National Atlas of Japan
The National Atlas of Japan
Japan · Unknown · 1977
Related Reviews & Articles
Cartographical Survey: The National Atlas of Japan
Sargent, John; Geographical Survey Institute, Ministry of Construction · 1978
This paper provides a critical review of two significant cartographic publications. The main focus is the English-language edition of *The National Atlas of Japan*, a collaborative effort between government officials, academics, and cartographers. The review assesses the atlas’s overall production quality, describing its binding, colour representation, and printing as meeting the highest international standards. The atlas contains 216 maps, predominantly thematic, across A1 and A2 formats, accompanied by detailed explanatory notes that collectively summarize Japan’s physical, social, and economic geography. Key thematic emphases are analysed, notably the strong coverage of economic activities, physical environment, and social conditions, with particular attention given to maps addressing environmental problems, a reflection of contemporary Japanese concerns. The review evaluates cartographic techniques, including colour shading, proportional symbols, dot maps, and proportional lines, finding them generally effective but noting that the narrow geography of the Japanese archipelago occasionally leads to visual clutter, as seen in the coastal shipping map. While the atlas succeeds admirably as a comprehensive reference work for planners, two limitations are identified: most maps depict static distributions, lacking temporal change, and some information is obscured by the deep centre fold in larger double-page maps. The paper also briefly introduces the *Irrigation Atlas of India*, noting its introductory maps on meteorology, soils, land use, crops, population, and groundwater, followed by detailed maps of irrigation command areas. Overall, the review commends the Japanese atlas as an indispensable, high-standard reference for students of modern Japan, while offering a preliminary glance at the Indian atlas’s scope.
Rezensionen: The national atlas of Japan
Albrecht, W. · 1982
This paper delivers a thorough critical assessment of the first National Atlas of Japan (1977, English edition), supplemented by concise reviews of two other notable geographical publications. The National Atlas of Japan is presented as a national undertaking designed for practical application in economic and informational spheres, serving as both a knowledge repository for foreign specialists and a cartographic benchmark. The reviewer examines the atlas’s conceptual basis, thematic structure, and cartographic methods, including the government‑specified kunrei‑siki transcription system, which alters familiar Hepburn romanizations and complicates identification. The thematic content—ranging from physical geography and climate to population, industry, infrastructure, and culture—is generally well selected and cartographically sound. However, practical shortcomings are noted: the exclusive use of prefectural administrative units limits analytical depth for economic practice; temporal inconsistencies in data across thematic sections restrict comparability; and certain thematic areas, such as commuter flows and industrial location by production value, are absent. Positive highlights include the treatment of natural disasters, recreation facilities, and the extensive small‑scale cartograms and diagrams that supplement the main maps. Despite space‑wasting text pages and occasional gaps in basic data, the atlas is deemed a successful, content‑rich work that surpasses earlier Japanese atlases and significantly enriches the geographical information base. The paper also briefly reviews a geobotanical mapping volume detailing a vegetation classification of the European USSR and Transcaucasia, and an international maps and atlases bibliography cataloguing 15,000 contemporary titles, noting issues with missing publication years and the work’s practical reference value.
A Review of the Population Map Series in *The National Atlas of Japan*
Unknown · 1983
This paper provides a systematic introduction and evaluation of the population map series in the *National Atlas of Japan*, aiming to serve as a reference for thematic cartography and population mapping. Through descriptive analysis, the study examines the series’ composition, thematic content, and cartographic techniques. The population series comprises 25 main maps, 9 inset maps, 114 statistical charts, and accompanying texts, covering population distribution, composition (age, gender, household, occupation), and dynamics (natural change and social migration). Key findings highlight several merits: the content is rich, spanning 15 themes; classification is highly detailed, with choropleth maps employing up to nine classes and multiple statistical units from city to village level; diverse representation methods are skillfully integrated, notably the innovative use of triangular graphs combined with qualitative area symbolism to reveal structural trends; statistical graphics, especially population pyramids, substantially enhance expressiveness and facilitate historical comparison; place names are printed on transparent overlays to reduce map clutter while maintaining legibility; and printing quality is excellent. A notable shortcoming is the absence of maps depicting ethnic composition. The analysis concludes that the Japanese population map series exemplifies sophisticated atlas design, offering valuable insights for producing comprehensive population atlases, though inclusion of ethnic composition would further strengthen its completeness.
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