An archipelago dominated by high relief.
Japan buys raw materials and sells finished products the world over.
It is remote from most of the locations with which it has close economic contact. Japan is an example of a world of modernization in a non-western society. Japan was the non-western world s only major colonial power. During the colonial era, it strongly influenced the development of the western Pacific. Although recent interaction has been limited, Japan lies poised for a major role in the development of East Asia including eastern Siberia as well as China.