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"Economy of Japan". Japan Plan: Natural Resources. Agriculture. Economy of Japan. Industry of Japan. Automotive industry in Japan. Agriculture of Japan - presentation. Agriculture of Japan Agriculture of Japan presentation

Industry.

In recent decades, Japan has emerged as one of the leading economic powers, the second largest national economic power in the world. Japan's population is approximately 2.3% of the global population, but accounts for about 16% of the gross world product (GWP) at current exchange rates and 7.7% at the purchasing power of the yen. Its economic potential is equal to 61% of the American, but in terms of production per capita, it exceeds the American level. Japan accounts for 70% of the total product East Asia, its gross domestic product (GDP), measured at current exchange rates, is four times China's GDP. She has achieved high technical excellence, especially in certain areas of advanced technology. Japan's current position in the world economy is the result of its economic development in the second half of the last century. In 1938, it accounted for only 3% of the VMF.

In Japan, black and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical and food industries. Although Japan is the largest importer of raw materials for most of these industries, nevertheless, in terms of the output of many industries, the country often ranks 1-2 in the world. Moreover, the industry is concentrated mainly within the Pacific industrial belt (13% of the country's territory produces almost 80% of industrial products).

I. Metallurgy has undergone major changes in recent years. Instead of many outdated factories, powerful factories were built, equipped with the latest technology... Not having enough of its raw material base, Japan is guided by the import of iron ore and coking coal. Malaysia and Canada have been and remain major suppliers of iron ore. The main suppliers of coal are the USA, Australia; to a lesser extent - India and Canada. Japan ranks second in the world for the production of refined copper, after the United States. Deposits of polymetallic ores form the basis for the development of zinc and lead production.

II. The energy industry in Japan focuses primarily on imported raw materials (mainly oil and oil products). Oil imports amount to over 200 million tons (own production of 0.5 million tons in 1997). The share of coal in consumption is decreasing, the share of natural gas(imported in reduced form). The role of hydropower and nuclear energy is growing. Japan has a powerful electric power industry. Over 60% of the capacity is accounted for by thermal power plants (the largest by 4 million kW). A nuclear power plant has been under construction since the mid-60s. Currently, over 20 nuclear power plants operate on imported raw materials (more than 40 power units). They provide about 30% of the electricity. The country has built the most powerful nuclear power plants in the world (including Fukushima - 10 power units).

III. Japan's shipbuilding industry is very diverse: the world's largest supertankers and other ships are leaving the shipyards of Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Nagasaki and many other shipbuilding centers. Shipbuilding specializes in the construction of large-capacity tankers and bulk carriers. The total tonnage of ships built in Japan is 40% of the world tonnage. In shipbuilding, the country firmly ranks first in the world (2nd place - the Republic of Korea). Shipbuilding and ship repair facilities are located throughout the country. The main centers are located in the largest ports (Yokohama, Nagasaki).

IV. The production of non-ferrous metals is material and energy intensive. They are classified as “environmentally dirty” industries, therefore, a significant reorganization of the industry has been carried out. In the last decade alone, the smelting of non-ferrous metals has decreased by 20 times. Converting factories are located in almost all large industrial centers.

V. Mechanical engineering in Japan includes many industries (shipbuilding, automotive, general mechanical engineering, instrument making, radio electronics, aerospace). A number of large factories heavy machine building, machine tool building, production of equipment for light and food industries. But the main industries were electronics, radio, and transport engineering.

1) For the production of cars (13 million units per year) in last years Japan also ranks first in the world (industry products account for 20% of Japanese exports). The most important centers of the industry are Toyota (Nagasaki region), Yokohama, Hiroshima.

2) The main enterprises of general mechanical engineering are located within the Pacific industrial belt: in the Tokyo region - complex machine-tool construction, industrial robots; in Osaka - metal-consuming equipment (near the centers of ferrous metallurgy); in the Nagoya region - machine-tool building, production of equipment for other industries.

3) Enterprises of the radio-electronic and electrical engineering industries are guided by centers with a qualification labor force, with a well-developed transport system, with a developed scientific and technical base. In the early 90s, Japan accounted for over 60% of the production of industrial robots, ½ of CNC machines and pure ceramic products, and 60 to 90% of the production of certain types of microprocessors in the world. Japan maintains a leading position in consumer electronics and electronic equipment manufacturing. The country's share in the world production of color televisions (including production at foreign enterprises of Japanese companies is more than 60%, video recorders - 90%, etc.). The products of knowledge-intensive industries account for about 15% of the total volume industrial production Japan. And in general, for mechanical engineering products - about 40%.

Table 3.1

12 largest conglomerates (industrial and financial groups) in Japan (1999 data)

The number of corporations included in the 500 world Annual Sales ($ Billion) Assets (USD billion) Employed (thousand) Shta6-apartment
1 Mitsubishi 7 105,1 124,6 272.2 Tokyo
2 "Toyota" 2 84,0 77,6 116,2 Nagoya
3 "Matsushita" 2 66,0 84,3 280,0 Osaka
4 "Hitachi" 2 65,1 81,3 341,0 Tokyo
5 "Nippon Steel" 5 59.1 78,2 99,8 Tokyo
6 "Nissin" 3 57,0 67,9 155,1 Tokyo
7 Fuji 4 52,9 62,1 226,3 Tokyo
8 "Sumntomo" 6 43.8 56,0 120,5 Osaka
9 "Toshiba" 1 37,5 49,3 173,0 Tokyo
10 "Dan Ichi" 6 33,4 39,3 104,3 Tokyo
11 Honda 1 33,4 26,4 90,9 Tokyo
12 "Sony" 1 31.5 39,7 126,0 Tokyo

4) Enterprises of the oil refining and chemical industries gravitate towards the main centers of the Pacific industrial belt - in the Tokyo agglomeration of the Alan industrial belt. In the Tokyo metropolitan area (Kawasaki, Chiba, Yokohama), in the Osaka and Nagoya regions, enterprises use imported raw materials. In terms of the level of development of the chemical industry, Japan occupies one of the first places in the world.

5) The pulp and paper industry is also developed in Japan.

6) Retains not a little the importance of the light and food industries. However, competition from developing countries is growing in many types of labor-intensive light industry production (due to the cheapness of labor in other countries).

Vi. Another important traditional branch of Japanese industry is fishing. In terms of fish catch, Japan is one of the first in the world. There are more than 3 thousand fishing ports in the country. The rich and varied fauna of the coastal seas contributed to the development of not only fishing, but also the mari culture. Fish and seafood occupy a very large place in the Japanese diet. The pearl industry is also developed.

A very important feature of Japan's industry is its extremely strong involvement in international economic relations.

Agriculture.

Agriculture in Japan employs about 3% of the economically active population, and its share in the country's GNP is about 2%. Japanese agriculture is characterized by a high level of labor and land productivity, crop yields and animal productivity.

Agricultural production has a pronounced food orientation

Crop production provides the bulk of production (about 70%), but its share is declining. The country is forced to import fodder and industrial crops from abroad. Pasture lands make up only 1.6% of the total area. But even these areas are out of agricultural turnover as imports of cheap meat and dairy products increase. New intensive livestock industries are developing. Arable land accounts for 13% of the country's territory. However, in some regions of Japan, it is possible to get 2-3 harvests per year, so the sown area is larger than the cultivated area. Despite the fact that arable land occupies a small share in the land fund, and their per capita value is very small (compared to the United States, it is 24 times less, compared to France - 9 times), Japan provides its food needs mainly due to its own production (about 70%). The demand for rice, vegetables, poultry, pork and fruits is practically satisfied. However, the country is forced to import sugar, corn, cotton, wool.

Small-scale farming is characteristic of Japan's agriculture. Most of the farms are small-scale. The largest farms are engaged in animal husbandry. In addition to individual farms, there are also firms and production cooperatives. These are significant agricultural units.

The coastal lowlands of all the islands, including the Pacific industrial belt, are large agricultural areas where rice, vegetables, tea, tobacco are grown, and livestock farming is also intensively developing. On all the great plains and in natural areas large agglomerations are located poultry and pig farms, vegetable gardens.

Transport

Transport. In the post-war period, road transport quickly moved up to the first place in terms of freight and passenger traffic in Japan (52% and 60%, respectively). The rest is mostly accounted for by sea cabotage, the share of which is gradually decreasing. The importance of railway transport is declining even faster, especially after its privatization in the mid-1980s. The volumes of air traffic are also growing, but their specific gravity so far not great. Japan has the second largest merchant marine tonnage in the world (almost 87 million bbl. Tons in 1999), but 73% of this tonnage is operated under FOCs. The size of the car park is 43 million cars and 22 million trucks and buses (1998, second in the world). Since the mid-90s, the main direction of development technical base transport has become a qualitative improvement of the transport infrastructure. In Japan, a dense network of highways has been created, the main element of which has become high-speed highways, connecting all cities with a population of more than 500 thousand people. A system of railway lines has been built with an average train speed of more than 200 km / h. The country has several dozen large seaports (the largest is Chiba), a number of airports capable of receiving large liners.In the 80s, all four main Japanese islands were connected by continuous transport routes (through a system of tunnels and bridges). The vastly increased volumes and intensity of transport in Japan, especially in the area of ​​the country's main transport axis, passing through the Pacific industrial belt, required an increase in the reliability and safety of the communications system. Its improvement is achieved through the widespread introduction of electronic computing and information technology both in transport management systems and in the vehicles themselves.

Foreign economic relations

Japan is one of the world's largest trading powers. The economy is highly dependent on imports of fuel and industrial raw materials. But the structure of imports is changing significantly: the share of raw materials is decreasing and the share of finished products... Particularly growing is the share of finished products from NIS Asia (including color TVs, video tapes, VCRs, spare parts). The country also imports some species the latest machines and equipment from economically developed countries.

In the export of finished industrial products (by value), 64% is accounted for by machinery and equipment. Japan's international specialization in the world market is trade in products of high-tech high-tech industries, such as the production of ultra-large-scale integrated circuits and microprocessors, CNC machines and industrial robots.

The volume of Japan's foreign trade is constantly growing (760 billion dollars, 1997 - the third place after the USA and Germany). The main trade partners of Japan are economically developed countries, primarily the United States (30% of exports, 25% of imports), Germany, Australia, Canada. The Republic of Korea and China are major partners.

The volume of trade with the countries of Southeast Asia (29% of external turnover) and Europe is increasing. The largest oil suppliers to Japan are the countries of the Persian Gulf.

