<P> Most regions of Japan, such as much of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, belong to the temperate zone with humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by four distinct seasons . However, its climate varies from cool humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) in the north such as northern Hokkaido, to warm tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) in the south such as Ishigaki in the Yaeyama Islands . </P> <P> The two primary factors influences in Japan's climate are a location near the Asian continent and the existence of major oceanic currents . Two major ocean currents affect Japan: the warm Kuroshio Current (Black Current; also known as the Japan Current); and the cold Oyashio Current (Parent Current; also known as the Okhotsk Current). The Kuroshio Current flows northward on the Pacific side of Japan and warms areas as north as the South Kantō region; a small branch, the Tsushima Current, flows up the Sea of Japan side . The Oyashio Current, which abounds in plankton beneficial to coldwater fish, flows southward along the northern Pacific, cooling adjacent coastal areas . The intersection of these currents at 36 north latitude is a bountiful fishing ground . </P> <P> Japan's varied geographical features divide it into six principal climatic zones . </P> <Ul> <Li> Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaidō): Belonging to the humid continental climate, Hokkaido has long, cold winters and cool summers . Precipitation is not great . </Li> <Li> Sea of Japan (日本 海, Nihonkai): The northwest seasonal wind in winter gives heavy snowfall, which south of Tohoku mostly melts before the beginning of spring . In summer it is a little less rainy than the Pacific area but sometimes experiences extreme high temperatures due to the foehn wind phenomenon . </Li> <Li> Central Highland (中央 高地, Chūō - kōchi): A typical inland climate gives large temperature variations between summers and winters and between days and nights . Precipitation is lower than on the coast due to rain shadow effects . </Li> <Li> Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内 海, Setonaikai): The mountains in the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions block the seasonal winds and bring mild climate and many fine days throughout the year . </Li> <Li> Pacific Ocean (太平洋, Taiheiyō): The climate varies greatly between the north and the south but generally winters are significantly milder and sunnier than those of the side that faces the Sea of Japan . Summers are hot due to the southeast seasonal wind . Precipitation is very heavy in the south, and heavy in the summer in the north . The climate of the Ogasawara Island chain in the Pacific Ocean ranges from a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) to tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with temperatures being warm to hot all year round . </Li> <Li> Ryukyu Islands (南西 諸島, Nansei - shotō): The climate of these islands ranges from humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) in the north to tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) in the south with warm winters and hot summers . Precipitation is very high, and is especially affected by the rainy season and typhoons . </Li> </Ul>

What are some of japans and the koreas important natural resources