East Asia

20th Century

Two rival reformist groups arose in the early 20th century: -1. KMT - the urban and middle class socialist national party -2. the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which appealed to rural areas. Japan took advantage of the internal struggle in China and invaded (1930s). The KMT was pushed out by the CCP. The communist revolution (1949) led to the reallocation of land and wealth. -All aspects of economic and social life became subject to central planning by the Communist party. Life drastically improved for the Chinese after the revolution. Nonetheless, this progress came at enormous human and environmental costs. -During the Great Leap Forward, 30 million people died from famine brought on by the rush to fulfill poorly planned development objectives. •Environmental degradation also occurred. -In 1966, the Cultural Revolution enforced support for the Communist government and punished dissenters. 1980s, a series of reforms initiated to liberalize China's economy which did not materialize. In 2009, after more than 30 years of reform and remarkable levels of economic growth, China's economy became the third largest in the world, behind that of the European Union and the United States. The disparity of wealth in China has been increasing for some years, human rights are still often abused, and political activity remains tightly controlled even as discontent boils over into open protests against government foibles.

the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

appealed to rural areas The KMT was pushed out by the CCP. The communist revolution (1949) led to the reallocation of land and wealth. -All aspects of economic and social life became subject to central planning by the Communist party.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Technology Development Zones (ETDZs)

are central to the new market reforms in China. -They have brought international investment and industry because they are free trade zones. -They are also growth poles because their success is drawing more investment and migration. City life and working in manufacturing has had many shortfalls, but things are improving as a results of the success of China's SEZs and ETDZs.

Climate The monsoon climates of the east

are influenced by the extremely cold conditions of the huge Eurasian land mass in the winter and the warm temperatures of the surrounding seas and oceans in the summer. •During the winter monsoons, dry frigid arctic air can result in long, bitter winters. •During the summer, warm, tropical air from the Pacific Ocean brings rain. •Japan and Korea have wet climates all year. •Forests vary from coniferous to tropical rain forests. •Today, however, forests have been taken down.

islands of Japan

are volcanic and not part of the continental shelf. -This area is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. -It is vulnerable to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. •Mount Fuji, one of the most recognizable symbols, last erupted in 1707.

Toyota Motor Corporation

best known for automotive production, has been building houses for the Japanese market since the mid-1970s. In 2000, it introduced a house that has an earthquake-resistant steel frame, excellent thermal insulation, and solar-powered roofing panels. The emphasis is on superior construction and environmental considerations

Women

confined to domestic spaces

Taklimaken Desert

desert, the warmest and driest in China, sits in the Tarim Basin between the Kunlun Mountains and the Plateau of Tibet to the south and the Tien Shan to the north

DaimlerChrysler

formally opened its first factory in China in September 2006. The factory, in suburban Beijing, makes Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler sedans for the upscale market. DaimlerChrysler is joining a rush of foreign automakers for a share of the booming Chinese car market with its U.S. $1.9 billion investment in China.

inventions

included papermaking, printing, paper currency, and gunpowder.

Climate The dry western zone

lies in the interior of the East Asian land mass. •This region experiences extremes in daily and seasonal temperatures. •Intense cold in winters and intense heat in summer. •Grasses and deserts cover most of the land in this dry region. •The Mongolian Plateau is found in this climate zone. •Large, uninhabited areas are found.

Mount Fuji

one of the most recognizable symbols, last erupted in 1707. Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, at 12,388 At one time considered a sacred mountain, today Mount Fuji attracts some 200,000 climbers annually, 30% of them foreigners

Population

one-fourth of humanity

Himalayas

result of colliding plates

KMT

the urban and middle class socialist national party The KMT was pushed out by the CCP.