An important area of ​​Japan's foreign economic activity is export of capital... In terms of foreign investment, the country has become one of the leaders along with the United States and Great Britain. Moreover, the share of capital investment in the country's development is growing. Japan invests its capital in trade, banking, loans and other services (about 50%), in manufacturing and extractive industries different countries the world. Sharp foreign economic contradictions between Japan and the United States and Western European countries lead to a struggle for sources of raw materials, sales markets and areas for capital investment. The scale of overseas entrepreneurship of Japanese firms is expanding. Moreover, along with the transfer of environmentally hazardous, energy- and material-intensive industries abroad (through the construction of enterprises in developing countries), there is also a transfer to these countries of some machine-building industries - those whose development in Japan becomes less respectable (transferred to where the costs are lower labor force).

Japanese firms are especially active in NIS Asia - in the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. The enterprises of the textile, food, clothing, metallurgical, chemical industries, electronic and precision engineering, created there with the participation of Japanese capital, are becoming serious competitors of Japanese firms (especially small and medium-sized ones) in the world and even in the domestic market of Japan.

All of Japan's largest industrial companies are multinational corporations, some of the largest in the world. In the list of the 500 largest TNCs in the world, very high positions are occupied by: Toyota motor, Honda motor - in the automotive industry; Hitachi, Sony, NEC - in electronics; Toshiba, Fujitsu, Canon - in the production of computer equipment, etc.

One of the most important factors in Japan's economic development is its wide participation in international technology trade. The export of technologies is dominated by licenses in the field of electrical and transport engineering, chemistry, and construction. Geographically, Japanese technology exports in the 1980s were dominated by developing countries. Exchange of licenses is especially active technological processes in the field of electrical engineering, chemical industry, etc.

Internal differences

The peculiar natural-geographical and historical conditions of development led to the formation of a complex territorial structure of Japan, to the emergence of significant differences between its regions. Morphologically heterogeneous parts are sharply distinguished on the territory of Japan. This is a developed Pacific industrial belt, located on the largest lowlands of Honshu and Northern Kyushu, and peripheral, relatively poorly developed areas occupying the western coast and northeast of Honshu, Hokkaido and southern Japan - Shikoku, southern Kyushu and Ryukyu Islands.

The established grid of economic regions in Japan mainly reflects these imbalances (Fig. 111.76). The most common concept is the allocation of ten economic regions - Kanto, Kinki, Tokai, Kyushu, Chugoku, Hokuriku. Tohoku, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Okinawa. The first four traditionally belong to areas with a high level of development, the next three - to medium, the rest - to underdeveloped areas. The allocation of districts is carried out along the boundaries of the main administrative units of Japan - prefectures (there are 47 prefectures in total, including the governorate of Hokkaido).

Kanto - a leading economic region, occupying the country's largest lowlands, where less than 10% of Japan's territory is home to more than 30% of its population and produces more than 35% of national income. The socio-economic appearance of the district is primarily determined by the presence in it of the capital of Tokyo and the largest urban agglomeration of Keihin formed around it, in which a powerful production, management, research, and cultural potential is concentrated. Almost all sectors of the economy are developed in Kanto, but it is distinguished by a high concentration of mechanical engineering, especially science-intensive (electronic, instrument-making, aerospace), as well as industries oriented to the large market of the capital region (printing, light). Agriculture of the region, occupying an insignificant place in the structure of its economy, provides Kanto with a leading position in Japan in food production. It is specialized mainly in suburban forms. Kanto is of great importance as the focus of the entire transport system of Japan, where major highways converge connecting the capital with the coastal and inland regions.

The second most important economic region of Japan is Kinki, which combines the features of the historical and cultural core of “old” Japan and a large industrial region. It contains enterprises of both traditional (textile, woodworking, shipbuilding) and the newest industries (radio-electronic, modern chemistry, etc.). Against the background of other developed regions, Kinki is distinguished by an increased share of metal-intensive general mechanical engineering, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. The most important role in the region is played by the second economic and cultural center of the country after Tokyo - Osaka, around which a powerful urban agglomeration Hanshin has developed. The agglomeration includes several more notable industrial cities - Kobe, Amagasaki, Himeji, Sakai. The city of Kyoto is unique, the only Japanese city-"millionaire" located outside the sea coast. Former long time the residence of the Japanese emperors, the political, cultural and religious center of the country, it attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims. The industry of Kyoto is distinguished by a diverse structure with a predominance of non-material-intensive industries using skilled labor (traditional light, woodworking, modern electronic, precision engineering).

The Tokai region, located on the Pacific coast between Kanto and Kinki, ranks third in terms of economic importance. The industrial specialization of the region includes transport engineering, petrochemistry, textile and pulp and paper. The industrial zone is located around Ise Bay, on the coast of which are the center of the district - Nagoya and other industrial cities. Tokaj remained a predominantly agricultural area for a long time, from industrial enterprises were widespread textile and woodworking. In the pre-war years, military factories, mainly aviation, were built in Nagoya and some other cities, on the basis of which transport engineering developed after the war. Among the cities of the region, there are several centers of national importance, highly specialized in certain types industrial production - Yokkaichi (oil refining and petrochemicals), Toyota (automotive). Tokaj maintains its importance as an important agricultural area, excelling in the production of some specific crops, in particular tea and citrus fruits.

Kyushu is notable for the uneven development of the northern and southern parts of the region. Northern Kyushu is the oldest Japanese industrial region, where ferrous metallurgy, heavy industrial engineering, as well as some other "basic" industries - oil refining and cement production - still prevail in the production structure. A large shipbuilding center is Nagasaki with Japan's largest shipbuilding plant. At the same time, Northern Kyushu remains an important agricultural region (in particular, the second most important rice-growing region in the country). In the south, which is still characterized by a certain isolation and traditionalism, the economy is based on agriculture, local industry, and recreational functions. In order to modernize the structure of the Kyushu economy, regional programs of recent years are aimed at developing the most advanced industries (electronics, biotechnology, fine chemistry) in several actively created technopolises. Functions of the administrative center of the district are concentrated in its largest city - Fukuoka.

The Chugoku area occupies the southwestern part of Honshu and is divided by a ridge in the direction from northeast to southwest into two areas that have the historical names Sanyo and Sanyin. The southern one, Sanyo, which occupies the coast of the Inland Sea, has always been more developed. Thanks to the favorable economic and geographical position after the Second World War, many industrial enterprises were built there. Currently, Chugoku is distinguished by the country's highest share of production of material and energy-intensive industries - ferrous metallurgy, oil refining, chemical industry, as well as developed general, ship and automobile industries. A characteristic feature is the absence of a clearly defined center in the region, as well as a certain specialization of large industrial centers: in Hiroshima, mechanical engineering is predominantly developed, in Kurashiki - oil refining and chemistry, in Fukuyama - ferrous metallurgy. In the south of Chugoku (in Ube, Tokuyama, etc.), one of the most powerful complexes of the chemical industry in Japan was formed. Sanyo region is an important tourism region. San'in, facing the Sea of ​​Japan, still remains relatively isolated, sparsely populated and less developed.

Hokuriku occupies the central part of the west coast of Honshu and some of the inland mountainous regions of this island. Unfavorable natural conditions (swampy coastal lowlands, the lack of convenient bays for port construction, etc.) led to a much less intensive development of the area in comparison with the eastern part of Honshu. The share of industry in the structure of the economy of Hokuriku is noticeably lower than the national average, the most developed are general and electrical engineering, metalworking, traditional woodworking and textile industries. A number of nuclear power plants have been built in the south of the region, transmitting energy to the Kinki region, in the mountains - cascades of hydroelectric power plants, which also transmit energy to the central regions of the country. Hokuriku is known for an important rice-producing area (Echigo Plain), as well as for the most significant oil and gas fields in Japan. The most important city in the region is Niigata.

The Tohoku region, which occupies northeastern Honshu, is distinguished in the national division of labor by agriculture, fishing, logging, mining, and a relatively underdeveloped industry focused mainly on processing local resources. The population of the area is relatively small and largely concentrated in the interior regions. Tohoku is regarded as an important area for Japan's future development, its main city Sendai is already one of the fastest growing large cities in the country.

Hokkaido, which officially became part of Japan only in 1868, is the only region in the country that was developed in a planned way, on the basis of organized colonization. The structure of the economy resembles Tohoku with even more sharply distinguished forestry and agriculture, fishing, woodworking, pulp and paper and mining. The main city of the region, Sapporo, which is deprived of the largest industrial enterprises, but performs important administrative functions, is developing intensively.

Shikoku is a mountainous, sparsely populated area. V economically the northern part of the island is more developed, where enterprises of basic industries are located in several industrial cities. However, in general, the industrial appearance of the region is formed by the food, pulp and paper and textile industries. Subtropical agriculture and mountain animal husbandry are developed. The most important cities are the prefectural centers Matsuyama and Takamatsu.

Okinawa - the prefecture located on the Ryukyu Islands is only provisionally classified as a district. It again became part of Japan in 1972 after the US occupation, but at present 12% of its territory is under American military bases. Infrastructure facilities for servicing the bases, as well as tropical agriculture, have been developed.

Agriculture in Japan By its structure, Japanese agriculture should be classified as diversified. It is based on agriculture, mainly the cultivation of rice and other grain crops, industrial crops and tea. Gardening, horticulture, silkworm breeding and animal husbandry play a significant role. In Japan, agriculture also includes forestry, fishing and marine fishing. The cultivated area of ​​the country is 5.4 million hectares, and the sown area exceeds it due to the fact that in a number of regions they harvest 2-3 crops per year. More than half of the sown area is occupied by cereals, about 25% by vegetables, the rest is occupied by forage grasses, industrial crops and mulberry trees. The dominant position in agriculture is occupied by rice. At the same time, there is a decrease in harvests of wheat and barley (low profitability and competition with imported ones). Vegetable growing mainly develops in the suburbs. As a rule, all year round in greenhouse soil. Sugar beet is cultivated in Hokkaido, sugar cane in the south. Tea, citrus fruits, apples, pears, plums, peaches, persimmons (endemic to Japan), grapes, chestnuts, watermelons, melons, pineapples in greenhouses are also grown. In the southwest of Honshu, large areas are devoted to strawberries. Animal husbandry began to develop actively only after World War II. The herd of cattle reaches 5 million heads (half are dairy cows). Pig breeding is developing in the southern regions (about 7 million heads). The center of animal husbandry is the north of the country - the island of Hokkaido, where special farms and cooperatives are being created. A feature of Japanese animal husbandry is that it is based on imported feed (a lot of corn is imported). Own production provides no more than 1/3 of feed. The forest area of ​​the country is about 25 million hectares. Historically, more than half of the forests are privately owned (including bamboo plantations). Basically, forest owners are small peasants with up to 1 hectare. forests. Among the major forest owners are members of the imperial family, monasteries, temples, which own the highest quality forests. Fishing is dominated by large companies monopoly type. The main objects of fishing are herring, cod, salmon, flounder, tuna, halibut, shark, saury, sardine, etc. Seaweed and shellfish are also mined. The fishing fleet of Japan numbers several hundred thousand vessels (mostly small ones). About 1/3 of the catch comes from the waters in the Hokkaido area. An important fishing area is the northeastern coast of Honshu. Aquaculture is widespread: artificial fish farming in lagoons, mountain lakes and rice fields, and pearl mussel farming.

