CULTURE OF JAPAN & KOREAS

People• Japan– 99% are ethnic Japanese– Minority are• Koreans• Chinese• Ainu

• Korea– Ethnic Koreans– Minority are Chinese

Language • Japan = Japanese– Characters are a combination of Chinese characters

and Japanese symbols

• Korea = Korean– Half of words come from Chinese

Religion• Japan– Buddhism is primary religion

• Korea– Blend of Buddhism and

Confucianism– Christianity is a growing religion

in South Korea– North Korea does allow for

freedom of religion

Land Use

• Japan is the size of California – Four times as many people in Japan as in CA– 867 people per square mile

Food• Japan– Rice is a staple– Sushi: vinegared rice with vegetables and/or fish– Sashimi: Thin slices of raw fish– Noodles and tofu are also common– Tea is most commonly drank

• Korea– Rice is also a staple– Grilled meats and vegetables are common– Kimchi is a common dish• Mixture of cabbage and spices

Education• Japan– Superior educational system– Highest literacy rate in the world– Intense competition to get into

universities

• South Korea– Educational system is similar to

Japan’s

• North Korea– Communist ideology is primary focus– Higher education is limited

Traditions/Customs

• Japan– Strong family ties and respect

for elders– Kimono is commonly worn for

special occasions– Removing shoes before

entering a home is expected– Poetry and art are respected

and popular– Anime is widely popular– High fashion is trendy,

especially in Tokyo