Difference between revisions of "Japan"

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Japan, officially 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'' or ''Nippon-koku'') is an [[island nation]] in [[East Asia]]. Located in the [[Pacific Ocean]], it lies to the east of [[People's Republic of China|China]], [[Korea]], and [[Russia]], stretching from the [[Sea of Okhotsk]] in the north to the [[East China Sea]] in the south. The [[kanji|kanji characters]] that make up [[Names of Japan|Japan's name]] mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun". Its [[capital]]<ref>See also [[Capital of Japan]]</ref> and largest city is [[Tokyo]].
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Group of islands off the eastern coast of [[Asia]]. The principal islands are, in the [[Roman alphabet]], [[Hokkaido]], [[Honshu]], [[Kyushu]] and [[Shikoku]].  Japan also controls many smaller islands, notably the [[Ryuku]] chain south of Kyushu, for a total land area slightly larger than California. The climate, however, has traditionally varied from north to south as much as that from [[Maine]] to [[Georgia]].
  
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Japan comprises over 3,000 islands, the largest of which are [[Honshū]], [[Hokkaidō]], [[Kyūshū]] and [[Shikoku]]. Most of the islands are [[mountain]]ous, many [[volcano|volcanic]], including Japan’s highest peak, [[Mount Fuji]]. Japan has the world's [[List of countries by population|tenth largest population]], with about 128&nbsp;million people. The [[Greater Tokyo Area]], which includes [[Tokyo]] and several surrounding [[Japanese prefectures|prefectures]], is the [[Largest Metropolitan Area|largest metropolitan area]] in the world, with over 30 million residents.
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Early signs of human life appeared in Japan around the year 3000 BC. The wild Japanese Bison was an early target of wild game, hunted to extinction within 500 years.
  
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[[Archaeology|Archaeological]] research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the [[Upper Paleolithic|upper paleolithic]] period. The first written mention of Japan begins with brief appearances in [[History of China|Chinese history]] texts from the 1st century CE. Influence from the outside world followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. Thus, its culture today is a mixture of outside influences and internal developments. Since adopting its [[Constitution of Japan|constitution]] in 1947, Japan has maintained a [[unitary state|unitary]] [[constitutional monarchy]] with an [[Emperor of Japan|emperor]] and an elected parliament, the [[Diet of Japan|Diet]].
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According to tradition, Japan was unified by [[Emperor]] [[Jimmu]], the grandson of the [[goddess]] [[Amaretsu]], in the year 660 B. C.  He conquered Honshu, the largest island, in a series of expeditions starting from his home base of [[Setsuma]] in Kyushu.
  
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A [[great power]],<ref>Organski, AFK & Kugler, J - The War Ledger, University of Chicago Press (1980); Kennedy, P - The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Random House (1987)</ref> Japan is the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|second largest economy]] by nominal [[GDP]] and is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[G8]] and [[APEC]].
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== Modern History ==
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Japan was closed off from the rest of the world for a long period of time under the rule of a series of military leaders known as [[Shoguns]] (see [[Tokugawa Shogunate]]), with the sole exception of [[Nagasaki]], where [[Dutch]] merchants maintained a permanent trading post.  While the Japanese Emperor continued to reign in the old capital of [[Kyoto]], he was more of a figurehead with little more power than he possesses today. The rule of the Shoguns came to an end in the middle of the 19th century during a brief but bloody period of conflict known as the [[Meiji Restoration]]. During the Restoration a large number of young [[samurai]] from minor families, most notably Sakamoto Ryoma, tired of the government's mishandling of the country and feeling that if action was not taken Japan would be dominated by western countries, initiated an armed revolt to restore imperial rule. Most samurai from the more powerful families sided with the Shogun, fearing that the minor families would replace them if the revolt was successful.  Nonetheless, the shogunate was done away with in 1867 and the imperial period began.  The capital was moved to [[Edo]], which was renamed [[Tokyo]]; by the early twenty-first century, it had become the center of the world's largest urban conglomeration.
  
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==History==
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The phrase "imperial period" is not meant to imply that the emperor ruled absolutely in the style of [[Louis XIV]] or a [[Russian]] [[tsar]]; indeed, the emperors relied on [[prime ministers]] throughout this period. Rather, it refers to Japan competing with [[European]] powers and the [[United States]] for colonies and influence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The high point of Japanese prestige was the [[Russo-Japanese War]] of 1904-5, in which Japan became the principal power in [[Manchuria]] and consolidated its control of [[Korea]].
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<!--Please try to keep this section as general as possible. Specific information should be added to a more specific article. This section stresses the most important facts, and leaves analysis of cause and effect to the daughter articles. -->
 
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{{main|History of Japan}}
 
  
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The first signs of [[civilization]] on the [[Japanese Archipelago]] appeared around [[10th millennium BC|10,000 BCE]] with the [[Jomon]] culture, characterized by a [[mesolithic]] to [[neolithic]] semi-sedentary [[hunter-gatherer]] lifestyle of pit dwelling and a rudimentary form of [[agriculture]]. The Jomon people made decorated clay vessels, however, often with plaited patterns. Some of the oldest surviving examples of [[pottery]] in the world may be found in Japan.<ref>Pottery in Japan:
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Japan's success at this great game would ultimately prove its undoing.  By 1936, during the reign of Emperor [[Hirohito]], the Japanese Empire went by the [[Orwellian]] title "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."  The increasingly powerful [[Japanese armed forces]], partly inspired by European [[fascists]], came to dominate Japanese politics, assassinating politicians whom they deemed insufficiently devoted to the Emperor and nation. For the next nine years, the military leadership installed its own members (such as [[Hideki Tojo]], chief Japanese strategist of [[World War II]]) or, occasionally, civilians who were completely identified with their agenda, as prime minister.
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*"The earliest known pottery comes from Japan, and is dated to about 10,500 BCE. China and Indo-China follow shortly afterwards" ("Past Worlds" ''The Times Atlas of Archeology'' (1995). p. 100).
 
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*"That end of the Ice Age was accompanied by the first of the two most decisive changes in Japanese history: the invention of pottery. In the usual experience of archaeologists, inventions flow from mainlands to islands, and small peripheral societies aren't supposed to contribute revolutionary advances to the rest of the world. It therefore astonished archaeologists to discover that the world's oldest known pottery was made in Japan 12,700 years ago." Diamond, Jared. [http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/lng/teaching/japanese/japanroo.htm Japanese Roots.] ''DISCOVER'' Vol. 19 No. 6 (June 1998)
 
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*"Japan, however, was the seat of the earliest known development of ceramics" (''The History and Geography of Human Genes'', p. 249, [[Cavalli-Sforza]] ISBN 0-691-08750-4.
 