Although the national economy is primarily based on industry, agriculture occupies an important place in it, providing the country with most of the food it consumes. Mainly due to limited land resources and post-war agrarian reform, smallholders dominate the countryside. The average farm size is less than 1.1 ha. The importance of agricultural production as a potential place of work declined sharply after the Second World War.

Japan is one of the largest agricultural importing countries in the world. With only 15% of the country's total land area suitable for agriculture and a population of 130 million, Japan is highly dependent on agricultural and food exports. The country imports large volumes of soybeans, wheat, corn, meat and meat products, other food products, vegetables and fruits. It fully satisfies its own needs only for seafood, some of which it exports.

On average, one farm accounts for 1.47 hectares or 14.700 m2. Japanese farms are comparatively small, but Japanese farmers work hard to make the most of their limited acreage, and therefore the land is cultivated very efficiently.

Japanese farmers use tractors, pick-up trucks, electric cultivators, rice planters and harvesters to help them increase their productivity. Using intensive farming methods, fertilization, sophisticated machinery, and elaborate technology, farmers are able to produce half of all the fruits and vegetables consumed in Japan, with a portion of the farm area still devoted to livestock. So Japan's agriculture provides a significant portion of the food consumed.

Modern technologies have made possible new farming methods. Part of the crop in Japan is grown hydroponically, that is, without soil - just in water. The use of genetic engineering makes it possible to obtain richer and safer crops for human health.

Japanese farmers grow a variety of crops, as well as livestock and poultry... These are grains - rice and wheat; vegetables - potatoes, radish and cabbage; fruits - tangerines, oranges, melons and pears; livestock products - beef, poultry, pork, milk and eggs.

Most of the arable land is covered with forest - about 68%. So, forestry is an important part of the Japanese economy. Japan is an island country and must use its natural resources carefully: 41% of its forests are new plantations.

For centuries, logging has been an important species entrepreneurial activity in Japan. Starting from the VIII century, wooden palaces and temples were built in Kyoto and other cities. But today the demand for wood is so great, not only for construction, but also for the production of paper, furniture and other consumer goods, that Japan imports 76.4% of wood.

Rice is grown throughout Japan, with the exception of the north of Hokkaido, mainly on irrigated lands. Rice yield reaches 50 centners per hectare. The gross harvest of rice reaches 10 million tons. In addition to rice, wheat, barley, and corn are grown from grain crops, but in small quantities. Vegetable growing, especially suburban, has become widespread in Japan. Of industrial crops, tea, tobacco, sugar beets are widespread, and sugar cane is in the south.

Livestock raising is underdeveloped because the Japanese consume little meat and dairy products. Recently, the structure of the Japanese diet has changed, which leads to an increase in demand for livestock products. Livestock raising is actively developing. Meat production is about 4 million tons, and milk - 8 million tons. A characteristic feature of animal husbandry in Japan is the lack of its own forage base. A significant part of the feed is imported. Own production provides no more than 1/3 of livestock feed needs. Agriculture in Japan provides food for the country only 3/4.

Japan is firmly in the first place in the world for seafood production. This became possible thanks to the balanced management of oceanic, marine and coastal fisheries, intensive fish farming in fresh waters.

Oceanic and marine fish catch in Japan is kept at the level of 8 million tons. Coastal fisheries produce 2 million tons of fish annually. More than 200 thousand tons. annually obtained from fish farming in inland waters.

Seafood is the main product that meets the needs of the population for proteins, although their share in the diet has decreased due to an increase in the share of meat. Japanese imports of fish and seafood in recent years have fluctuated from 2.0 to 2.4 million tons. The main part of imports is made up of valuable fish breeds with high taste qualities.

Inhabitants of coastal villages are engaged in coastal fishing; distant - large monopolies with a technically advanced fishing fleet. The northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean is the main area of ​​the world fishing, fish and seafood are caught here by Japan, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and some other countries.

Climate features

The geographical location of the country has a decisive influence on the way of life of the population. Japan is an island state. Nature has ordered in such a way that three climatic zones are combined in a very limited area: the sea coast, plains and mountainous regions. The agriculture of Japan was formed and developed in these conditions. The country is located in a zone of temperate climate, which is characterized by high humidity, due to the proximity of the ocean. Due to this, there is an intensive growth of vegetation. Or - as biologists put it - biomass.

The specifics of the landscape

There are no natural pastures on the territory of the country, which are typical for many continental regions. All territories suitable for these purposes are quickly overgrown with shrubs, and then trees. It is very difficult to artificially maintain pastures and grazing in working order. Such activities require significant labor costs. This explains the fact that the agriculture of Japan does not have a developed animal husbandry. For a long historical period, people living here have developed a special diet. Protein requirements are met by seafood.

Rice is the main crop

Agriculture in Japan is based on small-scale commodity farming... It has long been estimated that the country's total agricultural area is very modest when compared to Argentina or China. So, in 2000 it was six million hectares. A typical peasant farm cultivates (approximately) 1 ha. The main focus is on rice cultivation. Almost three quarters of farms are engaged in the production of this product. It is grown in irrigated fields. It should be noted that its yield is very high and reaches fifty centners per hectare.

Agricultural technologies

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the country finally entered the world community of developed countries. And agriculture in Japan began to intensively absorb the experience of developed countries. A wide variety of plants began to be brought here - from fruit trees to vegetables. All effective techniques and technologies were applied in strict accordance with the instructions. New professions appeared in agriculture. However, the vast majority of the innovations did not take root in local conditions. Fruit trees either began to rot or were completely destroyed by insects. At the same time, there have been significant changes in the methods of tillage and seed selection.

Integration into the global market

For many centuries, the selection of the most productive varieties of rice took place here. Modern information Technology in agriculture they put this process on a systemic basis. Today, every farmer has the opportunity to use the seeds that are most suitable for his area. The level of mechanization of soil cultivation is very high. Experts note that the widespread use of mechanisms significantly increases the cost of agricultural products. At the same time, the country provides itself with food products only by 75%. The missing volumes are supplied from abroad.

Being an island state (its territory is slightly larger Arkhangelsk region), the country does not have significant reserves of minerals. Ore, coal, gas and oil are imported from abroad. The state is very interested in the construction of a gas pipeline from Sakhalin and the supply of Russian gas.

The territory of Japan is a powerful subduction zone (strongest earthquakes). Here, at the Japanese tectonic trench, three lithospheric plates collide: Pacific, Philippine and Eurasian. This causes high seismic activity in the Japanese and Kuril Islands, which also does not contribute to the development of the economy.

However, the Land of the Rising Sun occupies a leading position among the developed economies of the world in the production of steel, automobiles, electronics and shipbuilding. Fishing and seafood production is well developed. On a high-tech basis, biofuel is produced from rice straw. The gross domestic product is approaching $ 4.5 trillion (per capita - about $ 30,000). The Japanese yen is included among the five reserve currencies of the IMF. The country's economy is at the forefront of the 6th technological order. The modernization of its economy was carried out here in (1960-1970).

Japan has one of the highest population densities in the world. Almost all of it is concentrated in the coastal lowlands and river valleys. Formed around the largest cities - Tokyo, Osaka, Nogoya - agglomerations form a huge metropolis of Tokaido with an average population density of 800-1000 people / km 2.

The fishing fleet accounts for 15% of the world. Agriculture is subsidized by the state, but 55% of food (calorie equivalent) is imported. There is a network of high-speed railways Shinkansen and expressways.

Export structure: transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, electronics, electrical engineering, chemicals. Import structure: machinery and equipment, fuel, foodstuffs, chemicals, raw materials.

At the end of the 20th century, foreign exchange reserves grew rapidly in Japan. The government introduced a system of measures to liberalize the export of Japanese capital abroad. It is now the most powerful banking center and international lender. Its share in international loans grew from 5% in 1980 to 20.6% in 1990. Capital export is the main form of foreign economic activity. Most of the Japanese capital works in the United States (42.2%), in Asia (24.2%), Western Europe (15.3%), Latin America (9.3%).

As of 2007, Japan was ranked 19th in terms of GDP to hours worked. According to the Big Mac Index, Japanese workers receive the highest hourly wages in the world. Japan has a low unemployment rate, but in 2009 it began to rise and amounted to 5.1%. Leading companies are Toyota, Nintendo, NTT DoCoMo, Canon, Honda, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Sony, Nippon Steel, Tepco, Mitsubishi. In addition, the country is home to several of the largest banks, as well as the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which has the second largest market capitalization in the world. In 2012, 326 Japanese companies were on the Forbes 3000, accounting for 16.3% of the list.

Recently, Japan's relations with Russia have been improving. At the end of February this year, an impressive delegation of Russian businessmen led by Minister of Industry and Trade D. Manturov arrived in Tokyo for a joint forum. The event was attended by 300 domestic and 70 Japanese companies. In connection with the weakening of the ruble, pushing aside the "excessive caution" inherent in the entrepreneurs of the Land of the Rising Sun, they were keenly interested in acquiring Russian assets that had fallen in price.

Moreover, not only gas, oil and metals are of interest, but also value-added products. Businessmen are ready to build new enterprises in the Russian Federation with Japanese capital in the fields of electronics, pharmaceuticals, waste recycling and machine-tool construction. The advanced industrial technologies of this highly developed country will certainly help the progress of our economy.

The modernization of the entire economy was carried out here in 1960-1970. The organizer of the Japanese miracle was the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Japan. The specialists of this ministry, after analyzing the international economic situation and internal potential, have identified the "industries of the future." This term was used to designate sectors of the economy and enterprises that had prospects for growth and competitiveness. Development plans were created for all these enterprises, and their implementation was accompanied by credit and tax preferences. This Ministry created favorable conditions for the development of scientific research. The emerging new industries were protected from international competition and had access to government subsidies. The growth of education of the population and the development of industrial training were stimulated.

However, even now, being the fourth industrial power in the world, Japan remains one of the most economically closed developed countries. Nobel laureate J. Galbraith wrote that "all the countries that have industrialized in themselves in recent years: Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Iran - could not have done this without intensive intervention and support from the state."

With the transformation of Japan into an economic superpower, the fate of agriculture, despite favorable agro-climatic conditions, was threatened. After the war, the rural population was reduced to three million families, of which there are fewer than two rice growers. Half of the peasants are over 65 years old. As the people say, "agriculture has become the occupation of grandparents."

