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{{Short description|Island country in East Asia}}
{{featured article}}
{{redirect-several|Japan|Nihon|Nippon|JPN}}
{{otheruses1|the country in East Asia}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Infobox Country or territory
{{pp-semi-indef}}
|native_name = 日本(国)<br/>''Nippon''&nbsp;/&nbsp;''Nihon'' (koku)
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
|conventional_long_name = Japan
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
|common_name = Japan
{{bots|deny=Citation bot,OAbot}}
|image_flag = Flag of Japan.svg
{{Infobox country
|image_coat = Imperial Seal of Japan.svg
| conventional_long_name = Japan
|symbol_type = Imperial Seal
|image_map = LocationMapJapan.png | common_name = Japan
| native_name = {{native name|ja|日本国|italics=off}}<br />{{resize|90%|{{transliteration|ja|Nihon-koku}} or {{transliteration|ja|Nippon-koku}}}}
|national_anthem = '']''{{spaces|2}}(君が代)<small><br/>''Imperial Reign''</small>
|official_languages = ] | image_flag = Flag of Japan.svg
|capital = ]<sup>1</sup> | alt_flag = Centered deep red circle on a white rectangle
| image_coat = Imperial Seal of Japan.svg
|latd=35 |latm=41 |latNS=N |longd=139 |longm=46 |longEW=E
| alt_coat = Golden circle subdivided by golden wedges with rounded outer edges and thin black outlines
|largest_city = capital
| symbol_type = ]{{efn|The Government of Japan uses a ].}}
|government_type = ]
| other_symbol = {{lang|ja|大日本國璽}} ({{transliteration|ja|Dai Nihon Kokuji}})<br>"National Seal of Greater Japan"{{parabr}}]
|leader_title1 = ]
| other_symbol_type = ]:
|leader_name1 = ]
| national_anthem = <br>{{lang|ja|君が代}} ("{{transliteration|ja|]}}")<br />"His Imperial Majesty's Reign"{{parabr}}{{center|]}}
|leader_title2 = ]
| image_map = Japan (orthographic projection).svg
|leader_name2 = ] ]
|area_rank = 62nd | alt_map = Projection of Asia with Japan's Area colored green
|area_magnitude = 1 E11 | map_caption = {{Legend|#336830|Location of Japan}}
{{Legend|#61E760|]}}
|area = 377,873
|areami² = 145,883 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | capital = ]
|percent_water = 0.8 | coordinates = {{Coord|35|41|N|139|46|E|type:city}}
|population_estimate = 128,085,000 | largest_city = capital
| national_languages = ] (''de facto'')
|population_estimate_year = 2005
| regional_languages = ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewallen |first1=Ann-Elise |title=Indigenous at last! Ainu Grassroots Organizing and the Indigenous Peoples Summit in Ainu Mosir |url=https://apjjf.org/-ann-elise-lewallen/2971/article.html |work=The Asia Pacific Journal (Japan Focus) |issue=11 |date=November 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023122729/https://apjjf.org/-ann-elise-lewallen/2971/article.html |archivedate= October 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|population_estimate_rank = 10th
|last=Martin |first=Kylie
|population_census = 127,333,002
|date=2011
|population_census_year = 2004
|title=Aynu itak: On the Road to Ainu Language Revitalization
|population_density = 337
|journal=Media and Communication Studies
|population_densitymi² = 873 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|script-journal=ja:メディア·コミュニケーション研究
|population_density_rank = 30th
|volume=60
|GDP_PPP_year = 2006
|pages=57–93
|GDP_PPP = $4.220 ]<sup>2</sup>
|url=https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/47031/1/MSC60_005.pdf
|GDP_PPP_rank = 3rd
|url-status=live
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $33,100<sup>2</sup>
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421225339/https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/47031/1/MSC60_005.pdf
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 12th
|archivedate=April 21, 2015
|GDP_nominal = $4.911 ]<sup>2</sup>
}}</ref>
|GDP_nominal_rank = 2nd
| languages_type = Unrecognized regional languages
|GDP_nominal_year = 2006
| languages = {{nowrap|]}}<br/>]
