Japan
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Name: Japan History: The Japanese name of Japan is Nippon or Nihon which means the source of the sun and the people are called Jomon this is based on their colourful pottery. It has been ruled by the emperors, who were considered divine and descendants of gods ever since 660 BC. From 1192 - 1867, it was under the rule of the Shoguns (military governers). In 1905 Japan occupied Korea and in 1931 Manchuria. Japan had always been a very powerful country with imperialistic interests, in eastern Asia, but it was defeated in the second wold war and after that it started its democratic system of government. Location: Japan consists of 4 large islands and thousands (about 3000) of small islands off the eastern coast of Asia, in North Pacific Ocean between Sea of Okhotsk in North to East China Sea in the South. Coastline: 29,751 km Border Countries: East of China, South Korea and Russia Terrain: Whole of Japan is mostly rugged and montains out of which Mt Fuji is the tallest (3,776 m). Four major islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Land is very unstable with 150 major volcanoes of which 40 are still active. Earthquakes also occur very often, around 150 every year. 70% of Japan is covered with mountains and forests with lakes and rivers causing floods. Climate: It is mostly temperate but varies from North to South that is tropical in South and temperate in North. Summers are hot and humid in the South, Winters cold in the North and mild in the South. Rainfall is heavy except in Hokkaido which receives less than 40 inches a year. Japan is home for heavy forests due to which it is rich in flora, fauna and wild life. Area: 377,835 sq km Capital: Tokyo Population: 127,463,611 (2006 est), 80% people live in Honshu. Population Grouth Rate: 0.02% (2006 est) Currency: Yen (JPY) Time Zone: JST - UTC +9 Internet TLD: .jp Calling Code: +81 Ethnic Group: Japanese 99% and 1% Korean, Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino and others. Religion: 84% of people follow Shintoism and Buddhism together, other religions are Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. Constitution: On May 3 1947, It has both Emperor and Elective Parliament. It says that Nations "Highest organ of State power" is the bicameral parliament the" National Diet" Executive Power: Emperor is the head of Imperial family and head of the state. He is the cerimonial figurehead, the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people. Prime Minister is the head of the government. Legislative Branch: It consists of the bicameral Diet which has House of Councellors and House of Representatives. Prime Minister along with other elected members of the Diet run the government. Judiciary Branch: It is modeled after the Europian civil law system and is divided into 4 basic tiers. Highest court is the Suprime Court whose Judges are appointed by the cabinet, there are 9 high courts, 1 district court and 438 summery courts. Language: Japanese is the official language 99% of the population speaks Japanese, English as a link language is taught in the schools. National Flag: It is called Nisshoki in Japanese and is a white flag with red disk in the center which represents the rising sun. Imperial Seal: It is Kikka Monsyo or Kiku No Gomon in Japanese meaning Noble Symbol of yellow or orange Chrysanthemum with black or red outlines. It is used by the members of the royal family. National Anthem: Kimi Ga Yo which means Imperial Reign National Holiday: 23 December 1933 (birthday of Emperor Akihito) Life Expectancy: Of total population - 81.25 years, male - 77.96 yaers and female - 84.7 years (according to 2006 est). Literacy: For children from 6 to 15 years schooling is free and compulsary. Economy: Japan is one of the world's richest country with its free economy and is largest economy in Asia. Japan has flourishing industries, manufacturing almost every thing from radios and motorcars to ships. It has the world's largest fishing fleet which has fishery as second in the world after China. Japan is leading also in scientific research and making head way in aerospace research and space exploration. About 12% of the workforce is in agriculture still it leads in production of rice, tea, eggs, tobacco and raw silk. No one is below poverty line in Japan. Tokyo is Japan's largest city and about half of the country's export import business are handled by companies here. Agricultural Products: Rice is its major crop and its prices are set by the government. Other products are vegetables, sugar beats, fruits, pork, dairy products, poultry, eggs and fish. Main Exports: Electronic goods, machines, vehicles, ships, chemicals, steel and textiles. |