quick look on invaluable Japanese culture (1) geographic specialities

Delicate distance to the continent

Japan is an ocean country surrounded by sea. Tushima Strait and Soya strait have about 50km width which separate the Japanese islands from the Eurasia continent but , at the same time, enable people in the islands to reach the continent by a small vessel even in ancient days.

Thanks to these delicate distances, Japan have never lost freedom to select at it’s discretion suitable cultures and techniques among various influences and informatins from the continent. It is due to this geographic specialties that makes Japan to develop it’s own invaluable cultures.

6^th largest EEZ with fluent livings

Since total land area of Japan is 380,000square km which is ranked 66^th in the world, Japan tend to be mentioned as a small country. However it has 4000km length from north to south and Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) is ranked 6^thlargestin the world.

Unfortunately human civilizations tended to destroy woods and nature, however Japan has been successfully keeping woods and trees in healthy condition throughout the history. Total wood area occupies 67% of total land which is double of world average percentage and the second biggest share after Finland among OECD countries.

Most parts of Japan islands belong to Temperate Zone, however southern part belongs to subtropical zone, while northern part belongs to subarctic zone. Cold current and warm current meet at the offshore of the islands. It has four apparently different climate seasons and also it is exposed to lots of active volcanoes, earthquakes ,typhoons. By being exposed to these changes and natural disturbances, Japanese ecosystem is enjoying a wide range of fluent livings.

Respect not only human-being but everything

Since Japanese people have been appreciating these natural phenomenon, they have developed the folk customs that spirits lie not only livings but also in anything. And also they have developed the Invaluable theory called “sannsen soumoku shikkai joubutsu “ which means not only human-beings but everything can become Buddha.

At ancient ruins it is rare to find weapons. Japan basically has been enjoying peaceful and orderly society. It has neither occupied any country or been occupied by any other country until early 20^th century.

Among these circumstances, she has developed unique national features, such as reliable relation between authority and people, respecting public interest than private interest, holding back personal rights, trusting other countries without having any doubt, and so on.

(wikipedia)