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $38,341
| languages_sub = yes
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 14th
| government_type = Unitary ]
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = ] | leader_title1 = ]
| leader_name1 = ]
|established_date1 = ], 660&nbsp;]<sup>3</sup>
|established_event2 = ] | leader_title2 = ]
|established_date2 = ] ] | leader_name2 = ]
|established_event3 = ] | legislature = ]
|established_date3 = ] ] | upper_house = ]
|established_event4 = ] | lower_house = ]
| sovereignty_type = ]<!--if necessary, discuss on talk page to determine what events are relevant here before editing-->
|established_date4 = <br/>] ]
| established_event1 = ]
|HDI_year = 2004
| established_date1 = November 29, 1890
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.949
| established_event2 = {{nowrap|]}}
|HDI_rank = 7th
| established_date2 = May 3, 1947
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|currency = ] (International ¥) | area_km2 = 377,975
| area_footnote = <ref name="area-2019">{{cite web|script-title=ja:令和元年全国都道府県市区町村別面積調 (10月1日時点)|url=https://www.gsi.go.jp/KOKUJYOHO/MENCHO201910-index.html|trans-title=Reiwa 1 nationwide area survey by prefectures and municipalities (as of October 1)
<br />] (Japanese 円)
|publisher=]|language=ja|date=December 26, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415123703/https://www.gsi.go.jp/KOKUJYOHO/MENCHO201910-index.html|archivedate=April 15, 2020|url-status=dead }}</ref>
|currency_code = JPY
| percent_water = 1.4<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|accessdate=October 11, 2020|publisher=OECD|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|url-status=live}}</ref>
|country_code = JPN
|time_zone = ] | area_rank = 62nd<!-- Area rank should match ] -->
| population_census = {{DecreaseNeutral}} 126,146,099<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.e-stat.go.jp/en/dbview?sid=0003445154|title=2020 Population Census: population by sex, age (single years), month of birth and all nationality or Japanese|accessdate=July 7, 2024|publisher=]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707224705/https://www.e-stat.go.jp/en/dbview?sid=0003445154|archivedate=July 7, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
|utc_offset = +9
| population_census_rank =
|time_zone_DST = not observed
| population_census_year = 2020
|utc_offset_DST =
| population_estimate = {{DecreaseNeutral}} 123,970,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population estimates by age (five-year groups) and sex |url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html |accessdate=February 20, 2024 |publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan |archive-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405030144/https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|cctld = ]
| population_estimate_year = March 1, 2024
|calling_code = 81
| population_estimate_rank = 11th
|ISO_3166-1_alpha2 = JP
| population_density_km2 = 330<!-- Per ], 125,416,877 / 377,975 = 330.29 -->
|ISO_3166-1_alpha3 = JPN
| population_density_rank = 44th
|ISO_3166-1_numeric = 392
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $6.572 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.JP">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=158,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Japan) |publisher=] |website=www.imf.org |date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>
|sport_code = JPN
|vehicle_code = J | GDP_PPP_year = 2024
| GDP_PPP_rank = 5th
|footnote1 = ] is the largest incorporated city.
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $53,059<ref name="IMFWEO.JP" />
|footnote2 = {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#Econ |title=World Factbook; Japan - Economy |publisher=] |date=] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 34th
|footnote3 = Japan was founded on this date by the legendary ], first emperor of Japan; it is seen as largely symbolic.