The traditionally respectful attitude to the work of the farmer, and above all of the rice grower, is not accidental. Since time immemorial, rice has been not only the basis of the diet, but also a key factor in the formation of national character. Japanese civilization practically did not know either hunting or cattle breeding. Its source is irrigated agriculture, the cultivation of rice on the slopes of the hills, turned into stepped terraces.

It is beyond the power of one family to create and maintain such an irrigation system. This requires the joint work of the rural community. It is in the extremely labor-intensive rice growing that the spirit of collectivism inherent in the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun is rooted, a willingness to put common goods above personal gain (which gave rise to a system of life-long employment that is unique for this country). Rice cultivation in Japan is considered a cult and is regarded as a heroism.

Despite low wages, farmers managed to stabilize rice harvests at 8 million tons. Less than two million peasant farms not only fully provide the country's 127 million inhabitants with the main food crop - rice, but also produce almost two-thirds of the vegetables, meat and eggs consumed by the people. Japan's gross agricultural output is $ 80 billion. But the country produces only 39 percent of the food it needs. This figure, which stunned everyone, was talked about after the transition to the adopted in international practice method: to compare domestic and imported food products not by cost, but by the number of calories.

In the 60s, the similar figure was almost 80 percent, and now it has fallen below 40 for the first time. food security Japan is at the tail end of the list of developed countries. For comparison: Australia - 237%, Canada - 145%, USA - 128%, France - 122%, Russia - 80%.

For an archipelago country surrounded by seas, food security is of vital importance. Therefore, the Japanese government formulated strategic goal: by 2020, raise the level of food self-sufficiency to 50 percent.

Japan is a country of long-livers, and this is due to the presence in the diet of a large amount of fish with fatty Q3 acids. But in the post-war years, the consumption of animal fats and products increased " fast food"From the McDonald's that have bred across the country. As a result, in terms of life expectancy, the country has moved from first to place in the second ten of the list. Fatty "hamburgers" turned out to be especially harmful to the people who created the most exquisite, truly healing cuisine.

The current situation is the result of a radical change in the traditional diet of the Japanese. Before the food was based on rice, vegetables, seafood, fish. Nowadays, meat consumption has increased 9 times. Milk has appeared in the diet. At the same time, the consumption of rice has been halved - from 120 to 60 kilograms per person per year.

Bread has also appeared in the traditional diet. And now, in addition to 8 million tons of domestic rice, up to 5 million tons of wheat have to be imported annually. And for the needs of livestock and poultry farming, they also import about 20 million tons of corn and soybeans for fodder.

In terms of rice yield (65 centners per hectare), the Land of the Rising Sun ranks third in the world. But at its cost, it cannot compete with the large grain production of American, Australian or Canadian farmers. The land plots of most of the peasants slightly exceed one and a half hectares. Therefore, it is advisable to move from rice to more profitable crops. Grow melons, strawberries or kiwi under the foil, following the example of Israel. And to buy grain at low prices in the world market.

However, in this matter, Tokyo is guided not by commercial benefits, but by the interests of food security. The government contracts the entire harvest at a price that is profitable for the peasants. And then he sells the rice to domestic consumers for much less than it was paid for. The authorities assume that production of the main food crop cannot be stopped and resumed at the push of a button. Let's remember our reforms of the 90s. If an entire generation of rice growers go bankrupt, in the event of an international crisis and a naval blockade, the country will no longer be able to feed itself.

The Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (1999 law) obliged the government to regularly adopt basic plans for the development of food production, agriculture and rural areas. The first such plan was adopted in 2000. The total area of ​​agricultural land is small - 6 million hectares (13% of the territory), but a significant part of the cultivated area gives two, and in some regions - three crops per year. In the sectoral structure of agriculture, crop production prevails, the main crop is rice. But they also cultivate wheat, soybeans, vegetables.

About 78% of farms grow only rice without the use of pesticides, using organic farming methods. This is due to the system of government measures that stimulate the cultivation of this crop, often at the expense of others. The cost of rice in Japan is significantly higher than the price. The reason for this is small-scale farming, oversaturation with technology and its irrational use. In terms of the number and power of tractors per unit area, Japan ranks first in the world.

Only on the island of Hokkaido is labor productivity in agriculture approaching the European level, which is largely explained by the spread of large landholdings there (up to 15 hectares). The fishing industry is of paramount importance for providing the population with food, and a number of industries with raw materials.

Japan is firmly in the first place in the world for the production of seafood. This became possible thanks to the balanced management of oceanic, marine and coastal fisheries, intensive fish farming in fresh waters. Oceanic and marine fishing in Japan is kept at the level of 8 million tons. Coastal fishing yields 2 million tons of fish annually. More than 200 thousand tons are annually obtained from fish farming in inland waters. The country has a large network of ports that receive and process fish, including from Russia. The largest of them are Kushiro, Hachinohe, Teshi, Wakkanai, etc.

Fishing and seafood processing has been a traditional branch of the Japanese economy since the Neolithic. On average, a Japanese person consumes 168 kg of fish annually, which is the highest figure among the countries of the world. The coastal waters of the Japanese archipelago are rich in fish, edible algae and other marine resources. For a long time, the most lucrative fishing spot has been the Sanriku Sea in the northeast of Honshu Island, where the cold Kuril Current meets the warm Kuroshio Current. However, due to the accident at the neighboring Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011, the catch of fish and seafood in this area was temporarily stopped. Another place rich in fish is the northern and southern parts of the Western Pacific Ocean.

The main catch is fish of the mackerel family (14%), tuna (8%), anchovies (8%), scallops (7%), saury (5%), fish of the salmon family (5%), squid (5%), pollock (4%) and horse mackerel (4%). Among other species, crabs, flounders, pagras, etc. are caught. The catch is carried out in coastal and remote waters. Under international law, Japanese fishermen have the right to fish only in Japanese territorial waters and the Japanese exclusively economic zone with a radius of 370 km in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan is the world leader in fish and seafood imports. It imports 20% of all the world's fish exported by other countries. Japanese imports of fish and seafood began to grow after the imposition of international restrictions on territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. These restrictions made it impossible for Japanese fishermen to fish in the distant waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Since 1995, Japan has imported more fishery products from abroad than it produces or grows itself. Most of the money the Japanese spend on the import of shrimp, and most of all they buy foreign tuna. The main international suppliers of fish and seafood to Japan are world leaders in the field of fishing - China, Peru, Chile, USA, Indonesia.

Poultry farming is also developed in Japan. In the post-war years, large industrial-type dairy complexes appeared in the country, but most of the hay and other feed is imported.

The World Trade Organization has relentlessly criticized the Tokyo authorities for subsidizing farmers and discouraging rice imports with duties that are seven times the world price for rice. In addition, the Japanese prefer domestic, round-grain rice. But 86% of wheat and almost all of the soybeans consumed in the country, Japan, under pressure from the WTO, is forced to import from abroad.

And yet, the focus of the Japanese government on strengthening food security, energetic measures of state support for domestic agriculture, in our opinion, can serve as an instructive example for Russia.

Zaltsman V.A., Ph.D.

Chelyabinsk region

caused primarily by island isolation. Southern Ryukyu Islands - tropical fauna is relatively poor in mammals, arboreal animals dominate. There are a lot of monkeys: macaques, gibbons, thin beetles. An unusually large number of bats. Martens are common, there are many squirrels and flying squirrels, six-winged, Japanese deer, black hare, bluebird are found. The central islands of the Japanese archipelago are much richer in fauna. Mainland animals are found here: wolf, fox, raccoon dog, badger, squirrel, deer, giant salamander, Japanese macaques, Japanese black bear ... But I note that the central islands are poor in rodents, there are few songbirds and there are no representatives of the cat family. The northern island of Hokkaido - northern forms prevail here: brown bear, ermine, weasel, Siberian sable, various insects. The country has 270 species of mammals, about 800 species of birds, 110 species of reptiles; in the seas washing Japan there are more than 600 species of fish, over 1000 species of mollusks, among birds in Japan there are storks, woodpeckers, owls, blackbirds, titmice, swallows, Japanese crane, starling hawk ... There are many seabirds near the seashore: cormorant, guillemot , skua.

Slide 2

Japan

  • Slide 3

    Plan:

    Natural resources. Agriculture. Economy of Japan. Industry of Japan. Automotive industry in Japan.

    Slide 4

    Natural resources

    Japan is a country rich in forests and taking care of its ecological state; therefore, their forests will look well-groomed and cut down extremely carefully and in volumes controlled by science. Over 2/3 of the territory of Japan is occupied by forests, shrubs; a significant part of forests, over 1/3 - artificial plantation. Conifers account for 50% of the total timber reserves and 37% of the total forest area. In total, the flora of Japan has over 700 species of trees and shrubs and about 300 species of grasses. Numerous representatives of the ancient pre-Quaternary flora have survived - ferns, horsetails, etc. On the island of Hokkaido, coniferous forests of spruce and fir predominate. In the southern regions of Japan, coniferous forests are gradually being replaced by deciduous broad-leaved forests of oak, maple, ash, linden, chestnut, etc.

    Slide 5

    Cultivated land 13% of the total territory of the country, mainly given over to rice and some crops - from potatoes in the north to sugarcane in the south. Natural conditions in Japan are generally favorable for agriculture. The soil cover of Japan is very diverse: red and yellow soils prevail in the south, on the island of Honshu the slopes of local low mountains are covered with developed podzolic and brown forest soils, with sufficient fertilization, coastal plains with their fertile alluvial soils have long been mastered by farmers with sufficient fertilization. There are swampy soils in the lowlands.

    Slide 6

    Japan's soil resources are very limited: more than one third of the soils are classified as poor. Nevertheless, the total area of ​​cultivated land is 16% of the entire territory. Japan is one of the few countries in the world that has fully developed its land resources. Virgin lands are preserved only on the island of Hokkaido; on the rest of the islands, the Japanese are expanding the territories of cities and suburban farms, draining swampy shores and river deltas, filling lagoons and shallow areas of the seas, for example, the Tokyo airport was built. Over 3/4 of the territory is occupied by hills and mountains; The Kanto and Tokyo lowlands are located in separate areas along the coast. On the island of Hokkaido, the main ridges are a continuation of the Sakhalin mountain ranges and the Kuril Islands, stretching from north to south and northeast to southwest.

    Slide 7

    Slide 8

    The country has a dense network of short, full-flowing mainly mountain rivers (large: Shinano, Tone, Isikori). The rivers of the Sea of ​​Japan are characterized by winter-spring floods, and the rivers of the Pacific Ocean basin are characterized by summer floods; there are floods especially as a result of the passage of typhoons. The waters of many rivers are used for irrigation - there are thousands of small and large reservoirs in the country. The flat sections of large rivers are accessible to shallow-draft vessels, the largest is Lake Biwa, which covers an area of ​​716 sq. km. Japan is characterized by a coastal landscape with bays and islets, beautiful shores covered with vegetation.

