39 
JAPAN 
and rain to the west coast ; while in summer this region is partly cut off 
[rom the moderating influence of the monsoon by the mountains to the 
south-east. Communication 
with the mainland is hin- 
dered by the stormy nature 
of the Sea of Japan, and in 
winter is interrupted on ac- 
count of the dangerous surf 
along the coast. The only 
western port — Niigata — 
has, moreover, a bad bar at 
the mouth of _the harbour._ 
It is therefore through the 
peninsula of Korea farther 
south that Japan has been 
brought most closely in 
touch with the mainland, 
though even the Straits of 
Korea are over a hundred 
miles across. 
The mountains ‚of Cen- 
tral_Hondo_greatly hinder 
communication between the 
east and west coasts of the island, though a few railways have 
been carried across. They also narrowly restrict the areas available 
for cultivation, and render the rivers too rapid, and their channels 
too choked with the boulders and silt brought down, to be of much use 
for navigation. Floods are of constant occurrence, and at times work 
great destruction ; but some of the rivers are of value as sources of 
water-power. This power has greatly increased in importance since men 
have been able to convert it into electrical power, which can be easily 
conveyed and utilized as required. The chief value of the mountains lies 
in_the_ forests which clothe them, composed of cedars, pines, maples, 
bamboos, camphor and lacquer trees. "The last-mentioned yiclds the 
Jacquer used in the adornment of many Japanese wares; while the 
abundance of timber has led to the erection of paper-mills and match- 
factories. The match industry has naturally been encouraged by the 
local supplies of sulphur; and the occurrence of kaolin and of copper. 
Photnal