location

http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/PGES/instruction/kid-pages/islands/japan/location.html


Japan lies off the east coast of Asia and has four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It has a total land area of 143,818 miles. On its west boundary is the Sea of Japan; and on its east and south boundary is the Pacific Ocean.

hotel capsules

http://www.yesicanusechopsticks.com/capsule/

Buttons on the left control and set the alarm clock.
Left switch turns on the TV. Right turns on the light. Knob is dimmer.
Bottom knob is volume, black button beside it changes the channel.

economy question answer

For three decades, Japan's overall real economic growth had been high: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and a 4% average in the 1980s.[4] Sliding stock and real estate prices marked the end of the "Japanese asset price bubble" of the late 1980s, and ushered in a decade of stagnant economic growth. These problems may have been exacerbated by domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Real GDP in Japan grew at an average of roughly 1.5% yearly between 1991-1999, compared to growth in the 1980s of about 4% per year. Growth in Japan throughout the 1990s was slower than growth in other major industrial nations, and the same as in France and Germany. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met with little success and were further hampered in 2000 to 2001 by the slowing of the global economy.[5] However, GDP per worker has increased steadily even through the nineties, growing at 2.0% per year in 2003 and 2004, and 2.8 percent in 2005. In 2008, due to the global financial crisis, the economy of Japan was strongly hit and shrank 0.7% and is expected to shrink some 5% in 2009.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Japan

picture

http://images.forbestraveler.com/media/photos/inspirations/2007/04/Asian-Malls-03-g.jpg

picture

http://www.photopassjapan.com/tokyo_scenes_2/image110.html

map

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/flood_risk/flood_atlas/countries/images/japan.gif

pictures

http://inventorspot.com/articles/six_startling_scenes_overcrowded_6802

shopping

Shopping in Tokyo is a fun thing to do. You can easily find Japanese traditional items and the latest goods in Tokyo. The cost of living in Tokyo can be expensive, but there are many places you can shop inexpensively. Stop by a 100yen shop near you. Daiso is a popular 100 shop chain.

Shopping hours in Japan is usually from 10 or 11 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. Most stores are open weekends and holidays except some specialty stores. In Japan, you need to pay 5% consumption tax in addition to the price. Japanese department stores are fun places to shop. They carry many kinds of traditional Japanese goods as well as the latest fashions. Check out the store sales, which are usually held in July, August, December, and January. Food floors in department stores are called "depachika" and are filled with world gourmet food and Japanese regional specialties. Also visiting flea markets in Tokyo might be fun.

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/tokyoshopping/a/shoppingintokyo.htm

yen compared to a dollar

95.6 yen is American Dollars.

To make it easier, you just round to 100 so 5 american dollars is like 500 yen.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081111173606AAIfsYm

clothing

This article is about traditional clothing in Japan. Although this traditional clothing described below is still seen at traditional festivals and ceremonies, western-style clothing is more commonly worn in daily life by both men and women. Japanese clothing is styled to fit the seasons; for instance in autumn people will wear clothes with fall colors and fall patterns. In the spring, stand-out colors and spring floral patterned Japanese clothing is worn. During the winter, those wearing kimono tend to wear darker colors and may wear up to 10 layers of clothing. Especially at festivals and parades, people wear clothing like kimonos in Japan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_clothing

jobs and work

As of 2001, Japan's shrinking labor force consisted of some 67 million workers.^[72] Japan has a low unemployment rate, around 4%. Japan's GDP per hour worked is the world's 19th highest as of 2007.^[73] Big Mac Index shows that Japanese workers get the highest salary per hour in the world. Some of the largest enterprises in Japan include Toyota, Nintendo, NTT DoCoMo, Canon, Honda, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Sony, Nippon Steel, Tepco, Mitsubishi and 711.^[74] It is home to some of the world's largest banks, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (known for its Nikkei 225 and Topix indices) stands as the second largest in the world by market capitalization.^[75] Japan is home to 326 companies from the Forbes Global 2000 or 16.3% (as of 2006).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Demographics

waste in japan good info.