    Slide 9

    Slide 10

    The fauna of Japan is characterized by some interesting features caused primarily by island isolation. Southern Ryukyu Islands - tropical fauna is relatively poor in mammals, arboreal animals dominate. There are a lot of monkeys: macaques, gibbons, thin beetles. An unusually large number of bats. Martens are common, there are many squirrels and flying squirrels, six-winged, Japanese deer, black hare, bluebird are found. The central islands of the Japanese archipelago are much richer in fauna. Mainland animals are found here: wolf, fox, raccoon dog, badger, squirrel, deer, giant salamander, Japanese macaques, Japanese black bear ... But I note that the central islands are poor in rodents, there are few songbirds and there are no representatives of the cat family. The northern island of Hokkaido - northern forms prevail here: brown bear, ermine, weasel, Siberian sable, various insects. The country has 270 species of mammals, about 800 species of birds, 110 species of reptiles; in the seas washing Japan there are more than 600 species of fish, over 1000 species of mollusks, among birds in Japan there are storks, woodpeckers, owls, blackbirds, titmice, swallows, Japanese crane, starling hawk ... There are many seabirds near the seashore: cormorant, guillemot , skua

    Slide 11

    As one of the main importers of raw materials, Japan has its own minerals, they are quite diverse, but the deposits are mostly small and difficult to develop. Despite the fact that the deposits of coal, sulfur and natural gas are relatively large, the high capital intensity of the development makes imports quite cheap, much more profitable, as evidenced by the gradual closure of mines in the country.

    Slide 12

    Achievements of Japanese engineers a robot cook.

    The Japanese have long been known for their desire to robotise literally everything and everyone. In the country, it is no longer possible to surprise anyone with a robot nurse, a robot teacher or even a robot driver. Now there is a replenishment - the robot chef Fua-Men

    Slide 13

    Slide 14

    Agriculture.

    In terms of agricultural specialization, Japan differs markedly from other developed countries: the share of crop production is twice that of livestock. But despite this, the country does not have enough grain, Japan is forced to import grain crops from its closest neighbors: China, Korea. The Japanese organization of agriculture is known all over the world as quite backward, this is due to a number of reasons: the predominance of dwarf peasant farms of the small-scale type, limited capital investments directed to improving the land, the weakness of the agro-technical base, and enslaving peasants' indebtedness. Recently, the productivity of the land has decreased slightly.

    Slide 15

    The fishing fleet of Japan numbers tens of thousands of ships, and the number of fishing ports is hundreds and even thousands. Of the exotic crafts, I would like to note the extraction of pearls on the southern coast of Honshu, more than 500 million pearl shells are mined here annually. Previously, the shells extracted from the bottom were used to search for natural pearls, which, of course, were very rare. Now they are used for artificial cultivation pearls on special plantations. Over time, there have been tendencies towards the depletion of national fish resources; therefore, artificial breeding of marine animals has become widespread (in 1980, 32 fish species, 15 crustacean species, 21 species of molluscs, etc., etc.) the world by aquaculture technology that originated in the VIII century. The most diverse types of aquaculture are developed here, artificial spawning grounds and fish pastures have been created.

    Slide 16

    Inhabitants of coastal villages are engaged in coastal fishing; distant - large monopolies with a technically advanced fishing fleet. The northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean is the main area of ​​the world fishing, fish and seafood are caught here by Japan, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and some other countries.

    Slide 17

    Slide 18

    Industry of Japan.

    Recently, a course has been taken towards the preferential development of knowledge-intensive industries with some containment of energy-intensive and material-intensive industries. New industries include electronic, precision and complex instrument making, optics, the production of cameras, medicines, scientific and laboratory equipment. For quite a long time, the basis of the country's energy sector was coal, water, wood. Fuel imports played an additional role. Thermal power plants are the backbone of the Japanese power industry.

    Slide 19

    Slide 20

    Japan's fuel and energy base is very limited. Own coal resources provide no more than 1/2 of its needs, there are very few good coking coals. Oil is produced in a year as much as in the United States in half a day; few iron and manganese ores, no bauxite and many other types of mineral raw materials. Despite the fact that 4/5 of energy is produced from imported raw materials, the country has a highly developed energy economy. The oil refining and petrochemical industries have grown in the production of oil, the enterprises of which are located in many cities of the urbanized strip of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. After the defeat of Japan in the Second World War, during the years of occupation, the development of the automobile industry was artificially hindered by the introduction of various kinds of prohibitions and restrictions, in particular on output of products from the headquarters of the occupation forces. And although in 1949 they were removed, and the enterprises of the automotive industry were removed from the list to be dismantled and exported under reparations, nevertheless, the end of the 40s. is regarded as a period of struggle for the survival of the Japanese auto industry. In addition, the import of foreign cars caused considerable damage to the industry at that time. It was officially banned until 1949, but cars were imported by the Americans.

    Slide 24

    In the first six months of 2009, 273 companies related to the automotive industry, such as the supply of parts or the sale of cars, went bankrupt in Japan. This is 50% more compared to the same period in 2009. The debts of failed Japanese companies doubled to $ 1.1 billion. In almost half of the cases, it was about firms that worked in the retail and wholesale cars. They were unable to obtain loans to finance further activities. Most bankruptcies - 52 - were registered in those prefectures where Toyota Motor, Suzuki and major auto parts manufacturers are located. Wherein, car market Japan began to gradually recover from the crisis, but has not yet fully recovered.

    View all slides

    12.10.2019

    Agriculture of Japan - presentation. Japanese economy

    Territory- 377.8 thousand km 2

    Population- 125.2 million people (1995).

    Capital- Tokyo.

    Geographical location, general information

    Japan- an archipelago country, located on four large and almost four thousand small islands, stretching for 3.5 thousand km from northeast to southwest along the eastern coast of Asia. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The shores of the archipelago are heavily indented and form many bays and coves. The seas and ocean washing Japan are of exceptional importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources.

    The economic and geographical position of Japan is determined primarily by the fact that it is located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes to active participation countries in the international geographical division of labor.

    For a long period, Japan was isolated from other countries. After the unfinished bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868. she embarked on the path of rapid capitalist development. At the turn of the XIX - XX centuries. became one of the imperialist states.

    Japan is a country with a constitutional monarchy. Supreme body state power and the only legislative body - parliament.

    Natural conditions and resources of Japan

    The geological basis of the archipelago is underwater mountain ranges. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills with a highly dissected relief of an average height of 1600 - 1700 m. There are about 200 volcanoes, 90 are active, including the highest peak - Mount Fuji (3776 m). Frequent earthquakes and tsunami.

    The country is poor in minerals, but there is mining coal, lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, limestone. The resources of its own deposits are small, so Japan is the largest importer of raw materials.

    Despite the small area, the length of the country led to the existence of a unique complex on its territory natural conditions: Hokkaido Island and northern Honshu are located in a temperate maritime climate, the rest of Honshu, Shikoku and Yushu islands are in a humid subtropical climate, and Ryukyu Island is in a tropical climate. Japan is in the active monsoon zone. The average annual rainfall ranges from 2 to 4 thousand mm.

    About 2/3 of the territory is mainly mountainous areas covered with forests (more than half of the forests are artificial plantations). Coniferous forests dominate in northern Hokaido, mixed forests in central Honshu and southern Hokkaido, and subtropical forests in the south.

    There are many rivers in Japan, full-flowing, fast, of little use for navigation, but providing a source for hydropower and irrigation.

    The abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater has a beneficial effect on the development of industry and agriculture.

    In the post-war period, the ecological problems... The adoption and implementation of a number of environmental laws reduces the country's pollution level.

    Population of Japan

    Japan is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of population. Japan became the first Asian country to move from the second to the first type of population reproduction. Now the birth rate is 12%, the death rate is 8%. Life expectancy in the country is the highest in the world (76 years for men and 82 years for women).

    The population is nationally homogeneous, about 99% are Japanese. Other ethnic groups include Koreans and Chinese. The most common religions are Shinto and Buddhism. The population is unevenly distributed over the area. The average density is 330 people per m2, but the coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean are among the most densely populated in the world.

    About 80% of residents live in cities. 11 cities are millionaires.

    Economy of Japan

    The growth rates of the Japanese economy were among the highest in the second half of the 20th century. The country has largely undergone a qualitative restructuring of the economy. Japan is at a post-industrial stage of development, which is characterized by a highly developed industry, but the leading sphere is the non-manufacturing sector (services, finance).

    Although Japan is poor in natural resources and imports raw materials for most industries, it ranks 1-2 in the world in terms of the output of many industries. Industry is mainly concentrated within the Pacific industrial belt.

    Power engineering mainly uses imported raw materials. In the structure of the raw material base, oil is in the lead, the share of natural gas, hydropower and nuclear energy is growing, and the share of coal is decreasing.

    In the electric power industry, 60% of the capacity comes from thermal power plants and 28% from nuclear power plants.

    Hydroelectric power plants are located in cascades on mountain rivers. In terms of hydropower generation, Japan ranks 5th in the world. Japan, poor in resources, is actively developing alternative sources energy.

    Ferrous metallurgy. In terms of steel production, the country occupies the 1st place in the world. The share of Japan in the world market of ferrous metallurgy is 23%.

    The largest centers, now operating almost entirely on imported raw materials and fuel, are located near Osaka, Tokyo, in Fujiyama.

    Non-ferrous metallurgy. Due to the harmful effect on the environment, primary smelting of non-ferrous metals is reduced, but factories are located in all large industrial centers.

    Mechanical engineering. Provides 40% of industrial production. The main sub-sectors among the many developed in Japan are electronics and electrical engineering, the radio industry and transport engineering.

    Japan firmly occupies the 1st place in the world in shipbuilding, specializing in the construction of large-capacity tankers and bulk carriers. The main centers of shipbuilding and ship repair are located in the largest ports (Yokogana, Nagosaki, Kobe).

    In terms of car production (13 million units per year), Japan also ranks first in the world. The main centers are Toyota, Yokohama, Hiroshima.

    The main enterprises of general machine building are located within the Pacific industrial belt - complex machine tool building and industrial robots in the Tokyo region, metal-intensive equipment in Osaka, machine tool building in the Nagai region.

    The country's share in the world output of the radio-electronic and electrical engineering industry is exceptionally large.

    By the level of development chemical industry in Japan is one of the first places in the world.

    Pulp and paper, light and food industries are also developed in Japan.

    Agriculture Japan remains an important industry, contributing about 2% of GNP; the industry employs 6.5% of the population. Agricultural production is focused on food production (the country provides 70% of its own needs in it).

    13% of the territory is cultivated, in the structure of crop production (it gives 70% of agricultural production) the cultivation of rice and vegetables plays a leading role, horticulture is developed. Livestock raising is intensively developing (cattle breeding, pig breeding, poultry farming).

