Physical Features

Japan's islands are the exposed parts of mountain chains that rise abruptly from the ocean floor. Some rise from extreme depths—to the east, the Japan Trench plunges to nearly 28,000 feet (8,500 m) below sea level, the Kuril Trench to more than 32,000 feet (10,000m).

About four-fifths of Japan is either hilly or mountainous. Several hundred peaks rise more than 6,500 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. In central Honshu, especially in what are sometimes called the Japanese Alps, numerous peaks crest between 8,000 and 10,500 feet (2,400 and 3,200 m). Fujiyama, a 12,389-foot (3,776-m) volcanic cone southwest of Tokyo, is the country's highest mountain.

Plains and relatively flat areas account for about a fifth of Japan's total area and occur mainly along the coast. Except for the Kanto Plain, on which Tokyo is situated, all are comparatively small. They are, however, of great significance as centers of farming, manufacturing, and population.

Japan lies in a volcanic, earthquake-prone belt called the Ring of Fire, which fringes most of the Pacific basin. About 50 of Japan's 192 volcanoes are classed as active although few erupt. Earthquakes are frequent; most, however, are only minor tremors that do little or no damage. A notable exception was the earthquake of 1923 that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, killing 100,000 people.

The rivers of Japan are generally short and swift. The longest is the Shinano, some 230 miles (370 km) in length. Many of the rivers are used for hydroelectric power and to irrigate lowland rice fields. Navigation is of no importance except in the mouths of some of the rivers. Floods, especially those caused by torrential typhoon rains, sometimes cause widespread damage and many deaths.

Virtually all the lakes of Japan are small. The largest is Biwa Lake, covering some 265 square miles (686 km 2)on Honshu. Hot springs, associated with underground volcanic activity, are numerous.

Japan has some 16,000 miles (26,000 km) of coastline. Much of the coast is rocky and deeply indented by bays and inlets. The Inland Sea, between Honshu, Shikoku. and Kyushu, is a scenic and generally placid arm of the Pacific, dotted by hundreds of islands.

The four main islands of Japan span the same latitude as that between south-ern Georgia and central Maine. The climate, therefore, varies from subtropical in the south to continental in the north. It is often classed as monsoonal because of the cold northwest winds from the Asian mainland in winter and the warm, moist southeast winds from the Pacific in summer. The warm, northward-flowing Kuroshio (Black Current, or Japan Current) washes the south and east coasts as far north as northern Honshu. During winter the current has a particularly tempering and mild effect along the south coast. Northern Honshu and Hokkaido are more influenced by the cold, southward-moving Oyashio (Okhotsk Current). In summer it often brings fog, mist, and cool weather.

Summers are generally hot and sultry except in the north; winters are cold except in the extreme south. Average temperatures for August, the warmest month, vary from about 80°F. (27°C.) in the south to about 68°F. (20°C.) in the north. Averages for January, the coldest month, range between 45° and 20°F. (7°and-7°C).

Mid-June to mid-July is the season of the gentle bai-u, or plum rains. Torrential rains, caused by typhoons, often occur in late summer. The annual precipitation, varying with locality, generally ranges from 40 to 100 inches (1,000 to 2,540 mm). Snow is particularly abundant along the northwest coast, which lies in the path of winter monsoon winds coming across the Sea of Japan.

Forests cover nearly 70 per cent of Japan. In general, coniferous forests predominate in the higher mountainous areas and in the far north. Fir, spruce, pine, and cedar are among the chief types of trees. Elsewhere in northern Japan and throughout the central part of the country broad-leaved deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, poplar, beech, ash, and elm, prevail. In many areas conifers are mixed among the stands. Most prevalent in the south are subtropical species, mainly broad-leaved evergreens such as camphor and laurel. There are also thickets of bamboo and many kinds of deciduous and coniferous trees. Some tropical plants, including palm trees and bananas, are found in the far south of Kyushu.

Japan has many flowering trees. Especially famous are the flowering cherry trees; the blossom is a national symbol.

The great variety of natural environments in Japan support many kinds of animals. Some 140 species of mammals are known, including bears, wild boars, antelope, deer, badgers, foxes, otters, hares, and squirrels. The Japanese macaque, a short-tailed monkey, is native only to Japan. Mammals living in coastal waters include walruses, whales, and seals.

About 450 species of birds are known on the islands. Water birds and songbirds each account for about a third of the species. There are about 30 kinds of snakes, including two poisonous species on the main islands and four on Okinawa.