Population: 127,417,244 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Tokyo
Languages: Japanese
Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
Government: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous
Geography: strategic location in northeast Asia
Ethnic groups: Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean
511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914)
up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil
(2004)
Economy: Government-industry cooperation, a strong
work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with
extraordinary rapidity to the rank of third largest economy in the world after the US and China, measured on a purchasing
power parity (PPP) basis. Japan is the second largest economy, measured on an exchange rate basis. One notable characteristic
of the economy is the working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A
second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both
features are now eroding. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The tiny
agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self
sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of
the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic
growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth
slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of overinvestment during the late
1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets and
to force a restructuring of the economy. From 2000 to 2003, government efforts to revive economic growth met with little
success and were further hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and Asian economies. In 2004 and 2005, growth improved
and the lingering fears of deflation in prices and economic activity lessened. Japan's huge government debt, which totals
170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. A rise in taxes could be viewed as endangering
the revival of growth. Internal conflict over the proper way to reform the financial system will continue as Japan Post's
banking, insurance, and delivery services undergo privatization between 2007 and 2017.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $30,400 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 2.1% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (2005 est.)
Internet country code: .jp
Dial code: +81
In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long
period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy
stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States in 1854, Japan
opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan
became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and
southern Sakhalin Island. In 1933 Japan occupied Manchuria and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan
attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast
Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the
emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual 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. In 2005, Japan began a
two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.