The purpose of this study is limited to discuss the terminologies of the landforms (following the examples of plateaus, highlands, uplands, plains and basins), for the compulsory education in Japan, from a viewpoint on both domestic and foreign terminologies in relation to demonstrate tentative ones, proposed by the writer, of the landforms.
According to his opinion, the schoolchildren in a primary school and the pupils in a junior high school, in Japan, have to learn of the proper geographical terms which will be able to receive an international understanding, since there is no doubt that most of them will be working for an international viewpoint in the 21st century. This is why the present study carry out.
In order to make sure of the actual usage for the above mentioned five types of the landforms, an atlas for social study in the primary school course and that for the study in the junior high school one have respectively been examined. The usage of the landforms in the atlases have been discussed in view of the terminological descriptions of the domestic and foreign geomorphologists.
The main subjects of this study are summerized as follows;
1). The plateau (Kohgen in Japnese; e.g. Kibi Plateau, Mino-Mikawa Plateau and so on) is not an adequate expression but the mountain is a desirable one, judging from the facts the plateaus, in Japan, represent the feature of inclined and dissected erosion surfaces which gradually desend to neighbouring lower lands. These features differ entirely from those in the foreign countries.
2). The highland (Kohchi in Japanese; e.g. Abukuma Highlands, Kitakami Highlands and so on) is not a proper expression but mountain is desirable one also, judging from the facts these highlands are not always situated on the most highest regions in Japan. In other regions, Japan, there are some of the mountains being similar to so-called plateaus. And the plateaus, moreover, stand by the lower altitude than those in the foreign countries.
3). Speaking of the upland (Daichi in Japanese), it is more reasonable to give a place name or a technical term (e.g. “Nasunogahara”, “Makinohara Dissected Fan” and so on) for those. As the synonym of the upland, the Diluvial upland has customarily been used in Japan, but it differs entirely from the remarkable features (the altitudes, relieves and geologic structures) of the uplands in the foreign countries.
4). In general, the plain (Heiya in Japanese) has reasonably been used. However, in the case of the plain where includes the uplands in its extent, the usage is unusual compared with that in the foreign countries. In this case we may use a technical term instead of the plain. For example, we may use “Kantoh Basin” in place of “Kantoh Plain”. If we use the name of “Kantoh Plain”, we have to name “Musashino or Nasunogahara” (the place name) instead of “Musashino Upland or Nasunogahara Upland”.
5). Speaking of the usage of the basin, there is no unreasonable one.
