UNIVERSIDAD DE LAS NACIONES

FINAL TEST

JAPAN
ENGLISH

OSCAR VAZQUEZ GONZALEZ

LAW
Universidad De Las Naciones, Veracruz, Ver. 25 de Marzo del 2020
 CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
KIMONO AND YUKATA
The kimono and the yukata are the two most important traditional Japanese
statues. Kimonos are made of silk and are usually very expensive, so they are
used only on special occasions, such as a formality or tradition. Some of the
occasions when these costumes are worn may be at funerals, weddings, tea
ceremonies, and other festivities, although on rare occasions the kimono may also
be seen in everyday life.

The color and design of each kimono also depends on the occasion, age, and
marital status of the woman. Thus, wearing a kimono often becomes a task not as
simple as any dress can mean, since the kimono must be accompanied by the
appropriate hairstyle, underwear, and socks, as well as a small bag in which the
lady will place her belongings.

THE TEA CEREMONY

Each group has its own drink and the sacred moment to consume it. For the
Japanese, the tea ceremony is essential. It consists of the preparation and
consumption of tea, having been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Nowadays,
the tea ceremony has become much less important and is often considered more
as a kind of hobby. Tea, which must be prepared by the host with great care and
dedication and then served to visitors, is matcha green tea, made from crushed
and ground tea leaves.

SUMO WRESTLING
We all know sumo wrestling, it is a unique type of wrestling in the world that was
invented by the Japanese, as ceremonious as it is spectacular. Its origin dates
back to ancient times, when Japanese warriors fought each other to entertain the
gods and thus keep them in harmony with human beings. The fight is based on a
basic rule: the warrior who touches the ground with something other than his feet
or leaves the ring, loses, giving the victory to his opponent.

Warriors weigh hundreds of kilos and train all their lives to increase both their
strength and their body weight. It is the traditional sport par excellence and the
oldest in Japan. Along with modern baseball, of course, sumo wrestling and
baseball are the country's most important and popular sports.
 ECONOMY
Japan's economy is the third largest in the world, after the United States and
China. Cooperation between government and industry, the Japanese tradition of
hard work and mastery of technology have led Japan to the economic success it
enjoys today in less than half a century

The strategic sectors of the Japanese economy are manufactured products and
technology, especially vehicles, electronics and the steel industry. However,
agriculture in Japan is quite inefficient by today's standards and receives many
state subsidies. The finance sector is currently developing strongly due in large
part to its currency, the yen, which is the third most traded currency after the US
dollar and the euro.

CURRENCY
The currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen, normally symbolized by ¥. Yen is
derived from the Japanese word "Yen" which means "round object" or "circle". The
currency code for the Japanese Yen is JPY. The Osaka Mint Bureau is responsible
for the minting, control, and circulation of the Japanese currency. Japanese Yen is
the most heavily traded currency in Asia and among the most traded currencies in
the world’s foreign exchange markets. This is attributed to the currency’s relatively
low-interest rates compared to other currencies like the Australian dollar and the
US dollar.

HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE YEN

The minting of silver and gold coins called the WadoKaichin began in the 8th
century. The coins resembled Chinese coins. However, at some point, Japan was
unable to produce its own coins. Therefore, they began purchasing the Chinese
currency for their own use. However, before long the supply of the Chinese coins
could not meet the ever-increasing demand by the locals for business purposes.
As such, Japan employed the services of a private company to mint more coins.
The coins were injected into the Japanese economy and used between the 14th
and 16th centuries. The two coins were named Toraisen and Shichusen.
In the 15th century, the government started producing Koshu Kins which were
silver and gold coins. It later established a uniform monetary system made up of
gold, silver, and copper coins. In the 19th Century, in addition to the Koshu Kins
coins, Japanese locals could also use the Spanish dollars. The government
introduced the Yen in 1871. It was a strategy of centralizing the various coins that
existed at the time. The value of the Yen was steady until the end of World War II
when it depreciated. Subsequently, in 1971, the Yen was pegged to the US dollar
at a fixed exchange rate of 308 Japanese Yen per every 1 US dollar. The
Japanese Yen operated at fixed rate until 1973 when the government resorted to a
floating exchange rate.

POLICY
Japan is a constitutional monarchy, and a sovereign state by which the power of
the Emperor is very limited. As a decorative ceremonial figure, the constitution
defines him as "the symbol of the state and the unity of the people". Executive
power is mainly exercised by the Prime Minister and his cabinet, while sovereignty
is vested in the Japanese people. The Constitution of Japan is the oldest
unamended constitution in the world. It has not changed since its adoption on May
3, 1947

is a parliamentary democracy, the people do not vote for a president, but for the
members of parliament, who in turn vote for a prime minister from among their
number. How long a prime minister stays in office depends on how long he or she
can maintain the support of the majority of parliament, which can be many years or
just a few months.

