|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =[[Yoshihide Suga]]Fumio Kishida
|area =377,832 sq. miles
|pop =125,000,000 (2020)
}}
'''Japan''' is a nation that consists of a group of islands off the eastern coast of [[Asia]]. Its capital, [[Tokyo]], is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 36 million people. Japan is divided into a total of 47 [[prefecture]]s.<ref>Demographia - 50 Largest World Metropolitan Areas Ranked:
2000 Estimates,[http://www.demographia.com/db-world-metro2000.htm]</ref> Japan has a culture that is more masculine in nature than comparable Western countries.
Only about 1% of Japan has long suppressed is [[ChristianityChristian]] , and its birth rate is now paying a hefty price for that, declining by suffering from about 5% annually such that it is in a long-term horrific crisis of declining population and economic decline, and thereby allowing [[China]] to replace Japan as [[Asia]]'s largest economy.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/number-births-japan-hits-record-low-2023-2024-02-27/</ref>
In November 2022, Japan edged out [[China]] as the largest foreign owner of [[U.S.]] debt, when Japan increased its holding to held $1.08 trillion in Treasury securities. Japan donated about 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the [[U.S.]] in 1912,<ref>https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/history-of-the-cherry-trees.htm</ref> which were planted in [[Washington, D.C.]] for a spectacular blooming every spring. For centuries in Japan there has been a celebration of the spring blooming of cherry blossom trees. == Political history == In the August 2009 national elections, the [[Liberal Democratic Party of Japan|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) suffered a massive defeat as voters blamed it for the poor economy, numerous corruption scandals and Prime Minister [[Taro Aso]]'s uninspiring leadership. The LDP has ruled Japan for nearly all of the last 50 years and is generally conservative, but it lost two-thirds of its seats.
The opposition [[Democratic Party of Japan]] (DPJ) swept the nation, winning 302 of the 480 seats in the powerful lower house, compared to only 112 seats before. DPJ leader [[Yukio Hatoyama]] was installed as prime minister but was replaced by [[Naoto Kan]] in June 2010. Kan was succeeded by Yoshihiko Noda in September 2011.
|romaji=Nihon-koku
}}
==Geography==
[[Image:Cherry Blossom Japan.jpg|thumb|Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji.]]
Temperature extremes are less pronounced than in the United States, but the climate varies considerably. Sapporo, on the northernmost main island, has warm summers and long, cold winters with heavy snowfall. Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, in central and western parts of the largest island of Honshu, experience relatively mild winters with little or no snowfall and hot, humid summers. Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, has a climate similar to that of Charleston, South Carolina, with mild winters and wet summers. Okinawa is subtropical.
The cherry blossom (Sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and takes a very prominent position in [[Mono no aware|Japanese culture]].<ref>[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html Cherry Blossom]</ref>
==Demographics==
===Decline===
[[File:Niños japoneces.jpg|left]]
Japan's population peaked in 2006; the following year saw the second consecutive decline2008, with an official population of 127,053,471and has declined to 126 million in 2020. The [[birth rate]] has now increased from 2006's record low, but this has been offset by an all-time-high in the [[death rate]]. 51% of the population is female, and people over 65 now make up 26.4% of the country.<ref>''[[Japan Times]]'': '[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20070803a2.html Population shrinks again despite increase in births]'. 3rd August 2007; "Japan's changing demography: Cloud, or silver linings?" ''Economist'' (Jul 26th 2007) at [https://www.economist.com/world/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9539825].</ref>
In 1947 the proportion of Japanese over 65 was around 5% of the population, well below that in Britain, France or America. Today the elderly account for one-fifth of the population, and average lifespans have grown remarkably. Life expectancy today is 82, up from a little over 50 in 1947.
Shinzo Abe was elected Prime Minister in a Diet vote in September 2006. Abe was the first prime minister to be born after World War II and the youngest prime minister since the war. However, Abe resigned abruptly on September 12, 2007, not long after the LDP lost control of the upper house in the July 2007 elections in which the LDP's handing of domestic issues was a leading issue. Yasuo Fu''''kuda of the LDP was elected prime minister by the Diet on September 25, 2007, to replace Abe. Fu''''kuda, whose father served as prime minister in the late 1970s, is known as a moderate and for his experience building consensus behind the scenes.