| GDP_nominal = {{decrease}} $4.070 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.JP" />
| GDP_nominal_year = 2024
| GDP_nominal_rank = 4th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{decrease}} $32,859<ref name="IMFWEO.JP" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 30th
| Gini = 33.4<!-- Number only. -->
| Gini_year = 2018
| Gini_change = decrease<!-- Increase/decrease/steady. -->
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.oecd.org/inequality/income-inequality.htm|title=Inequality – Income inequality |publisher=]|accessdate=July 25, 2021|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701171540/https://data.oecd.org/inequality/income-inequality.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| HDI = 0.920<!-- Number only, between 0 and 1. -->
| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year. -->
| HDI_change = increase<!-- Increase/decrease/steady. -->
| HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024 |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 24th
| currency = ] (])
| time_zone = ]
| utc_offset = +09:00
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = ]
| cctld = ]
| official_website = <!----- Do not add www.japan.go.jp – this article is about the country, not the government. ----->
| demonym = Japanese
| today =
}} }}
'''Japan'''{{efn|{{langx|ja|日本}}, {{transliteration|ja|Nihon}} {{IPA|ja|ɲihoꜜɴ||ja-nihon(日本).ogg}} or {{transliteration|ja|Nippon}} {{IPA|ja|ɲippoꜜɴ||ja-nippon(日本).ogg}}, formally {{lang|ja|日本国}}, ''{{transliteration|ja|Nihon-koku}}'' or ''{{transliteration|ja|Nippon-koku}}''. In Japanese, the name of the country as it appears on official documents, including ], is {{lang|ja|日本国}}, meaning "State of Japan". The short name {{lang|ja|日本}} is also often used officially. In English, the official name of the country is simply "Japan".<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Names of Member States (UNTERM)|url=https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/Country%20Names%20UNTERM3/$FILE/UNTERM%20-%20EFSRCA.pdf|publisher=UN Protocol and Liaison Service|accessdate=May 21, 2020|archivedate=June 5, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605193554/https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/Country%20Names%20UNTERM3/$FILE/UNTERM%20-%20EFSRCA.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group=nb}} is an ] in ]. Located in the ] off the northeast coast of the ], it is bordered on the west by the ] and extends from the ] in the north to the ] in the south. The ] consists of four major islands—], ], ], and ]—and ], covering {{convert|377,975|km2|mi2}}. Japan has a population of nearly 124 million as of 2024, making it the ].
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The ] and ] is ]; the ] is the ] in the world, with more than 37 million inhabitants as of 2024. Japan is divided into 47 ] and ]. About three-quarters of ] is mountainous and heavily forested, concentrating ] and ] along its eastern ]. The country sits on the Pacific ], making its islands prone to destructive ] and ].
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'''{{Audio|Ja-nippon_nihonkoku.ogg|Japan}}''' (日本 ''Nihon'' or ''Nippon''<sup>]</sup></span>, officially 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'' or ''Nippon-koku'') is an ] in ]. Located in the ], it lies to the east of ], ], and ], stretching from the ] in the north to the ] in the south. The ] that make up ] mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun". ] and largest city is ].
The first known habitation of the archipelago dates to the ], with the beginning ] dating to {{Circa|36,000 BC}}. Between the fourth and sixth centuries, its kingdoms were united under ] in ], and later ]. From the 12th century, actual power was held by military dictators ({{transliteration|ja|]}}) and feudal lords ({{transliteration|ja|]}}), and enforced by warrior nobility ('']''). After rule by the ] and ] and ], Japan was unified in 1600 by the ], which implemented ]. In 1853, ] forced Japan to ], which led to the ] and the ] in 1868. In the ], the ] pursued rapid ] and ], as well as ] and ]. In 1937, Japan ], and in 1941 ] and European colonial powers, entering ] as an ]. After suffering defeat in the ] and ], Japan ] in 1945 and ]. After the war, the country underwent ] and became a ] of the United States, although ].

Japan is a ] with a ] legislature, the ]. A ] and the only Asian member of the ], Japan has constitutionally ], but maintains ]. A ] with one of the world's ], Japan ] and the ], ], and ]. It has one of the world's ], though it is undergoing ]. ] is well known around the world, including ], ], ], ], and ], which includes prominent ], ], and ] industries.