    Due to the exceptional location, there is an abundance of fish and seafood in the diet of the Japanese, the country fishes in all regions of the World Ocean, has more than three thousand fishing ports and has the largest fishing fleet (over 400 thousand vessels).

    Japan transport

    All types of transport are developed in Japan, with the exception of river and pipeline transport. In terms of the volume of cargo transportation, the first place belongs to road transport(60%), second place - marine. The role of rail transport is declining, while the role of air transportation is growing. Due to very active foreign economic relations, Japan has the largest merchant fleet in the world.

    The territorial structure of the economy is characterized by a combination of two different parts: the Pacific belt, which is the socio-economic core of the country, because here are the main industrial areas, ports, transport routes and developed agriculture, and the peripheral zone, which includes areas where the most developed timber harvesting, animal husbandry, mining, hydropower and tourism. Despite the implementation of the regional policy, the smoothing of territorial disparities is proceeding rather slowly.

    External economic relations of Japan

    Japan actively participates in the MGRT, the leading place is international trade, the export of capital, production, scientific and technical and other ties are also developed.

    The share of Japan in world imports is about 1/10. Mainly raw materials and fuel are imported.

    The country's share in world exports is also more than 1/10. On manufactured goods accounts for 98% of exports.

    Japan's economy is by far the most developed economy in the world. In terms of industrial production and GDP, this state ranks third among countries in the world, yielding positions only to the United States and China. Japan has highly developed high technologies (robotics and electronics), automobile and shipbuilding.

    A bit of history: stages of development of the Japanese economy

    After World War II, the government of the state carried out structural changes in organizations in various spheres of the economy. Experts note that the cooperation of the government with industrialists, the use of high technologies, work ethic, low defense costs have significantly helped Japan to become an industrialized country.

    The main stages of the development of the Japanese economy:

    The first period - 1940-1960. - characterized by a revision of the state policy in relation to science and technology, as well as in the organization of training for highly qualified workers.

    Second period 1970-1980 - a time of extremely high economic growth. During this period, significant changes are noted in the structure of the national income. The mining and manufacturing industries, as well as construction, account for a significant percentage of the national income. At the same time, the share of national income from agriculture and fisheries has significantly decreased from 23% to 2%.

    Third period 1990 - 2000 - the time of transformation of Japan into the leading country in the world in terms of economic indicators.

    Features of the development of Japanese industry

    Special attention is paid to the development of science and education. The state R&D program (development of a national system of research and development work) contributes to the development of its own technical achievements and a complete rejection of imports. On the territory of the country, special scientific centers were created, which began to engage in developments in the field of solid state physics, space robots, nuclear energy, the latest construction materials, plasma physics and other issues.

    There are three particularly large industrial areas in Japan:

    • Tyuke or Nagoya industrial area;
    • Kei-Hin or Tokyo-Yokagama Industrial Area;
    • Khan-Sin or Osako-Kob industrial area.

    In addition, in Japan, industry is developing well in areas such as:

    • North Kyushu;
    • Kanto;
    • Tokay or East Marine Industrial Region;
    • Kasima;
    • Tokyo-Tibsky industrial area.

    Major industries in Japan

    Automotive

    Automotive products are one of the country's main exports. There are three large areas in Japan that are engaged in the production of automobiles. They are located in Aichi, Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures. The leading automobile companies in the world are considered the following Mazda (a plant in Hiroshima), Toyota and Nissan (a plant in Yokohama), Honda (a plant in the capital of Tokyo), Mitsubishi and Suzuki (plant in Hamamatsu).

    This industry began to develop rapidly since the 1970s. Japan exported large volumes of automotive products to the United States. But after the conflict in 1974 between the two countries, Japan imposed restrictions on the export of cars from the country. Therefore, the entrepreneurs of this state began to transfer their production to the United States. In 1989, experts mark the greatest peak in the production of automotive products. About 13 million vehicles were produced this year. Of this amount, 6 million. Japan exported abroad.



    Shipbuilding

    There are three major shipbuilding areas in Japan:

    • Pacific coast;
    • Northern shores of Kyushu island;
    • The coast of the Inland Sea of ​​Japan.

    The world's leading shipbuilding companies are Universal (Kawasaki), Kawasaki (Kobe), Mitsubissi (Nagasaki), Sasebo (Sasebo).

    Thanks to the improvement of technology, the above-mentioned state after the Second World War was the absolute leader in this industry. At the beginning of 1970, the country produced ships, the carrying capacity of which was more than 16 thousand tons.

    But in the following years. Japan began to compete with the PRC. This struggle in the shipbuilding market is being waged between these countries to this day.

    Electrical engineering

    The world's leading companies that carry out the production of any kind of electrical equipment are the following:

    • Kenwood Corporation;
    • Kenon;
    • Konica;
    • Sony;
    • Toshiba;
    • Supra;
    • Nikon;
    • Panasonic;
    • Olympus;
    • Roland;
    • Pioneer;
    • Sharpe;
    • Sega.
    Agricultural development in Japan

    13% of the territory of the above-mentioned state is occupied by lands. Rice fields account for more than half of them. Since the lands are predominantly small, they are very often cultivated without the use of specialized large equipment. Sometimes the land is located near the terraces and on the slopes of the mountains, since there is not enough flat land in Japan.

    Since the end of the 20th century, there has been a tendency for the reduction of flooded fields in the state. There are two reasons for this:

    • rapid urbanization of the country;
    • the transition of the Japanese to the Western way of life (an increase in the consumption of wheat, milk and meat, and a decrease in rice).

    The entire population of the state that is engaged in agriculture, according to the law, is called farmers. The latter are divided into those who grow products for their own needs, and those who grow products for sale. Accordingly, there are simple farmers and merchant farmers. The latter must have arable land of 30 acres or more.

    Trader farmers are also divided into three main groups:

    • professionals (that is, those who are engaged in agricultural work for at least 60 days a year, their age must be at least 65 years old) 4
    • semi-professionals (same requirements);
    • amateurs (persons over 65).
    Main branches of agriculture in Japan

    Rice growing

    About half of all arable land in the state is devoted to the above culture. Japanese rice cultivation reached its apogee after 1960. The Japanese economic miracle contributed to the fact that the population's income increased significantly. This has led to an increase in demand for rice.

    Since 1970, farmers have begun phasing out cultivated areas due to excessive rice surpluses. A crop rotation system was introduced in flooded fields. But already in 1997 in Japan there was an unexpected shortage of rice due to the reduction of land.

    Experts note that already at the beginning of the 19th century, about 23% of the gross agricultural output of the state was made up of income from rice cultivation.

    Fishing

    This branch of agriculture is traditional for Japan. Experts estimate that, on average, one Japanese eats about 168 kg of fish per year.

    The North and South Western Pacific is a major fishing area. The catch is based on the following fish: tuna (8%), mackerel (14%), saury (5%), salmon (5%), horse mackerel (4%).

    It should be noted that Japan is the largest importer of fish and seafood in the world (occupies about 20% of all world imports). The fact is that Japanese fishermen have the right to fish exclusively only in the territorial waters of the country (within a radius of 370 km in the Pacific Ocean).

    Japan Resources and Energy

    The main energy resource of the aforementioned state is oil. The share of "black gold" in the country's energy balance is about 50%.

    The main petroleum products that are produced at Japanese refineries:

    • petrol;
    • diesel fuel;
    • kerosene;
    • naphtha;
    • fuel oil.

    But still, the country has to import 97% of this resource from countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Qatar. However, the Japanese government is trying to use alternative energy sources such as bioethanol.

    It should be noted that the state fully meets its needs for minerals and building materials. Also in Japan there are minor deposits of gold. It belongs to the highest quality in the world and is mined in Kagoshima Prefecture near the city of Isa (Hishikari mine).

    A feature of the Japanese economy is that there are practically no energy resources in the country. In 1979, after the oil crises, the Japanese government set a course for the development of its own nuclear energy. Some of the enterprises were transferred to natural gas.

    The latter is supplied to the territory of the above-mentioned state in liquefied form from countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Experts note that Japan is the sixth country in the world in terms of the total consumption of this natural resource. 96% of his country must be imported from outside.

    Also, the state is poor in metals. 100% of all copper, aluminum, iron ore is imported from abroad. According to 2004 data, the largest suppliers of iron ore to Japan were India (8%), Australia (62%) and Brazil (21%), aluminum - Indonesia (37%) and Australia (45%), copper - Chile (21%) , Australia (10%), Indonesia (21%).

    Features of Japanese trade

    The main distinguishing characteristic of the trade relations of the above-mentioned country is that the country completely purchases raw materials and exports already manufactured goods. This trade belongs to the type of value added trade.

    Before World War II, the state imported raw materials for its textile industry and exported textile products. After World War II, Japan completely reoriented its economy. From abroad, it mainly imports fuel, and exports - mechanical engineering products, high-precision equipment, cars, electronics.

    Experts note that, since 1980, the state has had an exceptionally positive trade balance: imports are significantly inferior to the country's exports.

    Japan's main imports:

    • oil;
    • liquefied gas;
    • simple microcircuits;
    • textile goods;
    • Fish and seafood;
    • computers.

    Japan's main export commodities:

    • complex microcircuits;
    • cars;
    • chemical industry products;
    • steel;
    • products of the engineering industry.

    The main trading partners of the above state are the USA, China, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Australia.

    Experts note that according to 2010 data, the country's external turnover amounted to about 1.401 trillion US dollars.

    Most of the import and export of goods is carried out through the ports of Japan. The largest commercial ports of this state are:

    • Kansai Airport;
    • Port of Kobe;
    • Narita Airport;
    • Nagoya port;
    • Yokohama Port;
    • Tokyo port.

    Japanese economic model: description

    To understand the basics of the economic development model of the above country, you should pay attention to the following important factors:

    • the role of the state in economic relations;
    • organization of private entrepreneurship;
    • labor Relations.
    Features of the structure of private entrepreneurship

    The social structure of Japan is characterized by dualism modern industry... Small and medium-sized enterprises occupy a major place in the manufacturing industry. At the same time, some small firms do not observe a pronounced downward trend. It was against the background of the mass of small enterprises that significant concentrations of capital in the branches of heavy industry developed rapidly. This led to the formation of gigantic associations.

    Features of the economic system of Japan:

    • vertical integration of firms and their grouping (large companies merge with small and medium-sized firms);
    • the presence of a three-layer structure - the market - a group of enterprises (keiretsu) - the enterprise itself (the law prohibited the absorption of small enterprises. Basically, the latter are subordinate to large companies. This limits the process of centralization of capital and provides for the unanimous consent of directors of subordinate enterprises).

