During the summer, the monsoon winds blow from the warm and humid Pacific Ocean towards the Asian continent. These winds bring abundant moisture and rainfall to Japan and Korea, leading to hot and humid conditions. The Japan Sea, which separates Japan from the Asian continent, also plays a role in moderating the summer temperatures in Japan. The cool ocean currents flowing from the north help to lower the temperatures along the coastal regions of Japan.
In winter, the monsoon winds reverse their direction and blow from the cold and dry Siberian continent towards the Pacific Ocean. This results in cold and dry conditions in Japan and Korea. However, the presence of the warm Kuroshio Current, a branch of the North Pacific Ocean current, along the Pacific coast of Japan helps to moderate the winter temperatures. The warm ocean currents keep the coastal areas of Japan relatively warmer compared to other regions at similar latitudes.
Overall, the East Asian Monsoon climate, influenced by the monsoon winds and ocean currents, results in somewhat cooler summers and warmer winters in Japan and Korea compared to other regions at similar latitudes.