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*Alternatively, the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]'s [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/splash.htm Timeline of Art History] notes "Carbon-14 testing of the earliest known shards has yielded a production date of about 10,500 BCE., but because this date falls outside the known chronology of pottery development elsewhere in the world, such an early date is not generally accepted". [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/02/eaj/ht02eaj.htm "Japan, 8000–2000 BCE."] In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. (October 2000)</ref>
 
  
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The [[Yayoi period]], starting around the third century BC, introduced new practices, such as wet-rice farming, [[iron]] and [[bronze]]-making and a new style of pottery, brought by migrants from [[China]] or [[Korea]]. With the development of Yayoi culture, a predominantly agricultural society emerged in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-23121 |title=The Yayoi period (c. 250 BC–c. AD 250) | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica | date = 2006 | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Diamond | first = Jared | url = http://www2.gol.com/users/hsmr/Content/East%20Asia/Japan/History/roots.html | title = "Japanese Roots", ''Discover Magazine'' Vol. 19 No. 6 (June 1998) |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568150_4/Pottery.html#p26 | title = Pottery | publisher = MSN Encarta | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = De Bary | first = William Theodore | title = Sources of Japanese Tradition | publisher = Columbia University Press | date = 2005 | pages = p. 1304 | isbn = 023112984X | url = http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN023112984X&id=6wS_ijD6DSgC&pg=RA1-PA1304&lpg=RA1-PA1304&ots=MxkZKlTRlU&dq=%22Chinese+mainland%22+%22Korean+peninsula%22+%22Japanese+archipelago%22&sig=hc4ew2p4cGdppzY6O_b0zWgaB6E#PRA1-PA1304,M1 | accessdate=2007-01-29}}</ref>
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[[Category:Countries]]
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The Japanese first appear in written history in China’s [[Book of Han]]. It is later recorded that in 57 BC, the southern Wa kingdom of Na sent an emissary named Taifu to pay tribute to [[Emperor Guangwu of Han|Emperor Guangwu]] and received a golden seal. According to China's [[Records of the Three Kingdoms]], the most powerful kingdom on the archipelago in the third century was called [[Yamataikoku]] and was ruled by the legendary Queen [[Himiko]].
 
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The [[Nara period]] of the eighth century marked the first emergence of a strong central Japanese state, centered around an imperial court in the city of [[Heijō Palace|Heijō-kyō]], or modern day [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], which was modeled after [[Chang'an]], the capital of the [[Tang China]]. In addition to the continuing adoption of Chinese administrative practices, the [[Nara period]] is characterized by the appearance of a nascent written literature with the completion of the massive chronicles ''[[Kojiki]]'' (The Record of Ancient Matters, 712) and ''[[Nihonshoki]]'' (Chronicles of Japan, 720), as well as a further strengthening of Buddhism's influence, culminating in the construction of the [[Daibutsu]] at [[Tōdaiji]] in 751.
 
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In 784, [[Emperor Kammu]] moved the capital to [[Nagaokakyō]] for a brief ten-year period, before relocating it to Heian-kyō (modern day [[Kyoto]]) in 794, where it remained for more than a millennium. This marked the beginning of the [[Heian period]], when a distinctly indigenous Japanese culture emerged, noted for its [[Japanese art|art]], [[Japanese poetry|poetry]], and [[Japanese literature|literature]]. During this time, [[Murasaki Shikibu|Lady Murasaki]]'s ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'' and the lyrics of modern Japan's national anthem, ''[[Kimi ga Yo]]'', were written.
 
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Japan's [[feudal]] era was characterized by the emergence of a ruling class of warriors, the [[samurai]]. In 1185, following the defeat of the rival [[Taira clan]], [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]] was appointed [[Shogun|Shōgun]] and established a base of power in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]. After Yoritomo's death, another warrior clan, the [[Hōjō clan|Hōjō]], came to rule as regents for the shoguns. [[Zen]] Buddhism was introduced from China in the [[Kamakura period]] (1185&ndash;1333) and became popular among the samurai class. The [[Kamakura shogunate]] managed to repel [[Mongol invasions of Japan|Mongol invasions]] in 1274 and 1281, with assistance from a storm that the Japanese interpreted as a [[Kamikaze (typhoon)|kamikaze]], or Divine Wind. The Kamakura shogunate was eventually overthrown by [[Emperor Go-Daigo]], who was soon himself defeated by [[Ashikaga Takauji]] in 1333. The succeeding [[Ashikaga shogunate]] failed to manage the feudal warlords (''[[daimyo]]''), and a civil war erupted (the [[Ōnin War]]).
 
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During the 16th century, traders and [[missionary|missionaries]] from [[Portugal]] reached Japan for the first time, initiating the ''[[Nanban trade period|Nanban]]'' ("southern barbarian") period of active commercial and cultural exchange between Japan and the West. [[Oda Nobunaga]] conquered numerous other daimyo by using European technology and [[firearms]] and had almost unified the nation when he was assassinated in 1582. [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] succeeded Nobunaga and united the nation in 1590. Hideyoshi [[Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea|invaded Korea twice]], but following several defeats by [[Korea]]n and [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] Chinese forces and Hideyoshi's death, Japanese troops were withdrawn in 1598.
 
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After Hideyoshi's death, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] utilized his position as the regent of Hideyoshi's son [[Toyotomi Hideyori]] to gain political and military support. When open war broke out, he defeated rival clans in the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600. Ieyasu was appointed [[shogun|shōgun]] in 1603 and established the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] at [[Edo]] (modern [[Tokyo]]). The [[Tokugawa shogunate]] enacted a variety of measures to control the [[daimyo]], among them the [[sankin-kotai|''sankin-kōtai'']] policy. In 1639, the shogunate began the isolationist ''[[sakoku]]'' ("closed country") policy that spanned the two and a half centuries of tenuous political unity known as the [[Edo period]]. The study of Western sciences, known as ''[[rangaku]]'', continued during this period through contacts with the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] enclave at [[Dejima]] in [[Nagasaki]]. The Edo period also gave rise to ''[[kokugaku]]'', or literally "national studies", the study of Japan by the Japanese themselves.<ref>{{cite web | last = Hooker | first = Richard |url = http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/KOKUGAKU.HTM |title=Japan Glossary; Kokugaku | date = [[1999-07-14]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>
 
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On [[March 31]], [[1854]], [[Matthew Calbraith Perry|Commodore Matthew Perry]] and the "[[Black Ships]]" of the [[United States Navy]] forced the opening of Japan to the outside world with the [[Convention of Kanagawa]]. The [[Boshin War]] of 1867&ndash;1868 led to the resignation of the shogunate, and the [[Meiji Restoration]] established a government centred around the emperor. Japan updated its political, judicial and military institutions by adapting Western examples. A [[parliamentary system]] modeled after the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British parliament]] was introduced, with [[Ito Hirobumi]] as the first Prime Minister in 1882. [[Meiji era]] reforms transformed the [[Empire of Japan]] into an [[industrialization|industrialized]] [[world power]] that embarked on a number of military conflicts to increase access to natural resources. After victories in the [[First Sino-Japanese War]] (1894&ndash;1895) and the [[Russo-Japanese War]] (1904&ndash;1905), Japan gained control of [[Korea]], [[Taiwan]] and the southern half of [[Sakhalin]].
 
