Question

Which of the following factors explains Japan's relative isolation?

a. It is surrounded by huge mountains
b. It is a series of islands
c. Japan is far from the center of civilization
d. All of the above factors

Answer 1

b. It is a series of islands

Step-by-step explanation:

The fact that Japan consists of a series of islands is the main factor why the country has remained in relative isolation. Although Japan had some early contact with the cultures of China and Korea, this contact was very limited, and for much of its history, Japan remained quite isolated. When the West wanted to establish trade with the nation, Japan was originally quite reluctant. However, Japan was eventually forced to open its borders and engage in international trade during the 19th century.

Answer 2

B. It is a series of islands. Japan is an island nation located northeastern Asia just off the coast of the Korean peninsula. It is a highly mountainous region, with around 80% of the Japanese landscape being made up of mountain terrain, creating small areas of settlement which result in them being densely populated. Geographically speaking, being an island nation creates a strong sense of isolation from that of the continental mainland. One example includes Great Britain, whose island location being off the coast of northwestern Europe allowed it culturally and politically develop on its own during certain periods of time. The same is true with Japan, which has historically been one of the homogeneous cultures in the world due to its location off the mainland. Eastern Asia has been relatively isolated from the western world due to mountain ranges, large bodies of water, and large deserts that have separated the region from the western world. China has the same tendency of being isolated due to these geographic features, but being an archipelago such as Japan creates an even more profound cultural, social, and political sense of isolation.