JAPAN

Japan has a distinct island location in east of Asian continent. It has a key role in terms of location in East Asia.
The Japanese archipelago consists of four large islands Hokkaido, Honshu, Shukuko and Kyushu. Moreover,
numerous small islands including Sado that is located in North West of Honshu Island and is the largest. The
total area of Japan is 377,800 Square Km. The proper Japan is located between 30 N and 45 N but Sakhalin is
extended to 50 N. almost all of the country is mountainous, the two separate mountain ranges run in a form of
an arc from Northwest too Southwest. One mountain range runs along the western coast and another is located
along the Eastern coast. Between these two mountains is an internal valley that is more pronounced in
Southwestern part of the country.

POPULATION: Japan is a densely populated country but the population is not evenly distributed. Its total
population is 125.86 million and per Square Km. Population is 331. However, it is worth mentioning that 1/4 of
the area has a population density no more than 2 persons per square Km. Half of the population is concentrated
in plains. These plains cover 1 % of the country. The following four areas have the highest population density
of 16000 persons per square Km.
1- Tokyo, Yokohama
2- Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto
Translated by Syed Yasir Usman, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore.
03340147123, 03004168066 syedyasirusman@gmail.com
3- Nagoya and its proximities
4- Industrial area of Kyushu

The rate of population increase is worth mentioning. In 1879 the population was 3 Crores. In 1974 it was 7
Crores and 9 million. From 1990 to 1995, the rate of population increase was 0.3 percent.

AGRICULTURE: Despite the advancement in the field of industry the agriculture has an important part in the
economy of Japan. Almost 40 % of the total population depends on agriculture. The number of farmers is
decreasing with respect to the population. The major cause of this decrease is the extensive mountainous area.
At individual level the farm size is less than one hectare, compared to Thailand it is 1/4, Germany 1/6, and 1/9
with respect to USA. Intensive farming is practised in the farms. The farms in Japan are mainly small sized and
machines cannot be used in them, but in Hokkaido where there is an extensive area fro agriculture, Tractors are
used. The area under cultivation in Japan is about 6.07 million hectares, which is very low.
According to land use, a Japanese geographer has divided the country in three parts.

1- Central Region
2- Border Region
3- Hokkaido

In central region the central Honshu, Shukuko and Kyushu are included except the southern most areas.
In border areas, those extensive areas are included where population is less dense. The settlements are
dispersed. Most of the area is under forests and cash crops are of more importance.
Hokkaido is divided into two larger parts, Western and Eastern.
Both parts are similar to border areas of Japan. However, western Hokkaido is comparatively densely
populated and Eastern Part has less population.
The salient features of Japanese agriculture are as follows.
1- Intensive agriculture is practised and large populations are gained from little land.
2- Irrigation system is systemized/ regulated. More than half of the agricultural area of Japan is under
irrigation. Rice is the main crop of this area and counts for 52% of the total cultivated area.
3- Multiple cropping, forms 1/3 part of the cultivated area dual crops are yielded.
Translated by Syed Yasir Usman, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore.
03340147123, 03004168066 syedyasirusman@gmail.com
4- Mixed farming is a type of multiple cropping. The crops that can be harvested in the same season are
cultivated in alternative rows. This is practised in the areas where irrigation is not available.
5- Intensive Fertilization
It is of great Importance in Japan compared to the rest of the Asian countries.
CROPS: Overall 40% of the total cultivated area of Japan is covered with Rice. The production of rice in
Japan is more than any country except Italy and Spain. Wheat and Barley rank after the Rice. The area under
cultivation of Wheat and Barley is 23%.
Wheat is cultivated extensively in Japan and the main production areas are located in south of 37 N latitude.
Where it is crop of winter. It is extensively cultivated in Inland sea area and Cantu. Sweet Potatoes and
potatoes are cultivated in 8% of the total cultivated area. White potatoes are cultivated on extensive area. In
Hokkaido is main producer of white Potatoes. Besides these Oats, Rye, Buck Wheat, Maize, Sorghum and
Millet are cultivated especially on highlands and Border areas. Beans and Peas are cultivated in all over Japan.
The area under the cultivation of fruits is the 2% of the total agricultural area. Citrus fruits mainly oranges are
cultivated in Coastal areas of Inland Sea. Many other fruits are grown in Japan. Amoriken area in Akita and
Northern Honshu is famous for the apple orchards. Oil seeds, industrial and fibrous crops are also cultivated in
Japan. Rearing of Silk Worms is source of extra income for Japanese farmers. Mulberry trees are normally
found in the intermontane plains in abundant numbers. Tea plantations are located in Shizuoka ken. Tea is
generally cultivated on the slopes of the highlands. Dairy farming is not of much importance in Japan as the
land is scarce for agriculture.

MINERALS: On the whole Japan is not prosperous in respect of minerals. In metallic minerals, Copper is
most important. The major reserves are in North of Tokyo and in North East, Akita, Tochgi and Abarki Ken
and Aime Ken in Northern Shukuko. Japan can manage the need of the copper from its local production.
Production of Chromite is also sufficient for the local needs. The mines are located in Southern Hokkaido and
Toyoma and Okayoma Ken in central South Honshu. The zinc is also produced according to the local needs. Its
mines are in Awata and Meaglin in Central Honshu. The precious metals of silver and gold are also produced
to meet the local needs. These metals are extracted from Hokkaido to Kyushu from different mines.
Manganese, Nickel, Tungsten, Mobilidinum, Wendium, Cobalt and Titanium are found in limited quantities.
The Iron ore that is the main requirement of the industries is sparsely found in Japan. High quality iron ore is
extracted from Kamaishi and Ayota Kues (Northern Honshu). Japan is a fortunate country in terms of non-
metallic mineral deposits. For example Sulphur, Limestone, Construction stone, Gypsum, Arsenic, Bismuth,
Cadmium, China clay and Beryl. The minerals are found abundantly. Metallic Sulphides and Sulphur deposits
are found in all the islands. Salt is produced at the eastern coasts of Inland Sea. But the production is much less
than the indigenous needs. The production of oil and gas is also low in Japan. The known reserves of Petroleum
are in Nigita, Yamagata and Akita Ken regions of North Honshu. But cannot meet the 15% of the demands of
local population.
The most important source of energy in Japan is coal; the estimate of its reserves is about 12 Billion Tons.
Which is much lower compared to China. ¾ of the total coal reserves is low-grade Bitumus coal; it is not the
type of coal that can be converted into Coke, which is used in Iron and Steel industry. Therefore to meet the
demands of Coke Japan has to depend upon foreign countries.

