Japan's environment is heavily impacted by various natural disasters: earthquakes, tsunamis, intense heat and heavy rain. The small amount of land suitable for living has many cities building taller business and residential structures to accommodate everyone's needs. This growth of larger cities has also caused living costs to increase despite apartment sizes decreasing. Japan’s belief system also plays a part in how they see the world and react to different events. For example, there is local folklore surrounding the deep-sea oarfish. Apparently, if you see one, there will soon be an earthquake! So far this year, there have been multiple sightings around Japan. This is leading many to believe there will soon to be a large earthquake.
Japan is on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the border of the Pacific Ocean that has more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. Japan is 73% forested and mountainous, leaving only 27% of the land suitable for industrial, agricultural and residential life. This causes cities to have high densities and to be built straight up in tall buildings. While not suitable for living, many mountains house shrines and temples. These shrines and temples commonly represent Buddhism, Shintoism or a combination of the two religions.
