JAPAN
PRESENTED BY- ATHARVA SRIVASTAVA
CLASS- XI-D
ROLL NO-12
CERTIFICATE
• This is to certify that Atharva Srivastava of class 11-D has
successfully completed the project work of history for class
11 practical examination of the current Ciltural Board of
Secondary Education in the year 2023-24. It is further
certified that this project is the individual work of the
candidate.
Acknowledgement
• I would like to thank my Principal, Mrs. Jyoti Arora for giving
me a great opportunity to do this wonderful project. I am
also grateful to my history teacher Mrs. Rolly Singh for
advising and introducing the project to me and explaining it
to me which helped me to complete my project easily. I
would like to thank my parents for undersatding and
supporting me whenever needed in the course of this
project.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
• Physical Features
• Japan is a string of islands, the four largest being Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and
Hokkaido.
• There is no major river system.
• More than 50 per cent of the land area of the main islands is mountainous and Japan
is situated in a very active earthquake zone.
• There are various homogenous ethnic group, like there are a small Ainu minority and
Koreans who were forcibly brought as labour when Korea was a Japanese colony.
• Language spoken in mostly Japanese.
• Japan lacks a tradition of animal rearing.
• Rice is the staple crop and fish the major source of protein.
• Raw fish (sashimi or sushi) has now become a widely popular dish around the world
as it is considered very healthy
POLITCAL SYSTEM
• Political System
• Japan became a modern country from the days of petty daimyo of Japan.
• In the twelfth century the imperial court lost power to shoguns, who in
theory ruled in the name of the emperor, with the help of samurais (the
warrior class) and daimyo with their capital in Edo (modern Tokyo).
• In the sixteenth century, Samurai insured peace and order.
• Japan was divided into more than 250 domains under the rule of lords
called daimyo.
• In the late sixteenth century, three changes laid the pattern for future
development.
• The peasantry was disarmed and only the samurai could carry swords. This
ensured peace and order, ending the frequent wars of the previous century.
• The daimyo were ordered to live in the capitals of their domains, each with a
large degree of autonomy.
By the mid-seventeenth century, Japan had the most populated city in the
world – Edo – but also had two other large cities – Osaka and Kyoto.
Growth of a commercial economy and a vibrant culture blossomed in the
towns, where the fast growing class of merchants patronised theater and
the arts.
Increased use of money and creation of stock market led the economy in
new ways.
Social and intellectual changes took place – such as the study of ancient
Japanese literature – led people to question the degree of Chinese
influence and study of ancient Japanese literature promoted
THE MEJI RESTORATION
• The Meiji restoration is termed as one of the most momentous
events in the Japanese history.
• There was demands for trade and diplomatic relations. In 1853,
the USA demanded Japan that the government sign a treaty
that would permit trade and open diplomatic relations.
• Japan lay on the route to China which the USA saw as a major
market. At that time, there was only one Western country that
traded with Japan, Holland.
• In 1868, a movement removed Shogun and brought Emperor to
Edo. This was made the capital and renamed Tokyo, which
means ‘eastern capital.
•British dominance in Asia alerted Japan, and scholars there wanted to learn
European modern ideas. Many scholars and leaders wanted to learn from the new
ideas in Europe; others sought to exclude the Europeans even while being ready to
adopt the new technologies they offered. Some argued for a gradual and limited
‘opening’ to the outer world.
•To develop their economy and build a strong army, the government with the slogan
slogan ‘fukoku kyohei’ (rich country, strong army), created a sense of nationhood
among the people and transform subjects into citizens.
•The government also built the ’emperor system’ – a system, where mperor along
with the bureaucracy and the military, exercised power. The Emperor was treated
with considered a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess but he was also reverence
as he was shown as the leader of westernisation. His birthday became a national
holiday, he wore Western-style military uniforms
RE-emerging as a Global Power
• During the 1930, Japan excercised imperialist policy and
invaded China to extend its colonial empire. Japan’s
attempt to carve out a colonial empire ended with its
defeat by the Allied forces. However, it was defeated in the
World War II when US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. It resulted in huge destruction of
masses. Under the US-led Occupation (1945-47) Japan was
demilitarised and a new constitution introduced. Japanese
philosopher Miyake Setsurei (1860-1945) argued that
each nation must develop its special talents in the interest
of world civilisation: The rapid rebuilding of the Japanese
economy after its shattering defeat was called a post-war
‘miracle
•The new constitution had Article 9, the so-called ‘no war clause’ that renounces the use
of war as an instrument of state policy.
•Agrarian reforms, the re-establishment of trade unions and an attempt to dismantle
the zaibatsu or large monopoly houses that dominated the Japanese economy were also
carried out.
•Constitution was democratised.
•Political parties were revived and the first post-war elections held in 1946.
•Suffrage was given to women in the elections of 1946.
•There was close relation between the government, bureaucracy and industry.
•Japan also introduced better goods at cheaper rates in the market with its advanced
technologies.
•US support, as well as the demand created by the Korean and the Vietnamese wars also
helped the Japanese economy.
•The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo, it symbolised the maturity of Japan’s economy.
•The introduction of network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in
1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour, added to it prosperity.
•In 1960s several pressure groups protested against industrial pollution.
Industrialisation was pushed with utter disregard with the growth of civil society
movements, due to its harmful effect on health and the environment.
•Government action and new legal regulations helped to improve conditions.
