Consider the following:1. Religious beliefs in Japan2. The indented co...
Fishing activity is well developed in Japan than in any other place in the world due to numerous factors:
- The scarcity of meat as there are few pastures for livestock rearing and religious reasons has popularised fish as a principal item of diet and chief protein food of the Japanese.
- The lack of lowlands and pastures means that only a few animals can be kept to supply meat and other protein food. Fish, in all its varied forms, fresh, canned, dried, frozen, and in the form of fish pastes, fish sauce and spiced condiments takes the place of meat as Japan's primary source of protein food. Hence option 1 is correct.
- The indented coastline of Japan provides sheltered fishing ports, calm waters and safe landing places, ideal for the fishing industry, In Hokkaido, where the Laurentian type of climate is too cold for active agriculture, fishing takes first place. Hakodate and Kushiro are large fishing ports, complete with refrigeration facilities. Hence options 2 and 3 are correct.
- The continental shelves around the islands of Japan are rich in plankton, due to the meeting of the warm Kuroshio and the cold Oyashio currents and provide excellent breeding grounds for all kinds of fish including herring, cod, mackerel, bonito, salmon, sardine and tuna, as well as crabs and lobsters. Hence option 4 is correct.
- There is a great demand for it locally, and for export to other east Asiatic neighbors that lack the techniques of large-scale commercial fishing.
Consider the following:1. Religious beliefs in Japan2. The indented co...
Religious beliefs in Japan:
- Shintoism and Buddhism, which are the main religions in Japan, promote respect for nature and water bodies. This cultural value has instilled a sense of responsibility towards sustainable fishing practices.
Indented coastline of Japan:
- Japan's indented coastline provides numerous bays, harbors, and estuaries that serve as ideal fishing grounds. The varied topography creates diverse habitats for fish species, contributing to the abundance of marine life.
Presence of a Laurentian type of climate:
- The Laurentian type of climate in Japan, characterized by cold winters and warm summers, supports a rich marine ecosystem. The seasonal changes in temperature play a significant role in the migration patterns of fish, making it favorable for fishing activities.
Meeting of warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents near the coast:
- The convergence of the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents near the coast of Japan creates nutrient-rich waters that support a wide variety of fish species. This phenomenon enhances the productivity of fishing grounds and attracts a diverse range of marine life.
Overall, all four factors - religious beliefs promoting respect for nature, indented coastline providing diverse fishing grounds, favorable climate conditions, and the meeting of warm and cold currents enriching marine ecosystems - have positively contributed to the development of fishing activity in Japan.
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