{{TOClimit|3}}


==Etymology==
Japan comprises over three thousand islands, the largest of which are ], ], ] and ]. Most of the islands are ]ous, many ]; for example, Japan’s highest peak, ], is a volcano. Japan has the world's ], with about 128&nbsp;million people. The ], which includes ] and several surrounding ], is the ] in the world, with over 30 million residents.
{{Main|Names of Japan}}


The name for Japan in ] is written using the ] {{nihongo2|日本}} and is pronounced {{transliteration|ja|Nihon}} or {{transliteration|ja|Nippon}}.<ref name="schreiber">{{cite web|last1=Schreiber|first1=Mark|title=You say 'Nihon', I say 'Nippon', or let's call the whole thing 'Japan'?|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/11/26/language/nihon-nippon-japan/|website=]|date=November 26, 2019|archivedate=October 27, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027120630/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/11/26/language/nihon-nippon-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref> Before {{nihongo2|日本}} was adopted in the early 8th century, the country was known in China as {{transliteration|zh|]}} ({{lang|zh|倭}}, changed in Japan around 757 to {{Nihongo2|和}}) and in Japan by the ] {{transliteration|ja|]}}.<ref name="carr">{{cite journal|last1=Carr|first1=Michael|title=Wa Wa Lexicography|journal=International Journal of Lexicography|date=March 1992|volume=5|issue=1|pages=1–31|doi=10.1093/ijl/5.1.1|url=https://academic.oup.com/ijl/article/5/1/1/950449|url-access=subscription}}</ref> {{transliteration|ja|Nippon}}, the original ] of the characters, is favored for official uses, including on ] and postage stamps.<ref name="schreiber" /> {{transliteration|ja|Nihon}} is typically used in everyday speech and reflects shifts in ] during the ].<ref name="carr" /> The characters {{nihongo2|日本}} mean "sun origin",<ref name="schreiber" /> which is the source of the popular Western ] "Land of the Rising Sun".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Emergence of Japanese Kingship|author1-link=Joan R. Piggott|first=Joan R.|last=Piggott|year=1997|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-2832-4|pages=143–144|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BruaJSZmjHcC}}</ref>
] research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the ] period. The first written mention of Japan begins with brief appearances in ] texts from the first century&nbsp;AD. 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 ] in 1947, Japan has maintained a ] ] with an ] and an elected parliament, the ].


The name "Japan" is based on ] or ] pronunciations of {{nihongo2|日本}} and was introduced to European languages through early trade.<ref name=Mancall /> In the 13th century, ] recorded the ] Chinese pronunciation of the characters {{lang|zh|日本國}} as {{transliteration|cmn|Cipangu}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2008/07/27/general/cipangus-landlocked-isles/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825151317/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2008/07/27/general/cipangus-landlocked-isles|archivedate=August 25, 2018|title=Cipangu's landlocked isles|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=July 27, 2008|last1=Hoffman|first1=Michael }}</ref> The old ] name for Japan, {{lang|ms|Japang}} or {{lang|ms|Japun}}, was borrowed from a southern coastal Chinese dialect and encountered by ] traders in ], who brought the word to Europe in the early 16th century.<ref>{{cite book|title=Asia in the Making of Europe|volume=I|page=157|year=2010|publisher=University of Chicago Press|last=Lach|first=Donald}}</ref> The first version of the name in English appears in a book published in 1577, which spelled the name as ''Giapan'' in a translation of a 1565 Portuguese letter.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mancall|first=Peter C.|title=Travel Narratives from the Age of Discovery: an anthology|year=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=156–157|chapter=Of the Ilande of Giapan, 1565}}</ref><ref name=Mancall>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=giZnAgAAQBAJ&pg=PAPA79|title=London: The Selden Map and the Making of a Global City, 1549–1689|first=Robert K.|last=Batchelor|pages=76, 79|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-08079-6|year=2014}}</ref>
A ],<ref>{{cite book |last=Kennedy |first=P. |title=The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers |publisher=] |date=1987 |isbn=0-6797-2019-7}}</ref> Japan is the world's ] by nominal ] and is a member of the ], ] and ].