Conservative of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) criticized the [[Biden regime]]'s ambassador [[Rahm Emanuel]] inserting himself in domestic politics, particularly pressuring Japan’s legislature to pass a pro-[[LGBT]] law. Emanuel pressured the Diet to embrace Western notions of "LGBT rights". “He shouldn’t interfere in Japan’s domestic affairs, especially with the legislation that is not even passed in his own country. What gives him the right to control us? Is he trying to culturally colonize us?” Japanese conservative commentator Yoko Ishii asked in remarks made to ''[[Breitbart News]]''. “Many of us Japanese are already sick and tired of the interference in domestic affairs by Ambassador Emanuel. This is making us distrust the U.S. This is making us want to stay away from the U.S. I don’t understand how he doesn’t see what he’s causing as a result of his stubborn ideology and ego.” Complaints about American interference have become increasingly common on Japanese conservative political forums and a unifying complaint for the Japanese right.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2023/05/16/japan-bristles-at-rahm-emanuel-diplomacy/</ref>
===Principal Government Officials===
[[File:Emperor Akihito Japan.jpg|thumb|Emperor Akihito.]]
*Head of State—Emperor NaruhitoAkihito*Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Yoshihide Suga
*Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura
*Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa
In May 2007, just prior to the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Prime Minister Abe announced an initiative to address greenhouse gas emissions and seek to mitigate the impact of energy consumption on climate. At the January 2008, [[World Economic Forum]] in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Fu''''kuda reiterated his commitment to this plan. As host of the G8 Summit in July 2008, Japan will focus on four themes: environment and climate change, development and Africa, the world economy, and political issues including non-proliferation.
In September 2010, a Chinese fishing boat deliberately rammed two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands.
===Relations with the United States===
Because of the two countries' combined economic and technological impact on the world, the U.S.-Japan relationship has become global in scope. The United States and Japan cooperate on a broad range of global issues, including development assistance, combating communicable disease such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and avian influenza, and protecting the environment and natural resources. Both countries also collaborate in science and technology in such areas as mapping the human genome, research on aging, and international space exploration. As one of Asia's most successful democracies and its largest economy, Japan contributes irreplaceable political, financial, and moral support to U.S.-Japan diplomatic efforts. The United States consults closely with Japan and the Republic of Korea on policy regarding North Korea. In Southeast Asia, U.S.-Japan cooperation is vital for stability and for political and economic reform. Outside Asia, Japanese political and financial support has substantially strengthened the U.S. position on a variety of global geopolitical problems, including the Gulf, Middle East peace efforts, and the Balkans. Japan is an indispensable partner on UN reform and the second largest contributor to the UN budget. Japan broadly supports the United States on nonproliferation and nuclear issues. The U.S. supports Japan's aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
== Economy =NATO war on the Russian Federation===Japan never concluded a peace treaty with the [[Soviet Union]] after World War II. The [[Russian Federation]] assumed all previous pacts and treaties when the former Soviet Union dissolved. This includes the August 9, 1945 Soviet Declaration of War on Japan. On October 3, 2022 Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his intention to concluded a peace treaty with Russia,<ref>https://ria.ru/20221003/dogovor-1821066715.html</ref> but was rebuffed by [[Kremlin]] spokesman [[Dmitry Peskov]] declaring that "peace talks with Japan are now impossible”.<ref>https://ria.ru/20221003/yaponiya-1821119329.html</ref>