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The early twentieth century saw a brief period of "[[Taisho democracy]]" overshadowed by the rise of [[Japanese expansionism]] and [[militarization]]. [[World War I]] enabled Japan, which joined the side of the victorious Allies, to expand its influence and territorial holdings. Japan continued its expansionist policy by occupying [[Manchuria]] in 1931. As a result of international condemnation for this occupation, Japan resigned from the [[League of Nations]] two years later. In 1936, Japan signed the [[Anti-Comintern Pact]] with [[Nazi Germany]], joining the [[Axis Powers]] in 1941.
 
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In 1937, Japan invaded other parts of China, precipitating the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] (1937-1945), after which the [[United States]] placed an oil embargo on Japan. On [[December 7]], [[1941]], Japan [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked the United States naval base]] in [[Pearl Harbor]] and declared war on the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Netherlands]]. This act brought the United States into [[World War II]]. After the [[atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing]]s of [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]] in 1945, Japan agreed to an [[unconditional surrender]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://library.educationworld.net/txt15/surrend1.html | title = Japanese Instrument of Surrender | publisher = educationworld.net | accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref> The [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]] was signed on  [[September 2]], [[1945]] ([[V-J Day]]). The war cost Japan millions of lives and left much of the country's industry and infrastructure destroyed. The [[International Military Tribunal for the Far East]], was subsequently convened (on [[May 3]][[1946]]) to prosecute Japanese leaders for [[Japanese war crimes|crimes against peace and humanity]].
 
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In 1947, Japan adopted a new [[pacifism|pacifist]] [[Constitution of Japan|constitution]] which sought international cooperation and emphasized human rights and democratic practices. Official [[Occupied Japan|American occupation]] lasted until 1952 and Japan was granted membership in the [[United Nations]] in 1956. Under a program of aggressive industrial development and with US assistance, Japan achieved [[Japanese post-war economic miracle|spectacular growth]] to become the second largest economy in the world, with a growth rate averaging 10% for four decades. This ended in the mid-1990s when Japan suffered [[Japanese asset price bubble|a major recession]] from which it has since been slowly recovering.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5178822.stm Japan scraps zero interest rates.] ''[[BBC News]]'' ([[2006-07-14]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref>
 
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==Government and politics==
 
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{{main|Politics of Japan}}
 
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Japan is a [[constitutional monarchy]] where the power of the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] (天皇 tennō, literally "heavenly sovereign") is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the [[Constitution of Japan|constitution]] as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the [[Prime Minister of Japan]] and other elected members of the [[Diet of Japan|Diet]], while sovereignty is vested in the [[Japanese people]].<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web|url=http://www.sangiin.go.jp/eng/law/index.htm|title=The Constitution of Japan|publisher=House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan|date=[[1946-11-03]]|accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref>  The emperor effectively acts as the [[head of state]] on diplomatic occasions. [[Akihito]] is the current Emperor of Japan.
 
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Japan's legislative organ is the [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]], a bicameral [[parliament]]. The Diet consists of a [[House of Representatives of Japan|House of Representatives]], containing 480 seats, elected by popular vote every 4 years or when dissolved, and a [[House of Councillors]] of 242 seats, whose popularly-elected members serve six-year terms. There is [[universal suffrage]] for adults over 20 years of age, with a [[secret ballot]] for all elective offices. The [[Liberal conservatism|liberal conservative]] [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) has been in power since 1955, except for a short-lived [[coalition government]] formed from opposition parties in 1993.  The largest opposition party is the [[social liberalism|social liberal]] [[Democratic Party of Japan]].
 
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The Prime Minister of Japan is the [[head of government]]. The literal translation of his Japanese title is "Prime Minister of the Cabinet".  The position is appointed by the [[Emperor of Japan]] after being designated by the [[Diet of Japan|Diet]] from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|House of Representatives]] to remain in office. The Prime Minister is the head of the [[Cabinet of Japan|Cabinet]] and appoints and dismisses the [[Ministers of State]], a majority of whom must be Diet members. [[Shinzo Abe]] currently serves as the Prime Minister of Japan.
 
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Historically influenced by [[Chinese law]], the [[Japanese law|Japanese legal system]] developed independently during the [[Edo period]] through texts such as ''[[Kujikata Osadamegaki]]''. However, since the late 19th century, the [[judicial system of Japan|judicial system]] has been largely based on the [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] of [[Europe]], notably [[France]] and [[Germany]]. For example, in 1896, the Japanese government established a [[civil code]] based on the French model. With post-World War II modifications, the code remains in effect in present-day Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043364?hook=6804 |title = "Japanese Civil Code" | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica | date = 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> Statutory law originates in Japan's legislature, the National Diet of Japan, with the rubber-stamp approval of the Emperor.  The current constitution requires that the Emperor promulgates legislation passed by the Diet, without specifically giving him the power to oppose the passing of the legislation.<ref name="Constitution" />  Japan's court system is divided into four basic tiers: 438 [[Summary Court of Japan|Summary Courts]], 50 [[District Court of Japan|District Courts]], 9 [[High Court of Japan|High Courts]], and the [[Supreme Court of Japan|Supreme Court]]. There is also one Family Court tied to each District Court. The main body of Japanese statutory law is a collection called the [[Six Codes]].
 
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==Foreign policy and military==
 
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{{main article|Foreign relations of Japan|Japan Self-Defense Forces|Ministry of Defense (Japan)}}
 
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Japan maintains close economic and military relations with its key ally the [[United States]], with the [[Japanese-American relations|US-Japan security alliance]] serving as the cornerstone of its [[foreign policy]]. A member state of the [[United Nations]] since 1956, Japan is currently serving as a non-permanent [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] member. It is also one of the "[[G4 nations]]" seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.
 
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As a member of the [[G8]], the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], the "[[ASEAN Plus Three]]", and a participant in the [[East Asia Summit]], Japan actively participates in international affairs. It is also the world's second-largest donor of [[official development assistance]], donating 0.19% of its [[Gross National Income|GNP]] in 2004.<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/40/3/35389786.pdf Table: Net Official Development Assistance In 2004 (PDF).]|32.9&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 33766 bytes -->}} Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ([[2005-04-11]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref> Japan contributed non-combatant troops to the [[Iraq War]], but has subsequently withdrawn forces from the region.
 