Cultural Diversity in East Asia

ultural diversity exists throughout East Asia. -There are more than 55 different minority groups scattered across China. 93% of Chinese citizens call themselves "people of the Han". The Tibetans are an impoverished ethnic minority of nearly 5 million people. -The Chinese suppressed the Tibetan Buddhist religion, massacring many thousands monks and nuns. -The spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, was forced into exile in India with thousands of his followers. -The Han Chinese were resettled in Tibet where they control the economies and major cities, forcing Tibetans to adopt Chinese ways. Millions of "overseas Chinese" live in cities and towns around the world, especially in SE Asia. -Most have settled permantly in these new homelands.

basins, plateaus, and low mountain ranges

A broad expanse of basins, plateaus, and low mountain ranges. -Includes deep, dry basins and deserts to the north of the Plateau of Tibet. •Also includes grasslands and deserts of the Mongolian Plateau.

Communists in Command - main land economies

After WWII, China, Mongolia, and North Korea abolished private property and government took control of the economy. Communes took over all aspects of life. -Small landowners were banded together into cooperatives so that they could pool their resources and labor to increase agricultural production. The focus was on heavy industry, not consumer goods. -Funds came from agriculture. Regions were encouraged to develop independently to create more jobs resulted in wasted time and resources. -Many outdated, highly polluting small industries across China date from this era. In North Korea, the Communist party often futilely aimed at impressing the outside world; displays of power included rocket launching and low-level nuclear testing. In Mongolia, the Communist party placed emphasis on mining and industry, getting away from their previously dominant herding and forestry industries. China's interior west have always been poorer than the coastal east. -This spatially uneven development continues to plague the Chinese even today. China's leaders enacted market reforms that have transformed not only China's economy but also the economies of East Asia and the whole world. Today, China is the world's largest producer of manufactured goods, supplying consumers across the globe.

Communist regimes

After WWII, The Communist regimes of China, Mongolia, and North Korea relied on central planning by the government to set production goals and distribute goods among its citizens. The Communist regimes of China, Mongolia, and North Korea relied on central planning to set production quotas and to allocate goods among their citizens. China and Mongolia have adopted reforms that rely more on market forces. China relies heavily on exported manufactured goods to North America and Europe.

Qin Shi Huang

After unifying China in 221 B.C.E., Qin Shi Huang became its emperor. One of his many public works was the creation of a life-sized terracotta army of thousands of lifelike soldiers, each with its own distinctive face and body in a vast underground chamber that became his mausoleum. Since 1974, archaeologists have been excavating, restoring, and preserving this site near modern day Xian. It attracts more than 2 million visitors per year.

Bureaucracy and Imperial China

Agricultural societies developed a feudal system nearly 4000 years ago. A new order emerged between 400 and 221 B.C. that laid foundations for great Chinese empires. The Qin dynasty emerged as a single dominant kingdom.

ethnic groups of China

Although the most populated areas in the east and southeast are dominated by the Han, China is home to a number of distinct ethnic groups. Recent resettling of Han in Xinjiang and Tibet, nor does it show the Hui, people from many ethnic groups whose ancestors converted to Islam and who are found in disparate locations along the old Silk Road and in coastal southeastern China.

Fisheries and Globalization

Many East Asians depend on ocean-caught fish for protein. Japan consumes 15% of the global wild fish catch with 2% of the world's population. -Japan has long been criticized for overfishing. -With more than 75% of the world's fisheries either fully exploited or in decline, there is little room for Japan to expand its fish intake.

Imperialism European and Japanes

Mid 1500s, colonizers brought a strong interest in commerce and new food crops. By the 19th century, European influence had increased markedly as European merchants gained access to Chinese markets. Mid 1800s, China tried to fight off European incursion during the Opium wars which broke out between Britain and China over China's unsuccessful attempt to crack down on the illegal importance of opium. -China lost the wars and paid dearly. The final blow to China's preeminence in East Asia came in 1895 when a rapidly modernizing Japan won a naval victory over China in the Sino-Japanese War. From the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 to China's communist takeover in 1949, China was ruled by warlords in rural areas and by a mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and European administrations in the major cities.

Opium wars

Mid 1800s, China tried to fight off European incursion during the Opium wars which broke out between Britain and China over China's unsuccessful attempt to crack down on the illegal importance of opium. -China lost the wars and paid dearly.