After Ukrainian dictator [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] attempted to ignite World War III,<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/volodymyr-zelensky-accused-trying-start-world-war-iii-over-poland-missile-strike-1760125 Zelensky Accused of Trying to Start World War III Over Missile Strike], BY MATTHEW IMPELLI, ''[[Newsweek]]'', 11/16/22</ref> former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori criticized Zelensky and the media saying, "I don't quite understand why only [[President Putin]] is criticized while Mr. Zelenskyy isn't taken to task at all. Mr Zelenskyy has made many Ukrainian people suffer." Mori blasted Japanese news outlets, saying their "one-sided" reporting on the [[NATO war in Ukraine]] gives the impression they "only rely on reports from Europe and the United States." Mori made the remarks at a gathering related to Muneo Suzuki, a veteran lawmaker known for his efforts to resolve the disputed [[Kuril Islands]] issue with Russia, according to the ''Kyodo News Agency''.<ref>https://japantoday.com/category/politics/ex-japan-pm-harsh-on-zelenskyy-over-war-in-ukraine</ref>
In March 2023 the Japanese magazine ''Shūkan Gendai'' criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Kyiv. “Kishida’s visit to Ukraine is the height of stupidity. Zelensky runs the risk of becoming the second [[Osama bin Laden]], who was also supported by the United States at one time. Osama bin Laden, who is now considered a dangerous terrorist by the United States, was originally a [[Mujahideen]]. Then the Mujahideen fought with the [[Soviet]] troops in [[Afghanistan]], and the United States provided them with weapons and money as part of Operation Cyclone. It was just a matter of time. In other words, it was the United States who raised Bin Laden as Mr Hero and then got rid of him. Zelensky’s future “location” should be closely monitored”.<ref>https://twitter.com/GraphicW5/status/1638525754194423819</ref>
In late December 2023 Japan was warned by the Russian Federation about sending [[Patriot missile]] batteries to Ukraine.<ref>https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/russia-warns-japan-over-providing-patriot-air-defence-systems-to-ukraine/49087754</ref>
On January 29, 2024 the two former [[Axis Powers]] of [[World War II]], [[Germany]] and Japan, signed a military pact to facilitate exchanges of supplies and logistical support.<ref>https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/f4dbfe9cbad4-japan-germany-sign-military-supply-sharing-pact-amid-china-rise.html</ref>
== Economy ==
Japan was devastated by [[World War II]].<ref>World War II wiped out many of the gains Japan had made since 1868. About 40 percent of the nation's industrial plants and infrastructure were destroyed, and production reverted to levels of about fifteen years earlier.[http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7176.html Japan - Patterns of Development]</ref>
Yet Japan's economy recovered over the years 1950-1980 through a partnership between government and industry. The goal in 1950 was to become the world leader in textiles, which was achieved by 1959. The goal in 1960 was to become the world's top producer in steel by 1970, and the goal in 1970 was to become the world's leader in the production of automobiles. Each goal was achieved within one year of the target date.<ref>[http://www.nightingale.com/Offers/ziglar-goalsvideo.html?promo=intgooga660&org=intgooga660&gclid=CIPP8tG736QCFUpe7AodkGqbKw Source: Zig Ziglar's motivational talk on goal setting]</ref>
[[File:Tokyo.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Tokyo.]]
Now Japan's industrialized, free market economy is the secondthird-largest in the world. Its economy is highly efficient and competitive in areas linked to international trade, but productivity is far lower in protected areas such as agriculture, distribution, and services. After achieving one of the highest economic growth rates in the world from the 1960s through the 1980s, the Japanese economy slowed dramatically in the early 1990s, when the "bubble economy" collapsed, marked by plummeting stock and real estate prices. Together with the impact of the worldwide [[recession of 2008]], Japan's status as a global economic power is slipping fast, with [[China ]] already surpassing Japan in 2011, thus becoming Asia's largest economy, and with India poised to supplant surpass Japan as the world' seconds third-largest economy by 2010 or 2011the late 2020s.
Japan's reservoir of industrial leadership and technicians, well-educated and industrious work force, high savings and investment rates, and intensive promotion of industrial development and foreign trade produced a mature industrial economy. Japan has few natural resources, and trade helps it earn the foreign exchange needed to purchase raw materials for its economy.
