Japan Robert Pataky Flag Japan Geography Capital Tokyo
Japan Robert Pataky
Flag
Japan
Geography � Capital: Tokyo � Located in East Asia � Japan is an archipelago made of 4 main islands, surrounded by 4, 000 smaller islands � Mostly mountainous, with large cities positioned along the coast
History � Until 1853, Japan had a strict policy of isolation � In 1853, the United States sent over Matthew Perry to negotiate a treaty to open Japan to the outside world � In 1947, Japan adopted a new constitution � Japan is currently a constitutional monarch
Japanese People Ø Population: Ø Ethnicity: 127. 5 million Ø 99% Japanese Ø. 5% Chinese Ø. 5% Korean Ø Language: Japanese Ø Practice a combination of Shinto and Buddhism Ø Shinto: stresses an individuals relationship with nature and its many Gods, also honor for elders and superiors
Holidays � New Year’s: Ø Celebrated the last few days of December until the 3 rd of January Ø Families visit shrines of loved ones Ø Golden week: Ø Week long celebration, April 29 th until May 5 th Ø Showa day: April 29 th Ø Constitution day: May 3 rd Ø Greenery day: May 4 th Ø Children's day: May 5 th
Education � Japan has a high literacy rate ØThe male and female literacy rate is 99% Ø Education is free and compulsory from age 6 until 15 Ø The idea of be accepted into a prestigious school is more important than the overall performance Ø The school year begins in April and ends in March
Education Continued � School levels: Ø Elementary school: 1 st grade until 6 th grade Ø Middle school: 7 th grade until 9 th grade Ø High school: 10 th grade through 12 th grade Ø 46% of all Japanese students graduating high School go to college
Names � The first name follows the last name � Only close friends and young children are addressed by there first name � Japanese students may refer to there teacher as Sensei ØThis title is used for someone with a higher education, such as doctors and teachers
Non Verbal Communication � In Japan individuals must know how read non verbal clues to sense others feelings and emotions � Bowing: ØThe lower the bow the more respect a person has for the person they are bowing to Ø This may been seen as a desire to be vague or incomplete Ø Teachers can try to develop away to allow for the development of verbal skills
Group oriented � Japanese society places loyalty to a group above personal feelings and needs � Japanese students will not do what's best for them when working in groups or team sports, instead will do what's best for the whole group � This can prevent Japanese students from reaching success
Conformity � Conformity is essential to a harmonious society � Conformity should be seen in appearance, and the way they act � When a Japanese student enters the American school system they may feel lost because conformity is not seen as much in America
Social Behaviors � Yawning in public is impolite � In a classroom Japanese students must sit up straight with both feet on the ground � Japanese students may point with their entire hand rather than the index finger out of politeness
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