Mongolia

Mongolia was colonized by China from 1691 until the early 20th century. Mongolia followed a communist system until the breakup of the Soviet Union where it is finding a difficult to a free market economy. Mongolia has, since 1989, been on a difficult road to a market economy. In need of cash to participate in the modern world, families have elected to abandon nomadic herding and permanently locate their portable homes and search for paid employment.

Human Well-Being

More than most regions, human well-being varies widely from country to country. Assessing progress toward gender is difficult because patterns are irregular where figures are available. China has made significant strides since the 1970s in reducing infant mortality rates and increasing life expectancies.

agriculture

Nearly half of China's crop production takes place along the fertile banks of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River). Among the crops grown are rice, wheat, barley, corn, beans, cotton, and hemp. Note the terrace-style fields throughout the landscape (below). China's agricultural zones. As part of the economic reforms instituted in recent years in China, greater regional specialization in agricultural products is taking place.

dictatorship

North Korean dictatorship remains in tight control

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Opened in July 2006, the world's highest railway - including nearly 596 miles built at an altitude above 13,123 feet (oxygen may be needed as seen on picture on the right) - is a controversial engineering feet. It now connects Beijing to Lhasa, a trip that takes 48 hours at a cost of U.S. $50 - U.S. $150. In addition to transporting goods and people to and from Tibet, the railway is expected to add to Tibet's main industry, tourism. Tibetans worry that it sill become a conduit for more Han migration to Tibet.

democracies

Politically Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Mongolia have become democracies.

Politics in East Asia

Pressures for greater democracy are growing throughout East Asia Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have well-established democratic political systems. Most experts on China agree that a steady shift toward greater democracy is underway. Political freedoms are relatively well protected in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, but China and North Korea have fewer outlets that citizens can use to directly influence the government. Nevertheless, pressure for more access to public political participation is growing.

Japan global employer

Resources from all over the world are shipped to Japan, and Japanese purchases are mainstays of local economies in the supplying countries, effectively making Japan something of a global employer.

Economic boom

Shanghai's latest transformation. The city's urban landscape has been remade by the construction of more than a thousand business and residential skyscrapers; subway lines and stations; highway overpasses; bridges and tunnels. For hundreds of miles into the countryside, suburban development linked to Shanghai's economic boom is gobbling up farmland, and displaced farmers have rioted.

Shinjuku business

The Shinjuku business and shopping district in the west of Tokyo is known for its over-the-top sight and sound experiences. Every conceivable product or service is available for money.

Population aging

The average age of the population is rising. All countries face issues with an aging population.

climate change Natural Hazards and Energy Vulnerability

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused a meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Halted or curtailed plans for expanding nuclear power in Japan and around the globe.

Chinese empires

The extent of Chinese empires, 221 B.C.E. - 1850 C.E. The Chinese state has expanded and contracted throughout its history. In the 10th century, China was the world's most developed region. The city of Hangzhou (near modern Shanghai) was sophisticated and impressed Europeans

Sons vs daughters

The idea of having only one child and having it be a daughter can cause despair. -The preference for a son remains strong. There are 113 boys for every 100 girls born. What happened to the missing girls? - the births of these girls may simply have gone unreported as families hoped to conceal their daughter and try again for a son - girls are given up for adoption much more often than boys - girls may have died in early infancy, either through neglect or infanticide - some parents chose to abort a female fetus

Migrant workers

By 2009, some 145 million migrant workers had moved from rural areas to urban jobs in China. About one-third of these migrant were women.

economics

By 2012, foreign banks owned 35% of U.S. public debt. -Of that 35%, Chinese and Japanese banks owned 42 percent, or about U.S.$2.3 trillion. China and Japan both had a great deal of cash because of their successful export economies. They lent the money partly to ensure that consumers in the United States would continue to buy their goods. Many in the U.S. are afraid that China, especially, can wield a lot of economic power because it holds so much of the U.S. debt. Both sides are equally dependent on each other for economic success.

Population Distribution

China contains one fifth (1.35 billion) of the world's population. 90% of China's people are clustered on only one-sixth of the total land area (see the density map below). -People are concentrated especially densely in the eastern third of China. People extract a very high level of agricultural land from this land at a considerable cost to the environment.

