2. As you have learned, Japan first developed in isolation because it is surrounded by water. Do you think oceans and seas are significant barriers to the movement of people, goods, and ideas today? Explain your answer.

Absolutely! While oceans and seas once acted as formidable barriers to movement, today they serve as avenues for connection. Advances in technology, such as ships and airplanes, have transformed how we traverse these vast bodies of water, making international trade and cultural exchange more accessible than ever. Think of shipping containers that have revolutionized global commerce, or how we can now easily collaborate with someone from the other side of the world! Moreover, the challenges posed by oceans are now viewed through the lens of opportunity, as they also offer rich resources and tourism potential. Countries are investing in innovations like underwater cables to enhance communication, harnessing tides for energy, and turning coastal regions into thriving economic hubs. The seas may have once separated us, but today they unite us in a world where distance is less of a barrier and more of a bridge!