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Japan has several territorial disputes with its neighbors: with [[Russia]] over the [[Kuril Island conflict|Kuril Islands]], with [[South Korea]] over [[Dokdo]] (Takeshima), with [[People's Republic of China|China]] and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] over the [[Senkaku Islands]] (Diaoyutai Islands), and with China over the status of [[Okinotorishima]]. These disputes are in part about the control of marine and natural resources, such as possible reserves of [[crude oil]] and [[natural gas]].
 
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The country also has an ongoing dispute with [[North Korea]] over its [[North Korean abductions of Japanese|abduction of Japanese citizens]] and its [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons]] and missile programs
 
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Japan's military is restricted by [[Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan|Article 9]] of the [[Constitution of Japan]] of 1946, which states that "Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes." Thus, Japan's current constitution prohibits the use of military force to wage war against other countries.
 
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Japan's military is governed by the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Ministry of Defense]], formerly [[Japan Defense Agency]] and primarily consists of the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]] (JGSDF), the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] (JMSDF), and the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] (JASDF). The military budget of Japan is less than one percent of its [[GDP]],<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html CIA Factbook], retrieved [[2007-03-14]]]</ref> spending $44.3 billion per year, as of 2005.<ref>[http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publications/wp2006/pdf/2-2-4.pdf Japan's Defense Policy, 2006], retrieved [[2007-03-14]]]. 4790.6 billion yen converted at $1=108¥</ref>  The forces have been recently used in [[peacekeeping]] operations and the [[deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq]] marked the first overseas use of its military since [[World War II]].
 
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==Administrative divisions==
 
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{{main|Prefectures of Japan|Cities of Japan|Towns of Japan|Villages of Japan|List of Japanese cities by population}}
 
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Japan has forty-seven [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]]. Each has an elected governor and legislature, and an administrative bureaucracy. While there exist eight commonly defined [[regions of Japan]], the prefecture is the largest administrative subdivision. The [[Tokyo City|former city of Tokyo]] is further divided into [[Special wards of Tokyo|twenty-three special wards]], which have the same powers as cities.
 
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The nation is currently undergoing administrative [[Merger and dissolution of municipalities of Japan|reorganization by merging]] many of the cities, towns, and villages with each other. This process will reduce the number of sub-prefecture administrative regions, and is expected to cut administrative costs.<ref>{{cite web |last = Mabuchi | first = Masaru | url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/WBI/Resources/wbi37175.pdf | title = ''Municipal Amalgamation in Japan'' (PDF) | publisher = World Bank | date = May 2001 | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>
 
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Japan has dozens of [[List of Japanese cities by population|major cities]], which play an important role in Japan's culture, heritage and economy. Those in the list below of the ten most populous are all prefectural capitals and [[City designated by government ordinance (Japan)|Government Ordinance Cities]], except where indicated:
 
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{| class="wikitable"
 
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! No. !! City !! Prefecture !! Population<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Cities.html#Stadt_gross|title=Japan - City Population - Cities, Towns & Provinces - Statistics & Map|accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref>
 
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|  1  || '''[[Special wards of Tokyo|Tokyo]]'''<sup>a</sup>{{spaces|2}} || [[Tokyo]] || 8,535,792
 
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|  2  || '''[[Yokohama]]''' || [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]{{spaces|2}} || 3,602,758
 
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|  3  || '''[[Osaka]]'''    || [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]] || 2,635,420
 
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|  4  || '''[[Nagoya]]'''  || [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]] || 2,223,148
 
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|  5  || '''[[Sapporo]]'''  || [[Hokkaidō]]              || 1,888,953
 
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|  6  || '''[[Kobe]]'''     || [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]] || 1,528,687
 
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|  7  || '''[[Kyoto]]'''    || [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]] || 1,472,511
 
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|  8  || '''[[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]]''' || [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]] || 1,414,417
 
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|  9  || '''[[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki]]'''<sup>b</sup> || [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]] || 1,342,262
 
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| 10  || '''[[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]]''' || [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]|| 1,182,744
 
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{{small|<sup>a</sup> 23 municipalities. Also capital of Japan.<br/><sup>b</sup> Government Ordinance City only.}}
 
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==Geography and climate==
 
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{{main|Geography of Japan}}
 
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Japan is a country of over 3,000 islands extending along the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast of Asia. The main islands, running from north to south, are [[Hokkaidō]], [[Honshū]] (the main island), [[Shikoku]], and [[Kyūshū]]. The [[Ryukyu Islands]], including [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]], are a chain of islands south of Kyushū. Together they are often known as the [[Japanese Archipelago]].
 
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About 70% to 80% of the country is forested, mountainous,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566679/Japan.html |title="Japan" | publisher = Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia | date = 2006 | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Japan |title = Japan Information - Page 1 | publisher = WorldInfoZone.com | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use. This is due to the generally steep elevations, climate and risk of landslides caused by earthquakes, soft ground and heavy rain. This has resulted in an extremely high population density in the habitable zones that are mainly located in coastal areas. Japan is the thirtieth [[list of countries by population density|most densely populated country]] in the world.
 
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Its location on the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]], at the juncture of three tectonic plates, gives Japan frequent low-intensity tremors and occasional volcanic activity. Destructive [[earthquake]]s, often resulting in [[tsunami]]s, occur several times each century. The most recent major quakes are the [[2004 Chuetsu Earthquake|2004 Chūetsu Earthquake]] and the [[Great Hanshin earthquake|Great Hanshin Earthquake]] of 1995. [[Onsen|Hot springs]] are numerous and have been developed as resorts.
 
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The climate of Japan is predominantly [[temperate]], but varies greatly from north to south. Japan's geographical features divide it into six principal climatic zones:
 
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* [[Hokkaidō]]: The northernmost zone has a temperate climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. [[precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snow banks in the winter.
 
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* [[Sea of Japan]]: On Honshū's west coast, the northwest wind in the wintertime brings heavy snowfall. In the summer, the region is cooler than the Pacific area, though it sometimes experiences extremely hot temperatures, due to the [[Föhn wind]] phenomenon.
 
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* [[Central Highland (Japan)|Central Highland]]: A typical inland climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter, and between day and night. Precipitation is light.
 
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* [[Inland Sea|Seto Inland Sea]]: The mountains of the [[Chūgoku region|Chūgoku]] and [[Shikoku]] regions shelter the region from the seasonal winds, bringing mild weather throughout the year.
 
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* [[Pacific Ocean]]: The east coast experiences cold winters with little snowfall and hot, humid summers due to the southeast seasonal wind.
 
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* [[Ryukyu Islands|South-west Islands]]: The Ryukyu Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season. [[Tropical cyclone|Typhoons]] are common.
 
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The main [[Monsoon|rainy season]] begins in early May in Okinawa, and the stationary rain front responsible for this gradually works its way north until it dissipates in northern Japan before reaching Hokkaidō in late July. In most of Honshū, the rainy season begins before the middle of June and lasts about six weeks. In late summer and early autumn, [[typhoon]]s often bring heavy rain.
 
