The culture of Japan’s Yayoi people, whose comparatively large settlements are centered in southwestern and central Japan, displays a marked change in orientation from the Jomon culture it succeed circa 300 BCE.

Wet-rice cultivation and bronze technology are apparently introduced from Korea by way of Kyushu.

Yayoi ceramics , in contrast to the robust Jomon wares, are made with finer clay, are turned on a wheel, are generally more utilitarian in character, and feature more casual, occasionally elegant, decoration.