Discover Japan with JESDC
Japan, a country of islands, extends along the Eastern and Pacific coast of Asia. The main islands, running from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan is the 10th most densely populated country in the world. About 70% to 80% of the country is forested, mountainous, and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use, due to the generally steep elevations, climate, and risk of landslides caused by earthquakes, soft ground, and heavy rain.
This has resulted in an extremely high population density in the habitable zones that are mainly located in coastal areas. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, at the juncture of three tectonic plates, gives Japan frequent low-intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity. Destructive earthquake often resulting in tsunamis, occur several times each century. The most recent major quakes included the 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, Tsunami in 2011. Hot springs are numerous, and have been developed as resorts.