The Climate of Japan
Japan experiences changing seasons, much the same as we do here in the United States. However, the average temperature and climate in Japan changes greatly from north to south. The chain of islands that make up the country of Japan stretch 1800 miles, from the north to the south. This is similar to the distance between northern New York State, and the southern tip of Florida.
Imagine that it is March. You could go skiing in New York State, while at the same time, your friend could be sunbathing in Florida. The same variation in temperature occurs in Japan. One person could be skiing in Hokkaido, while another person could be sunbathing in Okinawa, during the month of March.
Hokkaido is the big northern island of Japan, where the average temperature during the coldest part of the year is only 21 degrees Fahrenheit. In Okinawa, one of the islands furthest south, summers are very hot and humid.
Typhoons
The islands that make up Japan are prone to a number of serious natural disasters, such as typhoons. A typhoon is a strong storm that occurs in the Pacific Ocean, similar to a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. Typhoons bring large amounts of rain, strong winds, and flooding to the islands of Japan.
The Natural Resources of Japan
Rice Paddies
Japan has very few natural resources. Therefore, the Japanese need to import, or bring in, raw materials in order to produce the goods they need to support their communities. For example, oil is brought in from the Middle East to use for heating, and to make gasoline.
Rice is the main crop produced by farmers in Japan. However, there is not enough farmland in Japan to grow enough wheat or other important crops to feed all of the people, so the Japanese must import food products as well. Japan does have a very large fishing industry. Fish make up a very important part of the Japanese diet.
The people of Japan enjoy the beauty of their island country. They would agree that it is a wonderful place to explore.