==History== ==History==
{{Main|History of Japan}}
<!--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. -->
{{For timeline|Timeline of Japanese history}}
{{main|History of Japan}}
The first signs of ] on the ] appeared around ] with the ] culture, characterized by a ] to ] semi-sedentary ] lifestyle of pit dwelling and a rudimentary form of ]. Decorated clay vessels from this period, often with plaited patterns, are some of the oldest surviving examples of ] in the world.<ref>Pottery in Japan:
*"The earliest known pottery comes from Japan, and is dated to about 10,500&nbsp;BC. China and Indo-China follow shortly afterwards." ((1995). "Past Worlds". ''The Times Atlas of Archeology''. p. 100.)
*"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 (June 1998), "Japanese Roots", '']'' '''19''' (6).
*"Japan, however, was the seat of the earliest known development of ceramics." (]. ''The History and Geography of Human Genes''. p. 249. ] 0-691-08750-4.)
*Alternatively, the ]'s notes "Carbon-14 testing of the earliest known shards has yielded a production date of about 10,500&nbsp;BC, but because this date falls outside the known chronology of pottery development elsewhere in the world, such an early date is not generally accepted." Timeline of Art History. ], 2000. Retrieved on ].</ref>


===Prehistoric to classical history===
The ], starting around the third century&nbsp;BC, introduced new practices, such as wet-rice farming, ] and ]-making and a new style of pottery, brought by migrants from ] or ]. 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&nbsp;BC-c.AD&nbsp;250) |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |date=2006 | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last= Diamond |first= Jared |title= Japanese Roots | journal = Discover Magazine Vol. 19 No. 6 | date =June 1998}}</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=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>
]ary {{Nihongo|]|神武天皇|Jinmu-tennō}}]]
Modern humans arrived in Japan around 38,000 years ago (~36,000 BC), marking the beginning of the ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kondo |first=Y. |last2=Takeshita |first2=Y. |last3=Watanabe |first3=T. |last4=Seki |first4=M. |last5=Nojiri-ko Excavation Research Group |date=April 2018 |title=Geology and Quaternary environments of the Tategahana Paleolithic site in Nojiri-ko (Lake Nojiri), Nagano, central Japan |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1040618217300307 |journal=Quaternary International |language=en |volume=471 |pages=385–395 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2017.12.012}}</ref> This was followed from around 14,500&nbsp;BC (the start of the ]) by a ] to ] semi-sedentary ] culture characterized by ] and rudimentary agriculture.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habu |first1=Junko |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vGnAbTyTynsC&pg=PA43 |title=Ancient Jomon of Japan |publisher=] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-521-77670-7 |page=43}}</ref> ] from the period are among the oldest surviving examples of pottery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jomo/hd_jomo.htm|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|title=Jōmon Culture (ca. 10,500–ca. 300 B.C.)|accessdate=August 28, 2020|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213222716/https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jomo/hd_jomo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The ]-speaking ] entered the archipelago from the Korean Peninsula,<ref>{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |date=May 4, 2011 |title=Finding on Dialects Casts New Light on the Origins of the Japanese People |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/science/04language.html |url-access=limited |archivedate=March 31, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331175152/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/science/04language.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | surname = Vovin | given = Alexander | author-link = Alexander Vovin | chapter = Origins of the Japanese Language | doi = 10.1093/acrefore/9780199384655.013.277 | doi-access = free | title = Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2017 | isbn = 978-0-19-938465-5}}</ref><ref name="Yayoi culture" /> intermingling with the ];<ref name="Yayoi culture">{{cite journal |last1= Watanabe |first1=Yusuke |last2=Naka |first2=Izumi |last3= Khor |first3=Seik-Soon |last4=Sawai |first4=Hiromi |last5=Hitomi |first5=Yuki |last6=Tokunaga |first6=Katsushi |last7=Ohashi |first7= Jun |title=Analysis of whole Y-chromosome sequences reveals the Japanese population history in the Jomon period |journal= Scientific Reports |date=June 17, 2019 |volume=9 |issue=1 |page =8556 |doi=10.1038/s41598-019-44473-z |doi-access=free }}</ref> the ] saw the introduction of practices including ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Road of rice plant|url=http://www.kahaku.go.jp/special/past/japanese/ipix/5/5-25.