FLORA AND FAUNA

FLORA
About 4,000 to 6,000 species of plants occur naturally in Japan. Vegetation varies
greatly from subtropical forest in the south to coniferous forest in the north

In the subtropical zone there are mangroves, cycads and tree ferns. In the
temperate and warm climate of Kyūshū, Shikoku and the southwest of Honshū, the
dominant vegetation is the evergreen broad-leaved forest with many oaks. In the
north Honshū and southwest Hokkaidō the climate is cool temperate with broad-
leaved deciduous trees including Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) and oaks such
as konara (Quercus serrata).

BAMBOO
Grows abundantly in Japan with about 400 to 500 different species, including the
dwarf bamboos known as sasa and the taller types called tace, which can reach 20
meters in height.

Many plants have been introduced to Japan from the Asian continent, including
important crops such as rice and garden plants such as chrysanthemums. Since
the Meiji Restoration, an increasing number of plants have come from Europe,
North America, and elsewhere. Native food plants include water celery (Oenanthe
javanica) and wasabi (Wasabia japonica).

FAUNA
There are about 130 types of land mammals and more than 600 species of birds.

Wild Tanuki on Sensuijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture. Tanuki are a kind of

raccoon dog that can be found in most of Japan. Folklore says they can change
shape to take on human form, or to disguise themselves as everyday objects.

WILD BOAR
Wild boar are found throughout Japan, except on the northern island of Hokkaido.

SQUIRRELS
A red squirrel on the island of Hokkaido, northern Japan. This is the same species
of red squirrel that is found in Europe - its range extends across Asia, but in reality,
the red squirrels of Japan are more gray than red

MARTA CIBELINA
In the past, martens were found all over Hokkaido, but now they only live in
forested areas in the north and east of the island.

RED VILLAGE
Japanese folklore attributes great wisdom and powerful magic to foxes, particularly
the ability to take on human form. They are sometimes devious, but more often
they are faithful friends, or even lovers. If you believe that someone you know
might be a fox in disguise, you could observe their true form by looking at their
reflection in a mirror or in their shadow.
 GASTRONOMY
Traditional Japanese cuisine is dominated by white rice. White rice is usually used
as a side dish for all meals to accompany the main course. A traditional Japanese
breakfast consists of a soup of miso (miso shiru), rice, and a pickled vegetable.
The most common meal, however, is called ichijū-sansai ("one soup, three side
dishes") with a different preparation technique for each. The three side dishes are
usually raw fish (sashimi), a grilled dish, and a simmered dish Tempura - fried
vegetables, seafood, or meat. (You can also make a variety scramble called
kakiage , Teriyaki - grilled, broiled or pan-fried meat, fish, chicken or vegetables
glazed with sweetened soy sauce, Ramen - thin yellow noodles served in hot broth
with various toppings; being of Chinese origin, it is popular and common in Japan.

SASHIMI
Sashimi is raw food, sliced into thin slices and served with a dipping sauce and
simple garnishes. It is usually fish or crustaceans, or beef.

SUSHI
Sushi is rice in vinegar accompanied or mixed with various fresh ingredients,
usually fish or seafood.

- N IGIRIZUSHI - sushi with the ingredients on a block of rice

- M AKIZUSHI - translates as "sushi rolls"; it is the type in which rice and seafood or
other ingredients are placed on a seaweed (nori) and rolled like cylinders on a
bamboo mat and then cut into smaller pieces.
 HISTORY
Japan has been shaped by both its isolation as an island nation and its proximity to
the massive Asian continent (particularly Korea and China). During times of
openness, the country has absorbed ideas and cultures from abroad; in times of
retreat, it has incubated its own way of doing things. Together, these trends
created the fascinating Japan we know today – as has its times of power struggle,
aggression, defeat and resurrection.

NATURAL WEALTHS
Japan has virtually no oil or natural gas, and few other minerals or natural
resources that have any value other than timber.
 The high cost of resources drained the Japanese treasury in 2008. About ¥18
trillion flowed out of the country, 3.5 percent of Japan's GNP, for resources. Most of
it was for oil, coal and natural gas. Large amounts of iron and other metals were
also imported.
 Among the few resources that Japan does have are titanium and sheet mica.
Titanium is an expensive metal prized for its strength and lightness. It is used
mostly in jet engines, air frames, and space and missile applications. It is produced
in the Ukraine, Russia, Kazakstan, Japan, the U.S., the United Kingdom and
China.
 Sheet mica is used in electronic and electrical equipment processes. The main
sources are in India, Belgium, Brazil, and Japan. The U.S. doesn't have any.