4. Landforms and Climate
• 120 Miles off the coast of Asia
• 15% of land flat enough for farming
• Ring of Fire – Volcanos, earthquakes, and tidal
waves
• Mild climate with plenty of rain
• Island nation = plenty of fish and protection
5. Nature Inspires Japanese Culture
• Expresses love of natural beauty
• Shinto – Traditional religion focused on
respect for nature and ancestors
• Art
• Music
6. Influential Neighbors
• Closest neighbors are China and Korea
• China had the largest influence – Gave Japan
it’s name Nippon “Land of the Rising Sun”
Areas of Influence How Japan Adapted Chinese Influences
Religion Combined Buddhism with traditional
Shinto beliefs
Government Adopted principles of Confucianism
Writing System Used Chinese characters
Arts Employed Chinese techniques and
themes especially in landscape painting
Agriculture Adapted Chinese wet-field rice
cultivation to Japan’s island environment
