Questions and Answers
Japan is nearly _______________________ as densely populated as the United States.
10 times
What are the major islands of Japan?
Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Which of the following is the best definition of arable land?
Why does Japan often experience earthquakes?
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What factor best explains why Japanese families live in smaller homes than Americans?
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How do you calculate a country's physiologic population density?
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What is Japan's main megalopolis?
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What are the passenger 'bullet trains' of Japan called?
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To what are parking garages in Japan often compared?
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What does it mean for a family to be considered a 'nuclear family'?
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How do architects and builders in Japan address the earthquake problem?
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What environmental problem occurred at Minamata Bay in the 1950s?
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What is Japan's 'Chernobyl' accident?
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Which environmental issues does Japan face today?
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How have many fields in Japan been created?
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What statement is true about life expectancy in Japan?
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How is Japan's population distribution similar to that of the rest of the world?
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Why does Tokyo struggle with waste management?
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How has Japan addressed waste management challenges in densely populated areas?
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Study Notes
Population Density in Japan
- In 2017, Japan's population density was 899 persons per square mile, significantly higher than the U.S. density of 92 persons per square mile.
- Japan is nearly 10 times as densely populated as the United States, indicating intense urban settlement.
Geography and Land Usage
- Japan is an archipelago consisting of four major islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
- Less than one-fifth of Japan's land is arable, meaning that it is suitable for farming.
Natural Disasters and Housing
- Japan frequently experiences earthquakes due to its proximity to a geological fault where tectonic plates converge.
- The scarcity of land for construction leads Japanese families to live in smaller homes compared to American families.
Population Metrics
- Physiologic population density is calculated by dividing the total population by the area of arable land.
- Japan's main megalopolis is the Tokyo-Yokohama Corridor, reflecting high population concentrations.
Transportation and Urban Development
- Shinkansen trains, or bullet trains, operate at speeds up to nearly 200 mph, exemplifying advanced transportation infrastructure.
- Parking facilities in Japan are often likened to giant shoe cabinets due to severe parking space limitations.
Family Structures
- Most Japanese families are nuclear families, consisting solely of parents and their children.
Earthquake Preparedness
- Earthquake-resistant construction techniques enable the establishment of tall buildings that can endure seismic activity.
Environmental Challenges
- The 1950s crisis at Minamata Bay involved mercury pollution, causing numerous illnesses and over a thousand deaths.
- The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster resulted from an earthquake and tsunami, leading to widespread radiation release and forcing over 400,000 evacuations.
Current Environmental Issues
- Japan faces significant environmental challenges, including acid rain, water pollution, and nuclear contamination, stemming from industrial activities and natural disasters.
- Many agricultural fields in Japan are created through terracing hillsides, adapting to limited flat land.
Health and Waste Management
- Japan has one of the highest life expectancies globally, with a person born in 2018 expected to live to be 84 years old.
- Most of Japan's population lives near coastlines, similar to global patterns.
- Despite generating less waste per person than global averages, Tokyo's waste management struggles due to limited disposal space, prompting the development of extensive recycling systems.
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Description
Explore the unique aspects of population density in Japan, including its comparison with the United States. Learn about Japan's geography, land usage, and the effects of natural disasters on housing. This quiz will cover key metrics that define Japan's demographic landscape.
