Japan, Sea of

Sea separating Japan from the mainland of Asia, connected to the Pacific Ocean by shallow straits; area 1,007,765 sq km/389,100 sq mi; average depth 1,360 m/4,460 ft. It is almost tideless. Currents flow northwards from the Korea Strait, and there is floating ice in winter. North and South Korea, and Eastern Siberia lie on its western shores; Vladivostok is the chief port.

The sea bed in the northern part is quite flat; to the south, banks separate deep troughs reaching depths of 3,000 m/9,842 ft.