As for the burnables: the trucks dump their loads of trash into chutes that lead to one of three gigantic concrete waste pits (15,000m3). An equally gigantic claw then grabs about six truck's worth of trash and drops it into the incinerator. The resulting ash goes through a process that converts it into a non-toxic sand-like material then used for paving city roads. The incinerator heat is used to create enough electricity to run the entire plant's operation, with the leftover sold back to the city (32,000kw). Finally, the smoke seems to be treated pretty thoroughly, using such things as a bagfilter, heated dechlorination system, wet gas scrubber, gas reheater, and a selective catalyst reactor before they let it out the smoke stack. As I said, a lot of "meaningless" facts to the uneducated waster, but since I was told that Japan has some of the strictest pollution regulations in the world, I was happy to learn that this plant exceeded all of them.
All garbage smell is kept inside the waste pits and dumping docks, with virtually no smell leaking to the outside. All other areas inside the building are more or less air tight, a fact I found just amazing. But as I look back at the picture of the spotless control room I now notice that the workers there were all wearing slippers (!) so that the carpeted floors would stay free from dirt and grime that would be tracked in by their shoes

1. Decrease the amount of waste as far as possible (Reduce)
2. Use over and over as far as possible (Reuse)
3. When items cannot be reused, use them as raw material (Recycle)
4. Even when waste materials are incinerated, use the heat generated by incineration for power generation (thermal recycling)
5. In case none of the above is possible, dispose of waste material in an appropriate manner

http://www.newcolonist.com/osaka_waste.html

trash and waste in japan

In Japan, garbage is basically separated into burnable, non burnable and recyclable items. At least two kinds of liter boxes can, therefore, be found in most households and in public places. The exact definition of what is burnable, non burnable and recyclable depends on the municipality.

Garbage collection days and hours depend on the area you live in. Signs in the neighborhood inform residents about the weekdays on which what type of garbage is collected. Burnable garbage is usually collected on two or three days during the week, while non burnable garbage is usually collected once a week.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2222.html

transportation

There are service workers who actually push you on the train because there is not enough space. The trains are overcrowded. many people use trains or walking for transportation.

jobs in Japan

Jobs in Japan - Traditionally, Japan has had strict laws regarding the employment of foreigners, although exceptions were made for certain occupational categories. Excepted categories have included executives and managers engaged in commercial activities, full-time scholars associated with research and education institutions, professional entertainers, engineers and others specializing in advanced technology, foreign-language teachers, and others with special skills unavailable among Japanese nationals.

The most common jobs available for foreigners in Japan are English teaching jobs. English teachers are well paid and accommodation, flights and health insurance is often included in the benefits package.

http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/jobs-in-japan.html

trash in Japan

In Japan, garbage is basically separated into burnable, non burnable and recyclable items. At least two kinds of liter boxes can, therefore, be found in most households and in public places. The exact definition of what is burnable, non burnable and recyclable depends on the municipality.

Garbage collection days and hours depend on the area you live in. Signs in the neighborhood inform residents about the weekdays on which what type of garbage is collected. Burnable garbage is usually collected on two or three days during the week, while non burnable garbage is usually collected once a week.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2222.html

economy

Government bonds fell, sending 10-year yields one basis point higher to 1.29 percent at 12:20 p.m. in Tokyo. The yen traded at 89.82, unchanged from late yesterday and weaker than the eight-month high of 88.01 reached on Oct. 7.

http://information.com/link?url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news%3fpid=20601087&sid=a_jsUBH352fg&keyword=economy%20in%20japan&cat=1&brand=1&title=Japan&%2339%3bs%20Economy%20Shrank%20Record%2015.2%25%20Last%20Quarter%20(Update2%20...&desc=

economy

The economy of Japan is the second largest economy in the world,^[1] after the United States at around US$5 trillion in terms of nominal GDP^[1] and third after the United States and People's Republic of China when adjusted for purchasing power parity.^[2] The workers of Japan rank 18th in the world in GDP per hour worked as of 2006.^[3] The Big Mac Index shows that the wages in Tokyo are the highest among principal cities in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Japan

economy

In October 2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009 marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html

economy+population

The economy will not be able to get enough skilled work force for its manufacturing and services sectors. Labour would become costlier, increasing the cost of production. There will be more elders to tend, straining the medical and pension systems. The social sector expenditure by the Government will have to increase. By 2025, it is expected that there will be two dependents for every three workers. A drastic fall indeed from 1:12 in the year 1950. The dwindling work force would also result in lower purchasing power and reduced demand for goods and services. The domestic market will shrink, production will fall, as will the Government’s revenue, forcing it to manage higher medical and pension expenses with a lower income.

