Japan is an archipelago located in East Asia with a long history of adopting Chinese culture and a feudal system that centralized power under military rulers called shoguns. In the late 19th century, Japan opened up to Western influence and began a period of modernization that transformed it into an industrial and military power, though this eventually led it to invade other Asian countries and join World War II on the side of the Axis powers. Today Japan has a democratic-constitutional monarchy system of government and a strong economy that remains heavily influenced by both traditional culture and modern Western trends.

1. Geography
• Japan is an archipelago (Chain Of Island )
• It is a small country about size of Montana,
but ranked 7th in the World in total
population.
• Tokyo is the capital city.
• Excellent fishing water, key resources.
• Lacks many natural resources.
• Very mountainous, and located on ring of Fire.

2. Maps of Japan

3. Influence from china
• Buddhism and Chinese culture were
introduced to the Japan around 500 AD.
• Adopted Chinese written language.
• Borrowed many Ideas on government and
ideas of Confucius.
• Art, literature, dress, farming etc were
borrowed from China.

4. Feudalism
• New system of government emerged as a result
of political turmoil in Japan.
• Under this system local lord rule the land, but
owned loyalty to higher lord and emperor.
• Emperor-hereditary position with no real power.
• Shogun: Powerful military commander.
• Damiyo: Powerful land owning nobility.
• Samurai: Warrior.
• Resulted in frequent war.

6. Tokugawa Shogunta
• Centralized the system of feudalism. Bringing
the Daimyo under their control.
• Lasting from 1600-1870 AD, the shoguns
created the peaceful and orderly society.
• Peace allowed Japan to built road, Bridges etc
and thus economy improved.

7. Isolation
• Japan is an island nation, so naturally separated
from the rest of Asia.
• During the 1600s, Japan banned all foreigner
from entering their country.
• Any Japanese who left the country could not
return.
• In 1853, the US sent a fleet commanded by the
Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan to open up
its port to foreign trade.
• Unequal treaties like treaty of kanagawa made
Japanese port open to western nation.

8. Religion
• Shinto- believes all living and non living things
contain spirits, or kami. Linked people to the
forces of nature.
• Buddhism: Arrived in Japan as a result of cultural
diffusion. Divided into different sect, including
Zen Buddhism.
• Confucianism: Strong emphasis placed on filial
piety ( loyalty to parents ) and loyalty to ruler.
• Many Japanese practice both Shinto and
Buddhism.

9. Meji Restoration
• The Japanese felt that the shogun had shown
weakness in allowing foreigners to enter into
the treaties with Japan.
• The damiyo and samurai led a rebellion that
restored the emperor to power in Japan.
• The period from 1868 to 1912 is known as
Meiji Restoration.
• During this time emperor made many changes
that would change Japan forever.

10. Reforms of Meiji Restoration
• Borrowing from the west: Member of the
government travelled abroad to learn about the
western government, economics, technology and
customs.
• Economic Development: developed industries,
Built Factory, Improved port, built road.
• Strong central Government: a constitution gave
the government autocratic power and created a
two house legislature, one of which was elected.
Voting rights were limited.
• Military power: modern army and strong navy.

11. Growth Of Nationalism
• By 1900 Japan had become a modern
Industrialized nation.
• Japan competed with both Chinese and Russian
for influence in Korea. 1895 Japan easily defeated
China and in 1904-05, Japan defeated Russia
Stunning the Western World.
• When Great Depression Hit Japan was also
effected because of their reliance on Trade.
• Extreme Nationalism argued that Japanese
should continue their overseas expansion and
military dictatorship began to emerge.

12. World War II
• In 1937, Japan launched major drive into China and
other Southeast Asian Nation.
• China was a source of raw material and market for
Japanese Goods.
• While Japan was invading China, Germany and Italy
were taking aggressive action in Europe Sparking World
War II
• In 1940 Japan Joined alliance known as axis power with
Germany and Italy.
• On December 7,1941 Japanese planes bombarded
Pearl Harbor destroying battleship and killing 2500
American.

13. World War II
• On August 6, 1945 an American Bomber Enola
Gay, dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
killing 80000 people.
• Still, Japan Refused to Surrender.
• On August 9,1945 another bomb was dropped
on Nagasaki, killing 40000 people.
• Finally on August 14 Japan Surrendered.

14. Hiroshima Before Bombing

15. Hiroshima After Bombing

16. Japan Today
• Traditional Family relationship are still very
much present in Japan.
• Western style and culture have very strong
influence on Japan.
• Relies heavily on Import.
• Representative democracy.
• Very Strong educational system has
encouraged growth and development in
economy.

17. System Of Government.
• Japan has Prime Minister as well as Emperor,
who hails from as imperial family.
• Currently, the name of emperor in Akihito.
• It is a democratic as well as constitutional
monarchy.
• Voting right is given only to the citizen of
Japan whose age is above 20 years.

18. Government Structure
National
Prefectural
Local

19. Political Parties
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
• Currently, the LDP is ruling. It has formed
government on 16 December 2012.
• The current Prime Minister is Shinzō Abe, who
took office on 26 December 2012.
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
• 2 September 2011 to 26 December 2012

20. Government Role in Economy
• Every major decision in Japan is taken by the
bureaucrats.
• The bureaucrats in Japan enjoy royal
treatment even post retirement, they are
being offered a plum job both in government
and the private sector after the retirement.