Today, people, goods, money, and information move across national borders throughout the world. This is called globalization, and it is deeply connected to our daily lives.
Basic Knowledge
Globalization advanced rapidly because of the development of transportation and communication technology. Supermarkets display food products from foreign countries, and many clothing products are manufactured overseas. At the same time, Japanese companies establish factories abroad and employ foreign workers.
As the international division of labor progresses, each country specializes in industries in which it is strong, and economic ties grow stronger through trade. At the same time, infectious diseases, economic crises, and environmental problems also spread worldwide, making international cooperation essential.
Globalization (the movement of people・goods・money・information across national borders)
International division of labor (a system in which each country produces and exchanges goods and services in which it is strong)
Food self-sufficiency rate (the proportion of domestic consumption supplied by domestic production. Japan is approximately 38%)
Multicultural coexistence (a society in which people with different cultures recognize one another and live together)
International cooperation (countries working together on worldwide issues such as the environment・poverty・infectious diseases)
Further Study (Background・Significance)
While globalization brings greater prosperity and more choices, it also creates challenges, such as domestic industries suffering from intensified international competition and cultural standardization. For example, as inexpensive imported goods increase, domestic farmers and small and medium-sized businesses face greater difficulties. Infectious diseases can also spread rapidly through airline networks.
To address these challenges, people are expected to develop awareness as global citizens who make use of their country's strengths, respect diversity, and act from a global perspective.
- Globalization = people・goods・money・information crossing national borders
- Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is approximately 38% on a calorie basis (low)
- Trade expands through the international division of labor
- Multicultural coexistence = recognizing differences and living together
- International cooperation is essential for infectious diseases・environmental problems
- Awareness as a global citizen is important
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Globalization means worldwide connections, while internationalization means relationships between countries. ② Food self-sufficiency rates differ between the calorie basis (38%) and the production-value basis (approximately 63%). ③ Multicultural coexistence means respecting differences and living together, not assimilation. ④ Globalization creates disadvantages such as inequality and cultural friction as well as economic benefits.
Practice
- Explain what globalization is in approximately 30 characters.
- Approximately what percentage is Japan's food self-sufficiency rate on a calorie basis?
- State one important attitude in a multicultural coexistence society.