Japan at night, satellite image. North is at top. The illuminations mark heavily populated areas with a high intensity of light emissions. Japan has a high-density urban population, as does South Korea (centre left). This contrasts markedly with North Korea (above South Korea), which has power shortages and frequent blackouts. Taiwan is at bottom left. Cities in mainland China are at far left and upper left. This is a composite of images taken as part of the Defense Satellite Meteorological Program (DMSP) and published in 2001.