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Japan is home to nine forest [[Ecoregions of Japan|ecoregions]] which reflect the climate and geography of the islands. They range from [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|subtropical moist broadleaf forests]] in the Ryūkyū and Bonin islands, to [[temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]] in the mild climate regions of the main islands, to [[temperate coniferous forests]] in the cold, winter portions of the northern islands.
 
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==Economy==
 
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{{main|Economy of Japan}}
 
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Close [[government]]-[[industry]] cooperation, a strong [[work ethic]], mastery of [[high tech]]nology, and a comparatively small [[Defense budget of Japan|defense allocation]] have helped Japan become the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|second largest]] economy in the world,<ref name="imf">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2005&ey=2005&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C686%2C218%2C688%2C963%2C518%2C616%2C728%2C223%2C558%2C516%2C138%2C918%2C353%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C965%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a=&pr1.x=64&pr1.y=9 |title=World Economic Outlook Database; country comparisons | publisher = [[IMF]] | date = [[2006-09-01]] | accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> after the [[United States]], at around US$4.5 [[trillion]] in terms of [[nominal GDP]]<ref name="imf"/> and third after the United States and [[People's Republic of China|China]] if [[purchasing power parity]] is used.<ref>See the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|wikipedia entry]] on countries ranked by GDP through PPP calculations.</ref>
 
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[[Bank]]ing, [[insurance]], [[real estate]], [[Retailer|retail]]ing, [[transportation in Japan|transportation]] and [[telecommunication]]s are all major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest and most technologically advanced producers of [[motor vehicle]]s, [[electronics|electronic equipment]], [[machine tool]]s, [[steel]] and nonferrous [[metal]]s, [[ship]]s, [[chemical]]s, [[textile]]s and [[processed food]]s. It is home to leading [[multinational corporation]]s and commercial [[brand]]s in [[technology]] and [[machinery]] (see also [[list of Japanese companies]]).<ref name="ciaecon"/> [[Construction]] has long been one of Japan's largest industries, with the help of multi-billion dollar government contracts in the civil sector. Distinguishing characteristics of the Japanese economy include the cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and banks in closely-knit groups called ''[[keiretsu]]'' (examples include [[Mitsubishi]], [[Sumitomo]] and [[Mitsui]]), powerful enterprise unions and ''[[shunto]]'', the guarantee of [[lifetime employment]] (''shushin koyo'') in big corporations and highly [[labour union|unionized]] [[blue-collar]] factories. Recently, Japanese companies have begun to abandon some of these norms in an attempt to increase profitability.
 
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In terms of financial sector, it is home to the world's largest bank,<ref name="mufg">[http://www.mufg.jp/english/ir/fs/backnumber/2007mufg-mar-1q/pdffile/mufg2007_1q_e.pdf Consolidated financial information (PDF).] Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. ([[2006-07-31]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-29]].</ref> the [[Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group]],<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54352-2004Jul16.html Japan Merger Creates World's Largest Bank] [[Washington Post]] ([[2004-07-16]]). Retrieved on [[2007-03-10]].</ref> which has roughly US$1.7 [[trillion]] in [[asset]]s<ref name="mufg"/> and the world's largest [[postal savings system]] and the largest holder of [[saving|personal saving]]s, [[Japan Post]] that holds personal savings valued at around US$3.3 [[trillion]]. It is home to the world's second largest [[stock exchange]], the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]], with a market [[capitalization]] of over US$4 [[trillion]] as of December 2006.<ref>[http://www.tse.or.jp/STATISTICS/e01.html Market data.] Tokyo Stock Exchange ([[2006-12-28]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-29]].</ref> It is also home to some of the largest [[financial services]] companies, [[business group]]s and [[bank]]s. For instance several large [[keiretsu]]s (business groups) and multinational companies such as [[Sony]], [[Sumitomo]], [[Mitsubishi]] and [[Toyota]] own billion- and trillion-[[US dollar|dollar]] operating [[bank]]s, [[investment|investment group]]s and/or financial services such as [[Sumitomo Bank]], [[Fuji Bank]], [[Mitsubishi Bank]], [[Toyota Financial Services]] and [[Sony Financial Holdings]]. (see also [[List of banks in Japan|list of Japanese banks]]).
 
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From the 1960s to the 1980s, overall real economic growth has been called [[Japanese post-war economic miracle|a "miracle"]]: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and a 4% average in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7176.html | title = Japan: Patterns of Development | publisher = country-data.com | date = January 1994 | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, largely due to the after-effects of [[Japanese asset price bubble|over-investment during the late 1980s]] and domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth met with little success and were further hampered in 2000 to 2001 by the deceleration of the global economy.<ref name="ciaecon">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#Econ |title=World Factbook; Japan - Economy | publisher = [[CIA]] | date = [[2006-12-19]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> However, the economy showed strong signs of recovery after 2005. GDP growth for that year was 2.8%, with an annualized fourth quarter expansion of 5.5%, surpassing the growth rates of the US and [[European Union]] during the same period.<ref>Masake, Hisane. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/HC02Dh01.html A farewell to zero]. ''Asia Times Online'' ([[2006-03-02]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref> Unlike previous recovery trends, domestic consumption has been the dominant factor of growth.
 
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Because only about 15% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation,<ref>Choudhury, Kingshuk Roy. [http://www.nourin.tsukuba.ac.jp/~tasae/Japan.pdf Water Resources in relation to Major Agro-Environmental Issues in Japan]. College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University ([[2006]]). Retrieved on [[2007-02-21]].</ref> a system of terrace farming is used to build in small areas. This results in one of the world's highest levels of crop yields per unit area. However, Japan's small [[agriculture|agricultural]] sector is also highly subsidized and protected. Japan must import about 50%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skillclear.co.uk/japan/default.asp |title=Japan Immigration Work Permits and Visas: About Japan | publisher = Skillclear.co.uk | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> of its requirements of [[grain]] and fodder crops other than rice, and it relies on imports for most of its supply of [[meat]]. In fishing, Japan is ranked second in the world behind [[People's Republic of China|China]] in tonnage of fish caught. Japan maintains one of the world's largest [[fishing]] fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch.<ref name="ciaecon"/> Japan relies on foreign countries for almost all [[oil]] and [[food]].<ref>http://www.mod.go.jp/e/defense_policy/example/maritime/index.htm</ref>
 
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Japan has 1,177,278&nbsp;[[km]] of paved roadways, 173 airports, and 23,577&nbsp;km of [[railway]]s as of 2004.<ref name="ciaecon"/> Transportation is highly developed. Air transport is mostly operated by [[All Nippon Airways]] (ANA) and [[Japan Airlines]] (JAL). Railways are operated by [[Japan Railways]] among others. There are extensive international flights from many cities and countries to and from Japan.
 