Three Gorges Dam: The Power of Water

China has 22,000 large dams displacing millions of people. The Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam in the world at 600 feet (183 meters) high and 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) wide. It is designed to improve navigation on the Chang Jiang and control flooding, but also produces hydroelectric energy. The dam's position above a seismic fault has caused as many as 80 visible cracks in the dam creating doubts about its structural integrity. Any failure of the dam would be a financial as well as human disaster. The dam cost $25 billion to build, and after completion 1.23 million people had to be relocated due to the dam reservoir. Even though the dam has created countless problems, Chinese construction companies are trying to build more dams.

Urbanization

China has undergone the most massive urbanization in world history. Fueled by urban factories in coastal cities. The urban population has more than tripled to 700 million. In 2012, 19 of the 20 fastest growing cities in the world, measured by GDP, where in China In China, urbanites represent 51% of the total population with more growth likely. Some of the largest and wealthiest urban areas in the world are in East Asia. China's cities are undergoing particularly rapid growth.

Coal

China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal (46% of world total).

Climate Change

China now leads the U.S. as the world's largest overall producer of greenhouse gases. -The accomplishments that have advanced China have also affected the environment negatively. China's greenhouse gas emissions will potentially double by 2030 as its urban households adopt Western lifestyles.

Population China

China's population over 65 is 9%. China's population is aging. China's parliament passed a law in 2013 that requires family members to visit and support their elderly relatives. -Difficult to enforce.

Air Pollution

Consumption of fossil fuels is increasing with industrialization. Coal burning is the primary cause of China's poor air quality. -By 2006, China was bringing a new coal-fired power plant on line every week. China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal (46% of world total). Air pollution leads to water pollution and acid rain. The geographic pattern of air pollution correlates with patterns of population density, urbanization and industrialization. Taiwan has some of the dirtiest air in the world. -High rate of industrialization. -4 motor vehicles for every 5 residents.

climate change Flooding in Central China

Flooding is worsening due to climate change. Engineers have constructed elaborate systems to help control floods.

Japan Becomes a World Leader

From 1895 to 1945, to fend off European imperialism, to expand it resource base further, and to gain a labor force for its mines and factories, Japan colonized Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria, and then pushed farther into China and Southeast Asia (see the map below). Japan's defeat in WWII led to the loss of all its foreign territories. Japan rebuilt after WWII and became a giant in the global economy. -Japan exported automobiles, electronic goods, and many other goods to the developed world. -Is still among the world's largest and most technologically advanced. Japan's expansions, 1875-1945. Japan colonized Korea, Taiwan (Formosa), Manchuria, China, and parts of Southeast Asia, and several Pacific islands to further its program of economic modernization and to fend off European imperialism in the early 20th century.

Korean War

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was a colony of Japan. To prevent the entire country from coming under Soviet control, the U.S. proposed dividing Korea at the 38th parallel. -The U.S. took control of the southern half and the Soviet Union took control of the north half. Communist North Korea and capitalist South Korea were torn apart by civil war after North Korea attacked South Korea in June 1950. In 1953, after a 3 year war and great life lost on both sides, the war ended in a truce and the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 38th parallel. North Korea closed itself from the rest of the world. South Korea evolved into a prosperous free-market economy.

climate change Glacial Melting

Glaciers are melting rapidly. - Scientists predict they will eventually disappear, resulting in significantly lower flows to these two rivers during the winter, when little rain falls

Recession and Subsequent Low Economic Performance

In the early 1990s, the Japanese economy showed signs of strain and the situation worsened by a financial crisis in the late 1990s that swept through Southeast Asia. •Some believe the long standing close relationship between government and industry was at fault because it constrained the economy with overly ambitious real estate investments at home and abroad and overexpansion of industrial productive capacity. •The close relationship between government and industry had nurtured favoritism that resulted in inefficiency. •Japan increased its productivity between 1988 and 1992 when demand for its products began to diminish. •Economic strains and lack of growth to overprotected workers who have little incentive to be inventive.