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430010530/http://www.kahaku.go.jp/special/past/japanese/ipix/5/5-25.html|archivedate=April 30, 2011|publisher=]|accessdate=January 15, 2011}}</ref> a new ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Kofun Period (ca. 300–710)|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kofu/hd_kofu.htm|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|accessdate=August 28, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221210151/https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kofu/hd_kofu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and metallurgy from China and Korea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yayoi Culture (ca. 300 B.C.–300 A.D.)|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/yayo/hd_yayo.htm|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|accessdate=August 28, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104161858/https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/yayo/hd_yayo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> According to legend, ] (descendant of ]) founded ] in central Japan in 660 BC, beginning ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hendry |first=Joy |url=https://archive.org/details/understandingjap00hend |title=Understanding Japanese Society |publisher=Routledge |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-136-27918-8 |page=9 |url-access=registration}}</ref>


Japan first appears in written history in the Chinese '']'', completed in 111 AD. ] was introduced to Japan from ] (a Korean kingdom) in 552, but the development of ] was primarily influenced by China.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Delmer M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A3_6lp8IOK8C&pg=PA141 |title=The Cambridge History of Japan |last2=Hall |first2=John Whitney |last3=Jansen |first3=Marius B. |last4=Shively |first4=Donald H. |last5=Twitchett |first5=Denis |publisher=] |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-521-22352-2 |volume=1 |pages=140–149, 275}}</ref> Despite early resistance, Buddhism was promoted by the ruling class, including figures like ], and gained widespread acceptance beginning in the ] (592–710).<ref>{{cite book |last=Beasley |first=William Gerald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AivK7yMICgC&pg=PA42 |title=The Japanese Experience: A Short History of Japan |publisher=University of California Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-520-22560-2 |page=42}}</ref>
] period vessel (3000 to 2000&nbsp;BC).]]
] at ], ], cast in 752.]]
The Japanese first appear in written history in China’s '']''. According to the Chinese '']'', the most powerful kingdom on the archipelago during the third century was called ].


In 645, the government led by ] and ] devised and implemented the far-reaching ]s. The Reform began with land reform, based on Confucian ideas and ] from ].<ref name="Totman 2005">{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|page=72|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref> It nationalized all land in Japan, to be ] among cultivators, and ordered the compilation of a household registry as the basis for a new system of taxation.<ref name="Sansom" /> The true aim of the reforms was to bring about greater centralization and to enhance the power of the imperial court, which was also based on the governmental structure of China. Envoys and students were dispatched to China to learn about Chinese writing, politics, art, and religion.<ref name = "Totman 2005"/> The ] of 672, a bloody conflict between ] and his nephew ], became a major catalyst for further administrative reforms.<ref name="ritsuryo" /> These reforms culminated with the promulgation of the ], which consolidated existing statutes and established the structure of the central and subordinate local governments.<ref name="Sansom">{{cite book|first=George|last=Sansom|year=1961|title=A History of Japan: 1334–1615|publisher=Stanford University Press|pages=57, 68|isbn=978-0-8047-0525-7|url={{Google books|0syC6L77dpAC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}</ref> These legal reforms created the {{transliteration|ja|]}} state, a system of Chinese-style centralized government that remained in place for half a millennium.<ref name="ritsuryo">{{cite book|first=Conrad|last=Totman|year=2002|title=A History of Japan|publisher=Blackwell|pages=107–108|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref>