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Japan's main export partners are the [[United States]] 22.9%, [[People's Republic of China|China]] 13.4%, [[South Korea]] 7.8%, [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] 7.3% and [[Hong Kong]] 6.1% (for 2005). Japan's main exports are transport equipment, [[motor vehicles]], [[electronics]], electrical machinery and [[chemical]]s.<ref name="ciaecon"/> With very limited [[natural resources]] to sustain economic development, Japan depends on other nations for most of its raw materials; thus it imports a wide variety of goods. Its main import partners are [[People's Republic of China|China]] 21%, [[United States|U.S.]] 12.7%, [[Saudi Arabia]] 5.5%, [[UAE]] 4.9%, [[Australia]] 4.7%, [[South Korea]] 4.7% and [[Indonesia]] 4% (for 2005). Japan's main imports are machinery and equipment, [[fossil fuels]], [[foodstuff]]s (in particular [[beef]]), [[chemicals]], [[textile]]s and raw materials for its industries. Overall, Japan's largest trading partner is [[People's Republic of China|China]].<ref>Blustein, Paul. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40192-2005Jan26.html "China Passes U.S. In Trade With Japan: 2004 Figures Show Asian Giant's Muscle".] ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2005-01-27]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref>
 
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==Science and technology==
 
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{{main|Science and technology in Japan}}
 
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Japan is a leading nation in the fields of [[scientific research]], [[technology]], [[machinery]] and [[medical research]] with the world's third largest budget for [[research and development]] at [[US$]]130 billion, and over 677,000 researchers.<ref>McDonald, Joe. [http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8LQ0OI00.htm OECD: China to spend $136 billion on R&D]. ''BusinessWeek'' ([[2006-12-04]]). Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref>
 
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Some of Japan's more important technological contributions are found in the fields of [[electronics]], [[machinery]], [[industrial robots|industrial robotics]], [[optics]], [[chemical]]s, [[semiconductors]] and [[metal]]s. Japan leads the world in [[robotics]], possessing more than half (402,200 of 742,500) of the world's industrial robots used for manufacturing.<ref>[http://www.unece.org/press/pr2000/00stat10e.htm The Boom in Robot Investment Continues – 900,000 Industrial Robots by 2003.] and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Press release [[2000-10-17]]. Retrieved on [[2006-12-28]].</ref> It also produced [[QRIO]], [[ASIMO]], and [[Aibo]]. Japan is also home to six of the [[List of automobile manufacturers#World Motor Vehicle Production by Manufacturer|world's 15 largest]] automobile manufacturers and seven of the [[Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders|world 20 largest]] [[semiconductor]] sales leaders.
 
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Japan has also made headway into [[aerospace]] research and [[space exploration]]. The [[Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]] (JAXA) conducts space and planetary research, aviation research, and development of rockets and satellites. It also built the [[Japanese Experiment Module]], which is slated to be launched and added to the [[International Space Station]] during [[Space Shuttle]] assembly flights in 2007 and 2008.
 
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==Demographics==
 
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{{main|Demographics of Japan|Japanese language|Religion in Japan}}
 
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Japan's population is estimated at around 127,463,611.<ref name="ciapeople">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#People |title=World Factbook; Japan - People | publisher = [[CIA]] | date = [[2006-12-19]] | accessdate=2007-01-05}}</ref> For the most part, Japanese society is [[Linguistics|linguistically]] and culturally homogeneous with only small populations of foreign workers, [[Zainichi Korean]]s, [[Japanese Brazilians]], and others. Japan also has indigenous minority groups such as the [[Ainu people|Ainu]] and [[Ryūkyūans]], and social minority groups like the ''[[burakumin]]''.
 
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Japan has one of the highest [[life expectancy]] rates in the world, at 81.25 years of age as of 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html |title=The World Factbook: Rank order - Life expectancy at birth | publisher = [[CIA]] | date = [[2006-12-19]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> However, the Japanese population is rapidly aging, the effect of [[Post-WW2 baby boom|a post-war baby boom]] followed by a decrease in births in the latter part of the 20th century. In 2004, about 19.5% of the population was over the age of 65.<ref name="handbook">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.go.jp/English/data/handbook/c02cont.htm |title=Statistical Handbook of Japan: Chapter 2 - Population | publisher = Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> The changes in the demographic structure have created a number of social issues, particularly a potential decline in the workforce population and increases in the cost of social security benefits such as the [[pension|public pension plan]]. It is also noted that many Japanese youth are increasingly preferring not to [[marry]] or have families as adults.<ref name="Ogawa" /> Japan's population is expected to drop to 100 million by 2050 and to 64 million by 2100.<ref name="handbook"/>
 
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Demographers and government planners are currently in a heated debate over how to cope with this problem.<ref name="Ogawa">Ogawa, Naohiro.[http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/japan/socsec/ogawa.html "Demographic Trends and Their Implications for Japan's Future".] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Transcript of speech delieved on ([[7 March]], [[1997]]). Retrieved on [[14 May]] [[2006]].</ref> [[Immigration]] and birth incentives are sometimes suggested as a solution to provide younger workers to support the nation's aging population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jipi.gr.jp/english/message.html |title=Japan Immigration Policy Institute: Director's message |accessdate=2007-01-05}}</ref> Immigration, however, is not popular.<ref>French, Howard.[http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/international/asia/24JAPA.html?ei=5007&en=53c7315175389e69&ex=1374379200&partner=USERLAND&pagewanted=all&position=""Insular Japan Needs, but Resists, Immigration".] "[[The New York Times]]" ([[2003-07-24]]). Retrieved on [[2007-02-21]].}}</ref>
 
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About 99% of the population speaks Japanese as their first language.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web-japan.org/factsheet/language/index.html |title=Japanese Language |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref>
 
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The [[Ryūkyūan languages]], also part of the [[Japonic languages|Japonic language family]] to which Japanese belongs, are spoken in [[Okinawa]], but few children learn these languages. [[Ainu language|Ainu]], the language of the indigenous minority in northern Japan, is [[Moribund language|moribund]], with only a few elderly [[First language|native speakers]] remaining in [[Hokkaidō]]. Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English.
 
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The [[Japanese language]] is an [[agglutinative language]] distinguished by a system of [[Japanese honorifics|honorifics]] reflecting the [[Hierarchy|hierarchical]] nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular vocabulary which indicate the relative status of speaker and listener.
 
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Japanese incorporates many foreign elements. Japanese has borrowed or derived large amounts of vocabulary from [[Chinese language|Chinese]]. When non-Chinese foreign words are written in Japanese, they are usually done so in a separate alphabet called [[katakana]]. Since the end of World War II, Japanese has also extensively borrowed from [[English language|English]]. The [[Japanese writing system|writing system]] uses [[kanji]] ([[Chinese character]]s) and two sets of [[kana]] ([[syllabary|syllabaries]] based on simplified forms of Chinese characters), as well as the [[Roman alphabet]] and [[Arabic numerals]].
 