    The largest keiretsu ( financial groups) In Japan, the following are considered:

    • Mitsubishi;
    • Mitsui;
    • Sumitomo;
    • Sanwa;
    • Daniti Kange.

    They are mainly operated by universal trading and industrial companies, large banking institutions.

    Financial capital groupings have the right to mutually own the securities of the participating companies (but only a small block of shares). For example, life insurance companies can own no more than 10% of the securities of other firms, and financial institutions can own no more than 5%. Companies cannot own their own shares. The result is the transfer of control over companies from individuals to legal entities.

    Labor Relations

    To achieve high rates of economic growth, it is important to create a unique personnel management system. The Japanese have done it very successfully!

    The management of the state of the rising sun is based on the identification of the employee with the whole corporation. In Japan, it is completely unacceptable to change jobs frequently. Japanese workers are extremely loyal to their superiors and the organization where they work.

    In the land of the rising sun, the system of the so-called "life-long hiring of an employee" is welcomed. The latter remains faithful to only one organization throughout his working life. With such a system in place, over time for the employee labor collective becomes a second family, and work becomes a home. The employee ceases to distinguish between his own goals and the goals of the corporation itself.

    It should be noted that Japan has a rather long working day - about 58 hours a week. Labor remuneration system:

    • basic;
    • overtime;
    • premium.

    The female labor force occupies a special position in labor relations... Basically, the fairer sex is used as hourly workers and day laborers. A woman's salary is several times lower than that of a man. Interestingly, female day laborers pass in government statistics like ordinary housewives. Therefore, they therefore cannot lose their jobs - that is, they are not included in the number of unemployed. Because of this, the state has such a low unemployment rate.

    Role of the state

    Unity is noted in solving common problems in the land of the rising sun state apparatus and large companies. The country is actively using the planning system:

    • nationwide;
    • target;
    • regionally;
    • in-house;
    • industry.

    National plans are mainly aimed at regulating the operation of private firms and companies. Their main tasks are mainly embodied in the content of intrafirm plans, which are directive in nature.

    There are five main groups of national plans:

    • economic and social development plan;
    • sectoral plans;
    • land development and use plan;
    • regional planning;
    • targeted nationwide programs.

    The role of senior officials is extremely high. Their instructions are mandatory for firms.

    Agriculture is also developing in conditions state regulation and broad enough support. Lease relations and wage labor have not received distribution here. Only 7% of farms have more than 2 hectares of land. About 70% of farms successfully operate outside the industry. They are in the service sector and in industry. The state allowed them to work on the farm only on weekends.

    It should be noted that the country is a monopoly buyer of all agricultural products. The owners of the latter sell it at prices higher than world prices.

    The Japanese economic model is called very specific. After all, it perfectly combines not only economic and political methods, but also psychological methods. Some experts call the above model the philosophy of economic management. The consistency and absolute competitiveness of this method of functioning of the economy is evidenced by the amazing economic achievements of the country of the rising sun.

    Japan's economy today

    At the end of the 20th century, foreign exchange reserves were rapidly growing in the state. The Japanese government introduced a special system of measures to liberalize the export of the country's capital abroad. Today it is the most powerful international lender and banking center. Its share in international loans has grown significantly (from 5% in 1980 to 25% in 1990). The main form of foreign economic activity is just the export of capital.

    Experts note that most of the Japanese capital is successfully working in the USA, Western Europe, Asia, Latin America.

    In the second half of 2008, the economy of the Land of the Rising Sun went into recession. The volume of sales, for example, of cars in November of this year fell by more than 27%.

    The country has the lowest unemployment rate in the world. According to 2011 data, its rate was about 4%.

    There was no inflation in 2010. According to data for 2011, the inflation rate rose to 2%.

    Since 2014, experts say, the Japanese economy has successfully emerged from the recession. GDP growth, according to government data, is 2.2% on an annualized basis.

    To summarize a little, we can say that the Japanese economy is mainly focused on the export of goods. Recently, the Land of the Rising Sun has become the main supplier of high-precision technology, electronics and automobiles to the myrrh market. The products of the above sectors of the economy are of extremely high quality, very fast change of models and constant improvement. This makes it quite popular and in demand among consumers.

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    Climate features

    The geographical location of the country has a decisive influence on the way of life of the population. Japan is an island state. Nature has ordered in such a way that three climatic zones are combined in a very limited area: the sea coast, plains and mountainous regions. The agriculture of Japan was formed and developed in these conditions. The country is located in a zone of temperate climate, which is characterized by high humidity, due to the proximity of the ocean. Due to this, there is an intensive growth of vegetation. Or - as biologists put it - biomass.

    The specifics of the landscape

    There are no natural pastures on the territory of the country, which are typical for many continental regions. All territories suitable for these purposes are quickly overgrown with shrubs, and then trees. It is very difficult to artificially maintain pastures and grazing in working order. Such activities require significant labor costs. This explains the fact that the agriculture of Japan does not have a developed animal husbandry. For a long historical period, people living here have developed a special diet. Protein requirements are met by seafood.

    Rice is the main crop

    Agriculture in Japan is based on small-scale farming. It has long been estimated that the country's total agricultural area is very modest when compared to Argentina or China. So, in 2000 it was six million hectares. A typical peasant farm cultivates (approximately) 1 ha. The main focus is on rice cultivation. Almost three quarters of farms are engaged in the production of this product. It is grown in irrigated fields. It should be noted that its yield is very high and reaches fifty centners per hectare.

    Agricultural technologies

    At the beginning of the twentieth century, the country finally entered the world community of developed countries. And agriculture in Japan began to intensively absorb the experience of developed countries. A wide variety of plants began to be brought here - from fruit trees to vegetables. All effective techniques and technologies were applied in strict accordance with the instructions. New professions appeared in agriculture. However, the vast majority of the innovations did not take root in local conditions. Fruit trees either began to rot or were completely destroyed by insects. At the same time, there have been significant changes in the methods of tillage and seed selection.

    Integration into the global market

    For many centuries, the selection of the most productive varieties of rice took place here. Modern information technologies in agriculture have put this process on a systemic basis. Today, every farmer has the opportunity to use the seeds that are most suitable for his area. The level of mechanization of soil cultivation is very high. Experts note that the widespread use of mechanisms significantly increases the cost of agricultural products. At the same time, the country provides itself with food products only by 75%. The missing volumes are supplied from abroad.

    Japan is a highly industrialized country. Despite its small territory, Japan produces up to 12% of the world's industrial goods. The leading sectors of the Japanese economy are the production of materials and devices based on modern high technologies.

    Energy of Japan

    The basis of the electricity industry in Japan is imported oil due to the lack of its own oil fields, its share reaches 80%, which makes the country's energy sector rather vulnerable. In terms of electricity production, Japan ranks third in the world, behind the United States and China. The basis of the electric power industry is made up of thermal power plants, there are more than a thousand of them and they are located mainly near large cities, of which there are many. The largest thermal power plants in Japan are located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, near such megacities as Tokyo and Osaka. Also, nuclear power plants have been actively used in the electric power industry of Japan since the 80s of the 20th century. In total, there are formally 42 operating reactors in the country, but only 4 of them actually produce electricity. In 2017, the Japanese government plans to launch 10 more nuclear power plants and increase the share of electricity generated by them. An important role is played by the issue of NPP safety due to high seismic activity and frequent earthquakes, there are clear scenarios for actions in a critical situation, as well as constant checks of the safety and operability of equipment. The use of alternative energy sources in Japan is interesting. There are many volcanoes and geysers in the country, and attempts to use their energy were made already in the 70s. There were also attempts to use the energy of the Sun, but in our time its share is less than one percent.

    Metallurgy of Japan

    One of the most important branches of Japan's specialization is ferrous metallurgy, which experienced its boom in the 60s-70s of the 20th century, against the background of the increasing size of construction. However, after the crisis of the 80s, the ferrous metallurgy in Japan is declining and is now going through hard times. Despite this, Japan remains one of the world's largest steel exporters, exporting more than 25 million tons annually.

    Japan does not have its own mineral reserves, therefore, ferrous metallurgy is focused on imported raw materials: ore is imported from India, Australia and South Africa, and coking coal from Australia, the USA and Canada, which is why most metallurgical enterprises are located in coastal regions in close proximity to large cargo ports. Even despite the lack of its own raw materials, metallurgy in Japan has reached unprecedented heights, largely due to automation, as well as a large amount of investment in scientific and technological development. Now the main prospect for the development of the industry is to reduce energy costs and more efficient use of iron ores, which will reduce the country's dependence on imported raw materials.

    Mechanical engineering of Japan

    Mechanical engineering is the basis of the country's industry; it is rightfully considered one of the most developed and advanced in the world. The main industries of Japan's global specialization are automobile and shipbuilding, as well as the production of consumer electronics and robotics.

    The unusually rapid development of mechanical engineering in Japan after World War II is often called the "Japanese industrial miracle." Immediately after the war, the automotive industry in Japan was restricted by numerous legal prohibitions that impeded its development. The situation of the Japanese automotive industry was complicated by the low competitiveness of manufactured cars over imported ones, which were imported despite the ban emanating from the Japanese government.

    The impetus for the development of Japanese mechanical engineering was given by military orders made during the Korean War in the 50s. After that, the volume of car production grew steadily, which allowed Japan by the 1980s to come out on top in car production in the world and successfully hold it for 15 years. Now many Japanese carmakers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda remain world leaders and are not going to give up their positions, successfully coping with the industry crises. In total, the automotive industry, including car service and maintenance, employs about 6 million people in Japan.

    In the 1980s and 1990s, the country's economy showed a tendency for the development of science-intensive and high-tech industries, which allowed Japan to produce the world's highest quality consumer electronics and radio electronics. Until now, Japanese devices are famous for their quality, manufacturability and reliability. Many manufacturers of radio electronic products, medical equipment and optical devices receive support from the state, as they make a significant contribution not only to the economy, but also to scientific progress.

    Aircraft building

    The aircraft industry in Japan began to really develop only in the 1970s, thanks to agreements with Western countries. Recently, the civil aircraft industry has been developing more and more, already surpassing the military in terms of sales. Despite this, the Japanese military aircraft industry is also actively developing, although the government is concerned about the superiority of the United States in this area. The problem of the Japanese aircraft industry is the country's dependence on the United States for the production of engines and their parts, but the government is trying to solve it by investing in science and creating its own industries.

    Shipbuilding

    As in an island and high-tech state, shipbuilding is also developed in Japan. The most famous Japanese shipbuilding companies are Mitsubishi and Sasebo, which have many shipyards located mainly on the coasts of the Sea of ​​Japan and the Pacific Ocean. These are developed and technologically advanced enterprises, but recently they have to reduce their production capacity, since since the 80s of the last century, the demand for ships in the world has been falling. Currently, the successful existence of shipbuilding enterprises is provided by numerous orders of the Japanese Navy.

