9781422283547

Exploring This Book This book is divided into six chapters. This chapter is an introduction to early settlers on the Japanese islands. The next chapter discusses the influence of the Chinese on the Japanese lifestyle. Chapter three looks at the rule of the shoguns, while chapter four deals with the arrival of Europeans and the unification of Japan. Chapter five reveals the developing relationship between Japan and the west, and the final chapter looks at Japan today.

J apan was never successfully invaded until the American Occupation after 1945. America is now Japan’s closest ally and there are still US forces with bases in Japan. Russia occupies some of the Kuril Islands which Japan claims as its Northern Territories. P ACIFIC OCEAN M ount Fuji is one of Japan’s national symbols and its highest mountain (12,388 feet/ 3,776 m ) . It is an active volcano which has erupted 18 times in recorded history. The last time was in 1707. On a clear day it can be seen from a distance of 90-plus miles (150 km).

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