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Around 84% of Japanese people profess to believe both [[Shinto]] (the indigenous religion of Japan) and [[Buddhism]].<ref name="ciapeople">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#People |title=World Factbook; Japan - People | publisher = [[CIA]] | date = [[2006-12-19]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> Buddhism, [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]] from China have significantly influenced Japanese beliefs and mythology. Religion in Japan tends to be [[syncretic]] in nature, and this results in a variety of practices, such as parents and children celebrating [[Shinto]] rituals, students praying before exams, couples holding a wedding at a [[Christian]] [[church]] and funerals being held at [[Buddhist]] temples. A minority (0.7%) profess to [[Christianity]].<ref name="ciapeople"/> In addition, since the mid-19th century, numerous religious sects (''[[Shinshūkyō]]'') have emerged in Japan.
 
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==Education and health==
 
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{{JapanEducationalScores2003}}
 
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{{main|Education in Japan|Health care in Japan}}
 
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Primary, secondary schools, and universities were introduced into Japan in 1872 as a result of the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jref.com/society/japanese_educational_system.shtml |title=Japan's Educational System | publisher = Japan Reference | date = [[2004-05-01]] | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Since 1947, compulsory education in Japan consists of [[elementary school]] and [[middle school]], which lasts for 9 years (from age 6 to age 15). Almost all children continue their education at a three-year senior [[high school]], and, according to the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)|MEXT]], about 75.9% of high school graduates attend a [[university]], [[junior college]], trade school, or other post-secondary institution in [[2005]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mext.go.jp/english/statist/05101901/005.pdf |title=School Education | publisher = [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)|MEXT]] | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Japan's education is very competitive,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/education_literacy.htm |title=Japanese Education and Literacy | publisher = Asian Info | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> especially for entrance to institutions of higher education. The most prestigious universities in Japan are the [[University of Tokyo]], [[Keio University]], and [[Waseda University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559711_2/Tokyo.html |title=Tokyo: Education and Culture | publisher = [[MSN Encarta]] | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref>
 
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In Japan, healthcare services are provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyu.edu/projects/rodwin/lessons.html |title=Health Care in Japan | publisher = New York University | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice.
 
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==Culture==
 
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{{main|Culture of Japan}}
 
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Japanese [[culture]] has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original [[Jomon]] culture to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from [[Asia]], [[Europe]] and [[North America]].
 
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Traditional [[Japanese art]]s include [[Japanese crafts|crafts]] ([[ikebana]], [[origami]], [[ukiyo-e]], [[Japanese traditional dolls|dolls]], [[lacquer]]ware, [[Japanese pottery|pottery]]), performances ([[bunraku]], [[Japanese traditional dance|dance]], [[kabuki]], [[noh]], [[rakugo]]), traditions ([[List of Japanese games|games]], [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]], [[budo|budō]], [[Japanese architecture|architecture]], [[Japanese garden|gardens]], [[Katana|swords]]) and [[Cuisine of Japan|cuisine]].
 
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Post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European culture which has led to the evolution of popular band music (called [[J-Pop]]). The fusion of traditional [[woodblock printing]] and Western art led to the creation of [[manga]], a typically Japanese [[comic book]] format that is now popular within and outside Japan. Manga-influenced [[animation]] for television and film is called [[anime]]. Japanese-made [[video game consoles]] have prospered since the 1980s.
 
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The earliest works of [[Japanese literature]] include two history books the ''[[Kojiki]]'' and the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', and a poetry book ''[[Man'yōshū]]'' in the eighth century, all written in Chinese characters. In the early days of the [[Heian period]], the system of transcription known as ''kana'' ([[Hiragana]] and [[Katakana]]) was created as phonograms. ''[[The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter]]'' is considered the oldest Japanese narrative.<ref name="ispmsu">{{cite web |url=http://www.isp.msu.edu/AsianStudies/wbwoa/eastasia/Japan/literature.html |title= Windows on Asia - Literature : Antiquity to Middle Ages: Recent Past | publisher = Michigan State University, Office of International Studies and Programs | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> An account of Heian court life is given by ''[[The Pillow Book]]'' written by [[Sei Shōnagon]], while ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'' by [[Murasaki Shikibu|Lady Murasaki]] is often described as the world's first novel. During the [[Edo Period]], literature became not so much the field of the samurai aristocracy as that of the [[chōnin]], the ordinary people. [[Yomihon]], for example, became popular and reveals this profound change in the readership and authorship.<ref name ="ispmsu"/> The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms, during which Japanese literature integrated Western influences. [[Natsume Soseki]] and [[Mori Ogai]] were the first "modern" novelists of Japan, followed by [[Akutagawa Ryunosuke]], [[Tanizaki Junichiro]], [[Kawabata Yasunari]], [[Mishima Yukio]] and, more recently, [[Murakami Haruki]]. Japan has two [[Nobel Prize for Literature|Nobel Prize-winning]] authors — [[Kawabata Yasunari]] (1968) and [[Oe Kenzaburo]] (1994).<ref name="ispmsu"/>
 
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[[Music of Japan|Japanese music]] is eclectic, having borrowed instruments, scales, and styles from neighboring cultures. Many instruments, such as the [[koto]], were introduced in the ninth and tenth centuries. The accompanied [[recitative]] of the [[Noh]] drama dates from the fourteenth century and the popular folk music, with the guitar-like [[shamisen]], from the 16th.<ref>Japanese Culture, The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, 1983 edition, © Columbia University Press ISBN 0-380-63396-5</ref> [[Western music]], introduced in the late nineteenth century, now forms an integral part of the culture, as evident from the profusion of [[J-Pop]] artists. Modern Japanese music generally uses Western instruments, scales and style.
 
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==Sports and recreation==
 
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{{main|Sport in Japan}}
 
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Traditionally, [[sumo]] is considered Japan's [[national sport]] and is one of its most popular.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html Sumo: East and West] [[PBS]]. Retrieved on [[2007-03-10]].</ref> Martial arts such as [[judo|judō]], [[karate]] and [[kendo|kendō]] are also widely practiced in the country.
 
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After the Meiji Restoration, many Western sports were introduced in Japan and began to spread through the education system. These sports were initially stressed as a form of mental discipline, but many Japanese have now come to enjoy them as recreational activities.
 
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[[Baseball]] is the most popular [[spectator sport]] in Japan and the [[Japanese Baseball League|professional baseball league in Japan]] was established in 1936.<ref>{{cite book
 
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| author = Nagata, Yoichi and Holway, John B.
 