    Robotics

    Part of the national economic strategy is to develop robotics at the forefront of the world today. In addition to traditional industrial and industrial robotics aimed at improving production efficiency, robotics is actively developing in Japan, aimed at meeting the needs of an aging population. So, robots are gaining popularity, providing services for household care and health care... Humanoid robots are also being actively developed, some of which can even mimic the facial expressions of a human face. The traditional automobile manufacturers Honda and Toyota also contribute to the development of robotics, which indicates the importance of this direction in the future of the Japanese economy.

    Chemical industry

    Due to the high level of technology development, the chemical industry is an important industry in the Japanese economy. She received a big shift in the 60s, along with the energy industry, then the petrochemistry, based on the waste of the oil and gas industry, began to actively develop. Now the Japanese chemical industry in terms of production is in second place in the world and first in Asia. Industry leaders are Asahi Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical, Asahi Glass, Fuji Photo Film, Sekisui Chemical and many others.
    The most developed branches of the chemical industry are petrochemistry, the production of synthetic rubber, chemical fibers, and plastics. As in other areas, the Japanese leadership draws attention to the science intensity and manufacturability, biochemistry is considered a promising industry. It includes the development and production of pharmaceuticals and fertilizers. Due to environmental problems in the country, measures are being taken to limit the harmful effects of the chemical industry on nature, for which advanced technologies are also used. The Japanese chemical industry plays an important role in exports: Japanese medicines, household and industrial chemicals, fibers and cosmetics are exported by all over the world.

    Light industry

    Traditionally light industry in Japan it has always been at a high level of development and distinguished by its authenticity. The country still has such traditional industries as silk spinning and ceramics. However, with the development of technology, the specialization of Japanese light industry has changed a lot. Most of the production is now done in large enterprises, and the most developed branches of light industry are cotton and woolen, both work on imported raw materials, for the purchase of which very large sums are spent annually. Ceramics also remains a specialty of Japan due to its rich reserves of clays and centuries-old traditions of their processing; up to 75% of manufactured products are efficiently exported. There are several well-known centers of the ceramic industry in Japan, usually located near deposits such as Seto and Nagoya.

    Food industry in Japan

    The food industry in Japan operates mainly on imported raw materials, since the country does not have the capabilities and resources to produce its own. Japan is one of the world's largest food exporters. The average consumer basket in Japan has been growing lately, and there is also a demand for organic products and healthy food.

    The core of Japanese industry are large corporations that have become part of financial monopoly groups: Fuyo, Mitsubishi, Sumito-mo, Mitsui, Daiichi, etc. The main production is concentrated in the hands of individual concerns, but a significant role in the development of industry is assigned to small and medium-sized enterprises (see . atlas, p. 37).

    Japanese industry is inextricably linked with the world market. 50% of its cars, 90% of watches, 95% of video equipment, 75% of copiers, 50% of TVs are exported, but also 79% of coal, 99% of oil, 98%, 70% of wood, 100% of phosphates, bauxite, cotton, wool and other goods. It accounts for 12% of world industrial production. Japan holds the first place in the world in the production of ships (52%), cars (23.9%), tractors, household electrical appliances, robots, etc.

    The metropolitan area, especially the agglomeration - Keihin (Tokyo-Yokohama), Hanshin (Osaka, Kobe,), Chunyo (Nagoya) is the concentration of high-tech industries, where intersectoral complexes - combines were formed. The country ranks third in the world in terms of electricity production after Russia. 3/4 of its production falls on the largest thermal power plants (imported oil and coal), the rest - at nuclear power plants (Japan has the world's largest nuclear power plant) and hydroelectric power plants.

    Japan is the world leader (100 million tons of steel in 1996). Twenty full-cycle metallurgical plants operate here, the largest are in Kawa-kashi, Chiba, Tokai, Hirobata, Fukuyama, Kitakyushu.

    Japan is represented by 16 petrochemical complexes; the largest are in Kashima, Goi, Yokkaichi, Mizishima, Sakai. In terms of energy consumption, Japan ranks fourth in the world.

    Japan's share in the world production of machinery and equipment is over 10%. Engineering firms have mastered the entire product range of the industry. Leading engineering concerns are the backbone of Japan's export base, exporting 25% of its products. The main branches of mechanical engineering are: electrical engineering (33.3% of the industry's production), where 50% of products are radio electronics, transport engineering, in which the automotive industry takes the main place (12 million vehicles per year), shipbuilding, general mechanical engineering (production of equipment and machine tools) ...

    Japan has a powerful research and production complex. This makes it possible to consider the production of science-intensive and technically complex products as the main direction of the country's specialization in MGRT. The Tokyo-Yokagama metropolitan area owns 60% of scientific developments and 40% of the products of high-tech industries. Important role also plays Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya.

    The agro-industrial complex of Japan employs 25% of the economically active population, of which 6.6% - in agriculture and fishing, 19.2% - in the processing of agricultural products. The agro-industrial complex of the country provides 70% of its food needs.

    There are very few fertile lands in Japan. Currently, 5.1 million hectares are cultivated, where 3.7 million people work. The main branches of specialization of agribusiness are rice cultivation (the country gives 15 million tons of rice), horticulture, animal husbandry (3.5 million tons of meat are produced). Fishing is an important branch of the Japanese economy (Japan ranks first in the world). The pearl industry is also developed. The country's needs for other types of food are met by imports: 5.8 million tons of wheat, 20 million tons of corn, 5 million tons of beans and soybeans, 80% of sugar, 33% of fats and 20% of meat are imported.

    Japan's transport is at a high stage of development, in terms of the volume of freight and passenger traffic, Japan far exceeds any of the Western European countries, and in terms of passenger turnover, rail transport takes first place in the world. Domestic transportation is provided by three types of transport: road, rail and sea. External freight transportation are carried out by sea, and passenger - by air. For development land transport in connection with the island position, relief and economy of land, it becomes necessary to build tunnels, bridges between islands, underwater tunnels (the largest Honshu-Hokkaido up to 53 km, underwater tunnel "Seikan" (Honshu-Kyushu) with a length of 23 km), Japan has one of the world's largest park passenger cars and the tonnage of the merchant marine. But, despite these conditions, monorail railways with a speed of 250-300 km / h and high-speed highways (5 thousand km) connect all the economic centers of the islands.

    OBJECTIVES: -to get acquainted with the features of the industry and
    the territorial structure of the Japanese economy;
    -Continue building skills
    independent work with the text of the textbook, with
    maps and additional literature;
    -to educate geographic culture,
    broaden the horizons of students;
    -continue the formation of communicative
    culture.

    Form of government and state structure

    Japan is a constitutional monarchy. Before
    adoption of the 1947 Constitution was
    An absolute monarchy. Currently
    Emperor of the country Akihito -symbol
    state and unity of the nation. By
    state structure Japan -
    unitary state, consisting of 46
    prefectures and provinces.

    Title inheritance.

    He has no heir. But there is a daughter
    so now in Japan it is considered
    the question of female inheritance.
    All tendencies to the fact that the issue will be resolved
    positively. Majority in parliament
    and the Cabinet of Ministers are in favor
    changing laws in favor of the princess

    Main industries: pp. 244-245

    - mechanical engineering.
    - ferrous metallurgy.
    - chemical industry.
    The share of ferrous metallurgy and chemical
    industry begins to shrink, so
    how environmental problems arose.
    There is a decrease in the import of raw materials.
    There has been a shift towards knowledge-intensive
    industries.

    Electricity of Japan

    NPP location

    Fuel and energy complex

    Fuel and energy
    industry is characterized
    development of nuclear energy,
    an increase in the share of coal in TPPs. NPP - 30
    %, Hydroelectric power plants - 60% of all electricity.
    Big role - non-traditional
    energy sources and use
    Hydroelectric power station.

    Mechanical engineering is a leading industry. In terms of the share of engineering products in exports, Japan ranks first in

    world (64%)
    Automotive, shipbuilding, machine tools, robotics, household
    electronics, watch production. Automotive, industrial
    robots and ships Japan ranks first in the world.

    Agriculture

    Agriculture
    Japan's agriculture is different
    high intensity. In structure
    agriculture prevails
    plant growing. Main culture
    is fig. Developed gardening and
    horticulture. Development received
    Breeding cattle,
    pig and poultry farming.

    Fishing is an important industry. In terms of fish catch, Japan ranks first. There are more than three thousand fishing ports in the country.

    Intensive
    the use of the resources of the sea has led to the development
    mariculture

    transport

    The transport system is high
    level of development. Japan has developed
    almost all types of transport, for
    with the exception of river and pipeline. By
    the size of traffic Japan surpasses the countries
    Western Europe. Feature of transport
    is the high level of its technical
    equipment: automated system
    transport management, wide application
    find monorail high-speed rail
    roads.

    Shinkansen Highway - New Line

    Its length is about 1100 km. average speed
    trains - 200 km per hour or more. Distance
    Tokyo-Osaka (515 km.) Express "Hikari"
    takes place in 2 hours 15 minutes.

    The Seto-Ohashi Bridge connecting the islands of Honshu and Shikoku.

    International economic ties

    The share of Japan in the world economy exceeds 1/10.
    By total exports, Japan
    takes 3rd place in the world after the USA and Germany.
    Manufactured goods account for 98%, machinery and
    equipment - 75%. Export of cars - 5.7 million, mainly
    the market was and remains the United States. The rest of the export
    goes to Western Europe.
    Recently, the share of fuel and raw materials has decreased, but increased
    share of machinery and equipment.
    The country is increasingly reorienting itself from
    export of goods for export of capital.
    Japanese direct investment goes to
    North America, Europe and Asia.

    Why has Japan become a leader in the global economy?

    - Low cost of weapons.
    -Purchase of patents, licenses, their quick implementation
    into production.
    -Use of high technologies.
    -State regulation of the economy.
    -Highly qualified workers.
    -Features of the Japanese mentality - hard work and
    enthusiasm.
    -Export orientation of the economy.
    -Unique control system.

    Why is Japan called "a country with two faces"? (p. 248 clause 4)

    Obverse - Pacific Belt. it
    socio-economic core of the country -
    main industrial areas of Tokyo, Osaka,
    Nagoya, Kitakyushu, most thermal power plants, nuclear power plants,
    industrial enterprises.
    The back side is the peripheral zone. it
    Hokkaido and mountain-forest regions of Honshu -
    harvesting wood, minerals,
    hydropower, animal husbandry.

    The economic power of the state after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, after the devastating earthquake in 2011, did not decrease in this

    amazing
    country,
    where people are contrary to nature, which did not give
    they have no minerals, no land
    have reached such economic heights. But
    the way of life of the Japanese remains
    the same. The same
    rituals and traditions as they were before.
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