Political Freedom

Increased internet access due to increase in political freedom. By 2012, more than 500 million (or 38% of the population) were connected to the Internet. The internet in China is not an open forum that it is in most Western countries.

Internet

Increased internet access due to increase in political freedom. By 2012, more than 500 million (or 38% of the population) were connected to the Internet. The internet in China is not an open forum that it is in most Western countries. Internet use in East Asia, 2012. Some parts of East Asia have very high Internet use (rust), while China and Mongolia have relatively low rates. Nonetheless, in these two countries, diffusion of information coming from the Internet has significant influence on public awareness, something the government tries to control, but not always successful.

just-in-time system

Japan has major innovations in manufacturing that have boosted its productivity. The just-in-time system clusters together companies that are part of the same production process so that they can deliver parts to each other when they are needed.

kaizen system

Japan has major innovations in manufacturing that have boosted its productivity. of continuous improvement in manufacturing and business management. In this system, production lines are constantly surveyed for errors, which helps ensure that fewer defective parts are produced.

Japan export industries

Japan is known for its successful export industries and trade with the U.S. and Europe. -For much of the post-WWII period, Japan's economy grew roughly 10% a year (1950 - 1970s). -Heavy industry and electronics manufacturing were the leading sectors. -Japanese brand names such as Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, and Toyota became household words in North America and Europe

Population Japan

Japan's population is growing slowly and aging rapidly. Japan has the lowest growth rate in the region at -0.2%. -Japan's population drop from the current 128 million to 95.5 million by 2050. Japan has the longest life expectancies in the world at 83 years. By 2050, Japan's labor pool could be reduced by a third. -Rely more on immigrants. -Keep elderly fit so they can work longer. In Japan, recruiting immigrant workers is an unpopular solution. -Many Japanese object to foreigners. The government has invested in robotics to fill employment needs

state-aided market economies

Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea established state-aided market economies with the assistance and support of the U.S. and Europe. •This is similar to the free market system in the West, but the government maintains a distinct interventionist role. -Supply, demand, and competition for customers determine many economic decisions. -Government intervenes strategically. government intervention was designed to enable export-led growth. -an economic development strategy that relies heavily on the production of manufactured goods destined for sale abroad. A key to Japan's rapid recovery was its state-aided market economy, in which government guided private investors in creating new manufacturing industries.

One-Child Policy

The one-child policy created a major challenge in a society that placed great value on the extended family. -Within two generations, the kinship categories of cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, disappeared from all families that complied with the policy. A very large elderly population that must be supported by a relatively small group of people of working age. -In China, the elderly are especially dependent on the younger generation. The one-child-per-family is the most common family form in China, although the policy is not popular. -Rural families are exempt from the policy, although most have 2 children. Incentives may be offered to couples (in urban areas) that have only one child, but it is not consistent. -Housing allowances or special chances for promotions. Those that have additional children may be penalized. -Demoted, lose benefits, or pay fines. Population control has been effective. -China's population should start to shrink sometime between 2025 and 2050. *China announced the end of the controversial one-child policy and said it was instead encouraging all couples to have two children. This new policy will come into effect on January 1, 2016. All second babies born on this date and after will be "legal," according to state media.

Women

There is now a growing shortage of women of marriageable age throughout East Asia. Many educated young women are too busy with career success to meet eligible young men. At least 10 percent of young Chinese men will fail to find a mate. The shortage of women will lower the birth rate further. Kidnapping and forced prostitution of young girls and women are increasing.

` coastal plains and deltas of China's great rivers

This area is found east of the upland zone. -It consists mainly of broad coastal plains and the deltas of China's great rivers. -Includes China's northeast, the Korean Peninsula, and the western most parts of Siberia.

Continental shelf and numerous islands

-The shelf is covered by the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. -The islands of Hong Kong, Hainan, and Taiwan are anchored on this continental shelf.

growth rate

0.4%

Confucianism

2500 years ago, Confucianism taught that the best organizational model was a hierarchy modeled after a patriarchal family. Women were confined to domestic spaces Confucianism served the interests of the political and economic elite.

