. What kind of plants are these?
- Japan has many mountains in which pine, oak and fir trees grow.
- A variety of coniferous species can be found in the north of the country.
- There are also plants typical of the tropics: ferns, palm trees, and numerous fruit trees.
- Sweet potatoes are found on the territory of the Ryukyu Islands.
However, the country cannot fully provide itself with timber, so timber also has to be imported. Due to the development of agriculture, forest land has shrunk, so trees had to be planted artificially.
Riches of the animal world
Speaking about the natural resources of Japan, it should be mentioned that this country is rich in various species of animals:
- Caresses, raccoon dogs and stoats are found on the island of Hokkaido.
- You can see a black bear in Honshu.
- The south of the country is home to the black hare and an abundance of monkeys.
The seas are more than rich; a large number of commercial fish, crabs, and shellfish are found here. Algae is also abundant.
Earth
The next type of natural resources in Japan that you should pay attention to is soil. The country is entirely covered with mountains, but agriculture is thriving here, so the Japanese manage to almost completely meet their food needs. Only about 30% is imported, which is a fairly high figure for a mountainous island state. What soils are typical for Japan?
- Meadow-swamp and podzolic soils are typical for the northern zones.
- Brown forests - in the south, in temperate regions.
- Red soils and yellow soils are common in the tropics and subtropics.
The Japanese grow rice, wheat, barley, and various types of vegetables. Often the harvest can be obtained twice a year.
Water wealth
On the territory of the country there is great amount small rivers that are not suitable for navigation, but are actively used for irrigating agricultural crops. Due to the fact that the rivers are mountainous and full-flowing, they become sources of hydropower. Japan also has a lot of lakes and groundwater, which generally has a positive effect on the development of agriculture. The country is rich in mineral and thermal springs.
Water resources can bring a lot of problems to the country's residents, since frequent typhoons here are often accompanied by floods.
Modern developments
An assessment of Japan's natural resources suggests that this country is highly dependent on imports. Thus, it is necessary to import minerals and minerals, wood and even food products. To reduce this dependence, the Japanese are working on creating alternative energy sources:
- Sunny.
- One.
- Wind.
Such work is highly effective. The country has all the makings for this: there are many sunny days a year, there are regular winds, there are also enough rivers and lakes on Japanese territory.
Despite the fact that the country as a whole is poor in natural resources, it is one of the strongest economic powers. The Japanese have learned to effectively use the wealth they have. The standard of living here is also very high, the average life expectancy is more than 80 years, and infant mortality is minimal.
The geographical location and landscape features have made Japan a country poor in natural resources. This, however, did not stop her from becoming one of the world leaders. The Japanese purchase everything necessary for the development of industry abroad, and also learn to use the wealth that is located on the territory of the island state.
Japan is an island nation with virtually no oil or natural gas, or many other minerals or natural resources of any value other than timber. It is one of the world's largest importers of coal, liquefied natural gas, and the second largest importer of oil.
Some of the few resources Japan has are titanium and mica.
- Titanium is an expensive metal valued for its strength and lightness. It is mainly used in jet engines, air frames, rocketry and space equipment.
- Mica sheet is used in electronic and electrical equipment processes.
History remembers a time when Japan was a leading copper producer. Today, its huge mines in Ashio, central Honshu and Bessi in Shikoku are depleted and closed. Reserves of iron, lead, zinc, bauxite and other ores are negligible.
Geological research recent years discovered a large number of places potentially rich in minerals. All of them are within the continental plume, which belongs to Japan. Scientists prove that these underwater deposits contain large amounts of gold, silver, manganese, chromium, nickel and others heavy metals used for production various types alloys In particular, vast reserves of methane have been discovered, the extraction of which can meet the country’s needs for 100 years.
Forest resources
The area of Japan is about 372.5 thousand km2, with about 70% of the entire territory being forests. It ranks 4th in the world in terms of forest cover to area ratio after Finland and Laos.
Due to climatic conditions, deciduous and coniferous forests predominate in the land of the rising sun. It should be noted that some of them are planted artificially.
Despite the abundance of timber in the country, due to the historical and cultural characteristics of the nation, Japan often imports timber from other countries.
Land resources
Japan is considered to be highly cultural and technologically advanced developed country, but not at all agricultural. Perhaps the only crop that produces good yields is rice. They are also trying to grow other grains - barley, wheat, sugar, legumes, etc., but they are not able to provide the country’s consumer capacity even by 30%.
Water resources
Mountain streams, merging into waterfalls and rivers, provide the land of the rising sun with not only drinking water, but also electricity. Most of these rivers are turbulent, which makes it possible to place hydroelectric power plants on them. The main waterways of the archipelago include the following rivers:
- Shinano;
- Tone;
- Mimi;
- Gokase;
- Yoshino;
- Chiguko.
We should not forget about the waters washing the shores of the state - the Sea of Japan on one side and Pacific Ocean with another. Thanks to them, the country has become a leading exporter of sea fish.
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