Heavy rains frequently lead to flooding. Deforestation, desertification, disease, and pollution are major concerns made worse by the large population. Economic successes make Japan one of the richest countries in the world. With help from the United States, South Korea and Taiwan have enjoyed rapid economic growth. Each of Japan s four major islands differ in natural environment, urbanization, and manufacturing.
Japan has the world s lowest infant mortality and the longest life expectancy.
The populations live mostly in cities. In Japan, there were many changes after World War II with agriculture becoming less important, manufacturing being rebuilt without an emphasis on military products, and profits being spent on consumer goods and invested in overseas projects. The South Korean economy was transformed from subsistence farming to industrial giant. South Korea s recent debt problems are not shared by Taiwan which has a large trade surplus. The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution were important periods.