Japan consists of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Each is composed of volcanic highlands in the interior surrounded by coastal lowlands that widen in some areas to form plains. Of volcanic origin, the islands are subject to violent eruptions. Even worse are the constant earthquakes, some of which can be devastating and produce horrific tsunamis. Two-thirds of the land is forested, ranging from the broad-leaved evergreen forests to deciduous oak, beech, maple, and birch trees. Japan has one of the most prosperous industrial economies in the world, grounded firmly in the manufacture of automobiles and electronics as Japanese technology becomes increasingly more competitive in the world market. Its capital, Tokyo, is one of the most populous cities in the world, an i