Great Leap Forward

30 million people died from famine brought on by the rush to fulfill poorly planned development objectives. •Environmental degradation also occurred.

Food Security and Sustainability in East Asia

About 75% of the food consumed in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan is imported. East Asia's food security—the capacity of the people in a geographic area to consistently provide themselves with adequate food—is increasingly linked to the global economy. China is nearly self-sufficient with regard to basic necessities, but it relies on imports of commodities to supply growing demands for grain and soybeans for animal feed and luxury food items. Recent price increases for grain and other basic food commodities illustrate the perils of dependence on food imports.

agriculture

Because the East Asian land mass has so few flat portions and the climate is harsh, people have had to be inventive in creating spaces for agriculture. -For example, they have terraced mountain ranges.

International

Dramatic economic changes allowed China to be admitted to the World Trade Organization in 2001. -Because so much growth is based on environmentally destructive activities and on abuses of workers, both of which effectively lower production costs so that its goods can sell at lower prices. The extravagance of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing became a subject of criticism by the global media. -Today, many of the venues go unused, but residents have benefited from the improvements of transportation and infrastructure.

climate change Water Shortages

Droughts in China can cause more suffering and damage than any other natural hazard. Droughts can be worsened by human activity on a local or regional scale. Water shortages are particularly intense in the North China Plain where 1/2 of wheat and 1/3 of corn are grown. 30% of China's urban water is now recycled. A new national effort to remove pollutants from wastewater discharged by industry and farming.

environmental concerns

East Asia has a number of environmental concerns. Land cover (pre-industrial) and human impact (2002). East Asians had already changed land cover extensively by 1000 years ago (a) and by 2002 (b), human impact had significantly intensified. Nearly every location was affected in one way or another, and in some places the impact was extreme.

Population Patterns

East Asia is the most populous world region. Families there are having fewer children than in the past. -East Asia growth rate is 0.4% Most couples in China are limited to one child.

financial hub

Hong Kong has remained the financial hub for China's booming SE coast

Taiwan's Uncertain Status

In 1895, Japan annexed Taiwan and exploited its resources. Taiwan has since become a modern, densely populated, and highly industrialized society. China never relinquished claim to Taiwan and still considers it a province of China. Today, Taiwan is a geopolitical hot spot. -The UN does not recognize it as a country because of China's opposition, yet Taiwan operates as independent country in nearly every way.

the Cultural Revolution

In 1966, the Cultural Revolution enforced support for the Communist government and punished dissenters.

economy

In 2009 became the third largest in the world, behind that of the European Union and the United States.

Political issues

In China, the central government generally acts as a force against widespread democratic participation.

birth rates and aging population

Throughout East Asia, birth rates are declining and populations are aging. As a result, some economies may suffer if they don't either import labor or increase mechanization. The one-child-per-family in China has reduced population growth, but this has been done before true economic prosperity has been achieved. As more women throughout East Asia pursue careers instead of family life, birth rates will continue to fall, bringing further social and economic changes. As of the past few months, the one child policy will no longer be enforced. The aging population will soon require more social spending, putting further strains on the working-age population. Families there are having fewer children than in the past. -East Asia growth rate is 0.4% Most couples in China are limited to one child.

Urban Labor Surpluses and Shortages

To attract workers, some factory owners in China offered higher pay, better working conditions, increased time off, and shorter work days. The extra costs meant that China was no longer the cheapest place to manufacture products. -Some factories moved to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Africa with even cheaper labor. The global recession in 2008 caused the demand for China's products to drop and factories laid off workers or shut down. The outlook for most Chinese workers remains good.

Plateau of Tibet

To the north of the Himalayas is the Plateau of Tibet which is a result of pressure absorbed by the Himalayas. Many of the rivers of China and the Southeast Asian mainland have their headwaters along the eastern rim of this plateau

Economic Challenges

•The aging population will soon require more social spending, putting further strains on the working-age population. •There is growing competition with China and other industrializing countries of Southeast Asia. •The U.S. has been pushing Japan to remove its barriers against foreign imports. •Since 1950, Japan has consistently blocked many incoming trade goods.