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY
Hydro Electricity is a source of energy. Japan is a fortunate country in this regard, there are five factors that
play a vital role in generating Hydro-Electricity (1) Abundant Rainfall (2) Fast flowing (3) High Mountains (4)
Physical Facilities/ conditions for water reservoir and (5) Regular flow of water. The first three factors are
present in Japan. The potential Hydro-Electricity generation in Japan is 12 MKW depending that the flow of
water is for duration of six months. There are Hydel power stations in almost every island of Japan but there
Translated by Syed Yasir Usman, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore.
03340147123, 03004168066 syedyasirusman@gmail.com
are many Hydel power plants in central and Northern Honshu. In North Eastern Honshu the power plants pf
Tohoku and Chobo generate the half of the total production of the country. Japan is not rich in power resources
but nuclear energy has fulfilled its need. In 1995, the installed capacity of electricity was 227.0 MKW. While
the production was 989,966 MKWH. 10 private companies supply rest of the 70.5%. In 1995, 10 more nuclear
power plants were installed.

INDUSTRY AND TRADE: About one hundred years ago Japan was an agricultural/agrarian country with
industry limited to small household industry. However, today it stands amongst the most famous industrial
countries of the world. Light industry made a faster progress before Second World War. The trend shifted to
heavy industries in 1930. During the Second World War, the industry made a faster progress. In 1945 when the
Second World War ended, many industries were developed in the country. During last few years, Japan has
made a progress afresh. The development of Japan is composed of Three Stages of Development after Second
World War.
First stage 1945 to 1952; it is considered as constructive stage.
Second stage is of stability that ended until 1952 while Third stage is that of Reorganization and Expansion.
Now the heavy industry is promoted in the country. After 1960 the heavy, chemical and machinery industry
have made a considerable progress, which gives the new vision of Japan. The cotton textile industry has
experienced decline, as there is more emphasis on the heavy industry. Before Second World War the cotton
products were half of the exports. However, in 1959 it was reduced to 30%. During few years, the Metal
industry in Japan is specially advancing. Iron and Steel industry has a special importance. In the industries that
are other than Iron and Steel are Copper, Aluminum, Zinc and Lead. Titanium has much importance in new
metals that is exported to United States and Britain. The standard of Machine industry of Japan is so high that
the machines produced in Japan have an ever-rising demand in other countries. Shipbuilding is much advanced;
the ships built in Japan are seen in Seven Seas. Japanese Cameras, Transistor Radios and Optical instruments
are popular all over the world. Buses, Vehicles, Locomotives and Trains fulfill the needs of many countries.
The Electricity Generators made in Japan enlighten the houses in Asia, Australia, South and North America.
Electronic Appliances have been leading the other industry, T.V. Transistor Radios, Electronic Computers and
other Automatic goods are the products of Japanese electronic Industry.
Every year hundreds of thousand vehicles are produced in the country and this industry is growing at very fast
rate. In motorcycle industry Japan leads all the countries of the world.

FAMOUS INDUSTRIAL AREAS

From the coast of Inland Sea to Tokyo is the Eastern coast of Japan that is a major industrial area of the
country. With\in the distance of one thousand Kilometers from Nagasaki to Tokyo there are numerous
industrial cities.

There are four main Industrial Areas.

(1) Northern Kyushu
(2) Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto
(3) Nagoya
(4) Tokyo, Yokohama

(1) Northern Kyushu

It is important for Iron and Steel Industry, Heavy Industries, Cement and Glassmaking and Chemical
Industries. The Iron ore can be easily imported here from other countries.

Translated by Syed Yasir Usman, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore.
03340147123, 03004168066 syedyasirusman@gmail.com
 (2) Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto

Osaka is the largest industrial center of Japan, Iron and Steel products, Ship building and heavy industries
are not only in Osaka but these are also much important in Kobe. Both these industrial areas are collectively
called Hanshin.

(3) Nagoya

This is a replica of Osaka as it is also located at the gulf end and the products are all the same as in Osaka.
Most of the industries ate Textiles, Automobile and Industrial Machinery.

(4) Tokyo

In this industrial area, many products of different types are manufactured and tendency towards the lighter
industry is greater. The industries of this area are silk textiles, Machinery and Electronics. Further more the
industry of Publishing and many other industries that require more skill are important like Optical
Instruments, and Cameras. Electric power is gained from the nearby mountains.

TRADE:

Major imports of Japan are fuel and edibles. Crude Oil of all kinds, Raw Cotton, Rubber and more than
90% of Raw Iron and Sugar are brought in from other countries.
Major imports are from North East Asian countries, China, U.S.A and Western Europe. In exports the
South East Asian countries, U.S.A. Western European countries and China are important.

Translated by Syed Yasir Usman, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore.
03340147123, 03004168066 syedyasirusman@gmail.com