Today’s Issues:

East Asia

The issues facing East Asian nations include earthquakes, economic recessions, growing populations, and rapidly changing societies.

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SECTION 1 The Ring of Fire

SECTION 2 Trade and Prosperity

Today’s Issues:

East Asia

Case Study Population and the Quality of Life

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Section 1

The Ring of Fire • The islands of Japan form part of a

geologically active area called the Ring of Fire.

• Because of its location, Japan has faced disastrous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

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Physical Forces in the Ring of Fire

Shifting Plates • Many Japanese cities are threatened by

earthquakes- Japan is on the Ring of Fire—chain of volcanoes

around Pacific Rim • Subduction—oceanic plate slides under continental

plate • In East Asia, Pacific oceanic plate meets Eurasian

continental plate- crumpled continental crust forms mountains,

volcanoes- stress builds where plates meet; sudden slip

creates earthquake

SECTION

1 The Ring of Fire

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The Geology of Japan

Volcanoes • Subduction of Pacific plate under Eurasian plate

created volcanoes- volcanoes formed Japanese islands

• Since first records, at least 60 Japanese volcanoes have been active- best-known Japanese landform, Mt. Fuji, is a

volcano

SECTION

1

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

1

Earthquakes and Tsunamis • An average of 1,000 earthquakes occur in Japan

each year- most are mild, but some cause many deaths,

great destruction • 1923 Great Kanto earthquake and its fires killed

140,000 people- left Tokyo in ruins, damaged or destroyed

700,000 homes • Underwater earthquakes move ocean floor; can

create tsunami- huge wave of great destructive power that can

reach over 100 feet

continued The Geology of Japan

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Preparing for Disasters

Problems • Older buildings won’t withstand earthquakes as well

as newer ones- some are built on less stable ground or landfill

• Underground gas lines are likely to rupture in an earthquake- leaking gas can catch fire

• Crowded blocks and narrow streets hinder rescue operations

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1

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

1

Solutions • Japan has strict building code

- engineers study how different buildings withstand quakes

- studies affect codes governing constructionmaterials, techniques

- this makes newer buildings safer than older ones • Schoolchildren have yearly disaster drills with

firemen

continued Preparing for Disasters

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Section 2

Trade and Prosperity • East Asian economies became global

powerhouses in the 1970s and 1980s.

• The decline of Asian economies in the 1990s created a crisis that spread around the globe.

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Opening Doors

Opening to the West • East Asian nations are isolated from world until

1500s- Europeans use various means, including force, to

end isolation • By 1800s, treaties give Europeans spheres of

influence in East- exclusive areas where specific nations control

trade • Commodore Matthew Perry sails to Japan in 1853

to open U.S. trade- U.S. warships intimidate Japan into opening up to

U.S., West

Trade and Prosperity SECTION

2

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Continued . . .

SECTION

2

Industrialization and Globalization • After WWII, nations industrialize, East-West trade

increases- “Made in China,” “Made in Japan” labels are

common in West •Regional economies merge, global economy

develops- global economy—nations are interdependent for

goods, services • Japan imports resources, exports manufactured

goods worldwide • East Asian nations use cheap labor to become

manufacturing powers

continued Opening Doors

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Powerful Economies of East Asia

Zone of Prosperity • Many Asian economies do very well in 1980s, early

’90s • Economically powerful nations in Pacific Rim zone

of prosperity - called the Jakota Triangle—Japan, Korea

(South), Taiwan • But by mid-1990s these economies are having

problems

SECTION

2

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

2

Economic Problems Arise • Asian economies run on efficiency, innovation, and

cheap labor •1995 report from UNICEF (the United Nations

Children’s Fund)- over 500,000 East Asian children work in

factories, beg on streets • Bank, business bankruptcies in mid-1990s panic

foreign investors - they sell Asian stocks; riots occur; governments

topple • Japan enters recession—an extended decline in

business activity

continued Powerful Economies of East Asia

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Continued . . .

SECTION

2

A Global Ripple Effect • Many of the world’s economies are interconnected

- Asian economic crisis spreads through the world- creates concern on New York Stock Exchange,

other exchanges •Steps are taken to prevent global economic

downturn- World Bank, International Monetary Fund step in- they lend money to East Asian countries that

promise reform •The economic downslide begins to reverse

continued Powerful Economies of East Asia

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Continued . . .

SECTION

2

The Promise of Reform • Crisis shows East Asia that serious reform is

needed- increased wages for adult workers- ban on child-labor, forced-labor practices

•Reform also requires an end to using sweatshops- places where people work long hours in poor

conditions for pennies

continued Powerful Economies of East Asia

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Case Study Population and the Quality of Life

BACKGROUND• Some East Asian countries, cities are among

world’s most prosperous • Japan, South Korea, Taiwan have high incomes,

life spans, literacy • Economies are strong, but today’s problem is

managing population

What Pressures Does Population Put on the Environment?

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Case Study

The Situation at Mid-Century • In mid-1900s, East Asian nations are among

world’s least developed- poor health, literacy, economic statistics- widespread poverty, short life expectancy

• High fertility rates, but also high infant and maternal death rates- in 1950, region’s women marry young, average

six children • Economies remain rural through mid-century

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Patterns of Population

Case Study

Environmental Stress • Policy makers know population control is key to

solving problems • Unrestricted population growth strains quality of

life, environment- food production is barely adequate- lack of sanitation fouls water supplies- water tables are drained to low levels

• East Asian governments move to prevent catastrophe

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Addressing Population Problems

Continued . . .

Case Study

Problems and Policies • Aggressive family planning programs level, then

lower birth rates - by 2000, region’s women marry later, average

2.5 children • In China, 1950-55 birth rate was 6.2 children per

woman - drops down to 1.82 children per woman in 2000

continued Addressing Population Problems

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Impressive Results • Drop in birth rate, industrialization lead to fast

economic growth- life expectancy, literacy rates are now among

world’s highest

Case Study

Some Ongoing Problems • Region’s huge populations still put pressure on

environment- a 1% growth rate in China equals 13 million

people each year • Population growth is concentrated in cities

- more people require more housing, sanitation, transportation

• Citizens don’t always like family planning programs- feel China’s one-child-per-family policy

compromises rights

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The Quality of Life

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