The demand for all the goods consumed by children will fall. Also, the demand for goods consumed by adults at the behest of children would also fall. Who will sell and buy all the chocolates, and confectioneries, schoolbooks and pen and pencils, toys, games? Where will the amusement parks and sports clubs look for their customers? Already there is talk that a number of schools have been closed for want of enough children. The whole situation would get into a vicious circle of low demand and lower supplies.

http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles/Japans-population.asp

economy in Japan, China

http://thesouthasianidea.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/is-overpopulation-the-cause-of-poverty/

Japan and China both have relatively small endowments of such land while the latter has the largest population in the world. Yet Japan, despite its relative lack of natural resources, is amongst the richest countries in the world. And China has been recording very high economic growth rates for many years lifting millions of its people out of poverty. The simple proposition fails to explain much of what has been going on in these two countries either.

good facts

• Japan gets hit by more than one thousand earthquakes every year. Most of them are minor, but some cause serious damage.
• Every year, Japanese schools hold sports festivals (undokai) in which students compete in various sports, races, and other activities. During these competitions, all of the students wear matching baseball caps.
• Sumo wrestlers eat huge meals to gain weight so they can topple the opponent in the ring. The elaborate ceremonies before the match are usually longer than the actual competition.
• Following World War II, Japan adopted a constitution that doesn’t allow the country to have an army.
• Karaoke singing is a favorite way to spend free time.
• Small pets such as fish, dogs (small breeds such as Chihuahuas or toy poodles) and stag beetles (large beetles with jaws that look like antlers) are popular.
• Japan has some 400,000 robots—more than any other country in the world. They work in factories, hospitals, and rescue operations.

• In the past five years, the number of Japanese over one hundred years old has doubled to more than 20,000.

http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/kids_country.php?contid=3&wmn=Asia&cid=26&cn=Japan

good facts

Mount Fuji, located west of Tokyo on Honshu Island, is Japan's highest point, with an elevation of 12,388 feet (3,776 meters). Japan has one of the world's largest economies even though it has few natural resources and must import most raw materials. Japanese weddings can be elaborate and expensive. Marriage ceremonies usually take place in hotels. Baseball is Japan's most popular sport.

pie chart about land use

http://www.international.ucla.edu/eas/japan/geography/landuse2.htm

Use Share of Japan's Land Forest 66% Agricultural 14% Other 8% Residential 4% Water (lakes, canals, rivers) 4% Roads 3% Wilderness 1%

japans economy

Japan is the second richest country in the world. but in the past 2 years the money has decreased a bit. Japan lost about 40 billion U.S. dollars in 2007.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_economy_of_Japan_like&alreadyAsked=1&rtitle=Economy_in_Japan

hotel capsules in japan

http://information.com/link?url=http://www.insidejapantours.com/content-151/&keyword=%20hotel%20capsules%20in%20japan&cat=1&brand=1&title=Capsule%20Hotels%20in%20Japan&desc=

Capsule Hotels were invented in the 1970s by the Japanese architect Kurokawa Kisho who modified a shipping container to make a space-saving one-man room complete with TV, radio and alarm clock. The original aim of the design was to provide very economical housing for businessmen who would work in central Tokyo during the week before returning home to their wives and families in the surrounding countryside at weekends.

The first ever capsule hotel building built for actual use is to be found in the Ginza area of Tokyo. Designed by Kurokawa and completed in 1972 the The Nagakin Capsule Tower (pictured below, right) is 14 stories high with 140 capsules all clustered around two cores, each with a diagonally sloping roof and pointed top. This doesn't make a lot of sense until you actually see the building with it's bizarre exterior of crate like rooms stacked at curious angles on top of one another.

Today's capsules are every different each measuring about two metres by one metre by one metre and but still retaining the radio/alarm clocks and TVs which often show nothing besides adult movies at a rate of 100 yen for 5 minutes. The hotels are vast with many hundreds of capsules providing convenient beds for those drunken business men who didn't quite make the last train home. Each floor tends to have large bathhouses and the salaryman banter can be quite entertaining as they scrub up and sober up. If you pay one a visit for a night you are sure to strike up some interesting conversations! Some capsule hotels also have separate floors for women although this is not common.

flag of japan

http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=3&wmn=Asia&cid=82&cn=Japan

The flag of Japan, most recently adopted on 13 August 1999, is called Hinomaru, or “the Rising Sun.” Inspired by Japan's beautiful ocean sunrises, the flag's design uses a large red circle to depict the sun.

information about climate

http://go.grolier.com/

In japan, the summers are cool and the winters are cold and long.
It gets warmer in the south. Tokyo averages 3° C (38° F) in January. It gets very cold in the winter.
Certain places have more harsh weather than others- northeast coast gets more winter precipitation than other places in japan.

The average amount of precipitation so inches, per year.
(the mountains can receive up to 100 inches)
The ocean and rainstorms makes moisture and mist in the air.

FACT:
Typhoons occur from late August to early October.

info. about mountains

About 75% of Japan's land is mountainous and too steep for easy cultivation and settlement. The principal mountain ranges follow fault lines of great geologic complexity. There several peaks rise to more than 3,050 m (10,000 ft).

Information from http://go.grolier.com/