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| editor = Pete Palmer
 
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| title = Total Baseball
 
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| edition = Fourth Edition
 
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| year = 1995
 
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| publisher = Viking Press
 
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| location = New York
 
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| pages = 547
 
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| chapter = Japanese Baseball
 
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}}</ref> One of the most famous Japanese baseball players is [[Ichiro Suzuki]], who plays in North American [[major league baseball]], after having won Japan's Most Valuable Player award for the three consecutive years of 1994, 1995, and 1996. Since the establishment of a [[J. League|professional soccer league in Japan]] in 1992, [[Football in Japan|football]] has also gained a wide following. Japan was a venue of the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] from 1981 to 2004 and co-hosted the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] with [[South Korea]].
 
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[[Golf]] is popular in Japan, as is [[auto racing]], the [[Super GT]] sports car series and [[Formula Nippon]] formula racing.
 
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Every year, Japan observes the second Monday in October as [[Health and Sports Day]]. The date, originally October 10, commemorates the opening day of the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo. Other major sporting events that Japan has hosted include the [[1972 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sapporo]] and the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] in [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]].
 
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==See also==
 
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{{Japan topics}}
 
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{{wikiatlas|Japan}}
 
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==References==
 
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{{sisterlinks|Japan}}
 
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{{portal|Japan|Imperial Seal of Japan.svg}}
 
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{{reflist}}
 
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==External links==
 
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; Official
 
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* [http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html Kantei.go.jp] - Official [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime ministerial]] and cabinet site
 
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* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html Kunaicho.go.jp] - Official site of the [[Imperial House of Japan|Imperial family]].
 
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* [http://www.mofa.go.jp/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs] - Detailed papers on Japan's foreign policy, education programs, culture and life.
 
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* [http://www.shugiin.go.jp/index.nsf/html/index_e.htm Shugi-in.go.jp] - Official site of the House of Representatives
 
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* [http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/index.html National Diet Library (English)]
 
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* [http://www.nhk.or.jp/english/ NHK Online]
 
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* [http://home.kyodo.co.jp/ Kyodo News]
 
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* [http://www.tokyo1.org/ News1 Japan historic and current photo archive]
 
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* [http://www.asahi.com/english/index.html Asahi Shimbun (English)]
 
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* [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ The Japan Times]
 
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; Tourism
 
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*[http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ Japan National Tourist Organization]
 
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* {{wikitravel}}
 
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; Other
 
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* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html CIA World Factbook - ''Japan'']
 
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* [http://www.britannica.com/nations/Japan Encyclopaedia Britannica's Japan portal site]
 
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* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/0,7368,450622,00.html Guardian Unlimited - ''Special Report: Japan'']
 
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* {{gutenberg author| id=Japan | name=Government of Japan}}
 
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** The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, 1889
 
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** The Constitution of Japan, 1946}}
 
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==Further reading==
 
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* ''The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan'', Cambridge University Press, 1993 (ISBN 0-521-40352-9)
 
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* De Mente, ''The Japanese Have a Word For It'', McGraw-Hill, 1997 (ISBN 0-8442-8316-9)
 
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* Henshall, ''A History of Japan'', Palgrave Macmillan, 2001 (ISBN 0-312-23370-1)
 
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* Jansen, ''The Making of Modern Japan'', Belknap, 2000 (ISBN 0-674-00334-9)
 
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* ''Japan At A Glance'', Kodansha, 1998 (ISBN 4-7700-2080-5)
 
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* Johnson, ''Japan: Who Governs?'', W.W. Norton, 1996 (ISBN 0-393-31450-2)
 
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* Reischauer, ''Japan: The Story of a Nation'', McGraw-Hill, 1989 (ISBN 0-07-557074-2)
 
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* Sugimoto et al., ''An Introduction to Japanese Society'', Cambridge University Press, 2003 (ISBN 0-521-52925-5)
 
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* Totman, ''A History of Modern Japan'', 2d ed., Blackwell, 2005 (ISBN 1-4051-2359-1)
 
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* Van Wolferen, ''The Enigma of Japanese Power'', Vintage, 1990 (ISBN 0-679-72802-3)
 
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{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
 
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{{Countries and territories of East Asia}}
 
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{{Countries bordering the Sea of Japan and/or the Yellow Sea}}
 
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{{East Asia Summit}}
 
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{{G8}}
 
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{{Monarchies}}
 
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[[Category:Japan| ]]
 
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Revision as of 22:59, March 18, 2007

Group of islands off the eastern coast of Asia. The principal islands are, in the Roman alphabet, Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. Japan also controls many smaller islands, notably the Ryuku chain south of Kyushu, for a total land area slightly larger than California. The climate, however, has traditionally varied from north to south as much as that from Maine to Georgia.

Early signs of human life appeared in Japan around the year 3000 BC. The wild Japanese Bison was an early target of wild game, hunted to extinction within 500 years.

According to tradition, Japan was unified by Emperor Jimmu, the grandson of the goddess Amaretsu, in the year 660 B. C. He conquered Honshu, the largest island, in a series of expeditions starting from his home base of Setsuma in Kyushu.

Modern History

Japan was closed off from the rest of the world for a long period of time under the rule of a series of military leaders known as Shoguns (see Tokugawa Shogunate), with the sole exception of Nagasaki, where Dutch merchants maintained a permanent trading post. While the Japanese Emperor continued to reign in the old capital of Kyoto, he was more of a figurehead with little more power than he possesses today. The rule of the Shoguns came to an end in the middle of the 19th century during a brief but bloody period of conflict known as the Meiji Restoration. During the Restoration a large number of young samurai from minor families, most notably Sakamoto Ryoma, tired of the government's mishandling of the country and feeling that if action was not taken Japan would be dominated by western countries, initiated an armed revolt to restore imperial rule. Most samurai from the more powerful families sided with the Shogun, fearing that the minor families would replace them if the revolt was successful. Nonetheless, the shogunate was done away with in 1867 and the imperial period began. The capital was moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo; by the early twenty-first century, it had become the center of the world's largest urban conglomeration.

The phrase "imperial period" is not meant to imply that the emperor ruled absolutely in the style of Louis XIV or a Russian tsar; indeed, the emperors relied on prime ministers throughout this period. Rather, it refers to Japan competing with European powers and the United States for colonies and influence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The high point of Japanese prestige was the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5, in which Japan became the principal power in Manchuria and consolidated its control of Korea.

Japan's success at this great game would ultimately prove its undoing. By 1936, during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese Empire went by the Orwellian title "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere." The increasingly powerful Japanese armed forces, partly inspired by European fascists, came to dominate Japanese politics, assassinating politicians whom they deemed insufficiently devoted to the Emperor and nation. For the next nine years, the military leadership installed its own members (such as Hideki Tojo, chief Japanese strategist of World War II) or, occasionally, civilians who were completely identified with their agenda, as prime minister.

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