=== Economic History ===
In 1960, with a GDP with over $40 billion,<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_largest_historical_GDP</ref>, Japan was the ninth-largest economy, below the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, and Canada. Because of economic reforms and economic freedom set out by the Japanese government, Japan boomed to $90 trillion in 1965, getting to sixth. The booming economy of Japan was doubling in less than five years, and got to fourth place with $200 billion in 1970. It went to $512.5 billion in 1975, becoming the third-largest economy. In 1980, Japan again more than doubled, with a $1.1 trillion GDP. Experts predicted another more-than-double in 1985. That wasn't the case. Instead, Japan went to $1.4 trillion in 1985, slowing down a little bit. In 1990, Japan had a $3.15 trillion GDP, more-than-doubling again, and now overtaking the Soviet Union's economy, and thus getting to 2nd. In 1995, Japan exploded to 5.5 trillion dollars, and experts thought Japan would overtake the US.<ref>https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-04-10-9504100029-story.html</ref> But Japan slowed down in 2000, going down to $4.9 trillion, but keeping second place. In 2005, Japan went down further to $4.75 trillion, still being second. But, in 2010, Japan was a $6 trillion dollar economy, tying with China. In 2015, Japan was down to 3rd, with $4.4 trillion. Japan is now a very risky investment, barely getting to $5 trillion in 2020.
===Agriculture, Energy, and Minerals===
===U.S./Japanese Economic Relations===
U.S. economic policy toward Japan is aimed at increasing access to Japan's markets and two-way investment, stimulating domestic demand-led economic growth, promoting economic restructuring, improving the climate for U.S. investors, and raising the standard of living in both the United States and Japan. The U.S.-Japan bilateral economic relationship—based on enormous flows of trade, investment, and finance—is strong, mature, and increasingly interdependent. Further, it is firmly rooted in the shared interest and responsibility of the United States and Japan to promote global growth, open markets, and a vital world trading system. In addition to bilateral economic ties, the U.S. and Japan cooperate closely in multilateral fora such as the WTO, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, and regionally in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).
[[File:Japan US relations Obama Naoto.jpg|thumb|left|300px|President Obama and Prime Minister Naoto Kan.]]
Japan is a major market for many U.S. products, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, films and music, commercial aircraft, nonferrous metals, plastics, and medical and scientific supplies. Japan also is the largest foreign market for U.S. agricultural products, with total agricultural exports valued at $10.1 billion in 2007, a 20% increase over the $8.39 billion in agricultural exports recorded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2006. Revenues from Japanese tourism to the United States reached nearly $13 billion in 2005.
Japan, in utter ruins, was occupied by the U.S. until 1951, as Emperor Hirohito led a regime that Americanized the nation, modernized and liberalized its economy and polity, and become an economic superpower, staunch American ally, and a democracy that gave up all its empire and its military power. The emperor stepped down from his traditional godly status but remains the powerful symbol of national identity and unity. Political power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally.
'''United States influence on Japan:'''
"After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the United States led the Allies in the occupation and rehabilitation of the Japanese state. Between 1945 and 1952, the U.S. occupying forces, led by General [[Douglas MacArthur|Douglas A. MacArthur]], enacted widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms." - [https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/japan-reconstruction#:~:text=After%20the%20defeat%20of%20Japan,%2C%20economic%2C%20and%20social%20reforms. Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52]
Influence of American management consultant [[William Edwards Deming]] on Japan: "Starting in 1950 and in subsequent trips to Japan - 27 trips in all - Deming taught the Japanese his management philosophy which eventually came to be called the System of Profound Knowledge. This work has widely been cited as a key reason for Japan's rise as an economic world power on the international stage." - [https://www.schoolperformanceinstitute.org/blog/2020/11/13/the-influence-of-w-edwards-deming-1900-1993#:~:text=Starting%20in%201950%20and%20in,power%20on%20the%20international%20stage. The Influence of W. Edwards Deming (1900-1993)]
====Current Status====
* Hane, Mikiso. ''Modern Japan: A Historical Survey'' (2nd ed 1992), 474pp [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=57239340 online edition]
* Perez, Louis G. ''The History of Japan'' (1998) 244pp [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=93932879 online edition]
== External links ==
*[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/ Japan Times] - News about Japan
Video:
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkF3ievVsXI Japan and the West: The First 500 Years | Japanese History Documentary (1298 - 1854)]
==References==
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]
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