Japan was first introduced to ] through ], but the subsequent development of ] and Buddhist sculpture was primarily influenced by ].<ref>{{cite book |editor=Delmer M. Brown (ed.) |year=1993 |title=The Cambridge History of Japan |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=140-149}}</ref> Despite early resistance, ] was promoted by the ruling class and eventually gained growing acceptance since the ].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Japanese Experience: A Short History of Japan |author=William Gerald Beasley |publisher=University of California Press |year=1999 |url=http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0520225600&id=9AivK7yMICgC&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=Soga+Buddhism+intitle:History+intitle:of+intitle:Japan&sig=V65JQ4OzTFCopEoFVb8DWh5BD4Q#PPA42,M1 |pages=42 |isbn=0520225600 |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>


The ] (710–784) marked the emergence of a Japanese state centered on the Imperial Court in ] (modern ]). The period is characterized by the appearance of a nascent ] with the completion of the {{transliteration|ja|]}} (712) and {{transliteration|ja|]}} (720), as well as the development of Buddhist-inspired artwork and ].<ref>{{cite book|first=Conrad|last=Totman|year=2002|title=A History of Japan|publisher=Blackwell|pages=64–79|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref><ref name="Courtiers">{{cite book |author=Henshall, Kenneth |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p5OL-k7A4mAC&pg=PT40 |title=A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-230-36918-4 |pages=24–52 |chapter=Of Courtiers and Warriors: Early and Medieval History (710–1600)}}</ref> A ] is believed to have killed as much as one-third of Japan's population.<ref name="Courtiers" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Hays |first=J.N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GyE8Qt-kS1kC&pg=PA31 |title=Epidemics and pandemics: their impacts on human history |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-85109-658-9 |page=31}}</ref> In 784, ] moved the capital, settling on ] (modern-day ]) in 794.<ref name="Courtiers" /> This marked the beginning of the ] (794–1185), during which a distinctly indigenous Japanese culture emerged. ]'s '']'' and the lyrics of Japan's national anthem {{transliteration|ja|"]"}} were written during this time.<ref>{{cite book|first=Conrad|last=Totman|year=2002|title=A History of Japan|publisher=Blackwell|pages=79–87, 122–123|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref>
The ] of the eighth century marked the first emergence of a strong central Japanese state, centered around an imperial court in the city of ], or modern day ]. In addition to the continuing adoption of Chinese administrative practices, the ] is characterized by the appearance of a nascent written literature with the completion of the massive chronicles '']'' (]) and '']'' (]).<ref>{{cite book |author=Conrad Totman |year=2002 |title=A History of Japan |publisher=Blackwell |pages=64-79}}</ref>


===Feudal era===
In 784, ] moved the capital to ] for a brief ten-year period, before relocating it to Heian-kyō (modern day ]) in 794, where it remained for more than a millennium.<ref>{{cite book |author=Conrad Totman |year=2002 |title=A History of Japan |publisher=Blackwell |pages=87-79}}</ref> This marked the beginning of the ], during which time a distinctly indigenous Japanese culture emerged, noted for its ], ], and ]. ]'s '']'' and the lyrics of modern Japan's national anthem, '']'' were written during this time.<ref>{{cite book |author=Conrad Totman |year=2002 |title=A History of Japan |publisher=Blackwell |pages=122-123}}</ref>
] boarding a Mongol vessel during the ], depicted in the {{transliteration|ja|]}}, 1293]]
], ] and ].]]


Japan's ] era was characterized by the emergence of a ruling class of warriors, the ]. In 1185, following the defeat of the rival ], ] was appointed ] and established a base of power in ]. After Yoritomo's death, the ] came to rule as regents for the shoguns. ] Buddhism was introduced from China in the ] (1185&ndash;1333) and became popular among the samurai class. The ] managed to repel ] in 1274 and 1281, aided by a storm that the Japanese interpreted as a ], or Divine Wind. The Kamakura shogunate was eventually overthrown by ], who was soon himself defeated by ] in 1336.<ref>{{cite book |author=] |year=1961 |title=A History of Japan: 1334-1615 |publisher=Stanford |pages=42}}</ref> The succeeding ] failed to control the feudal warlords ('']''), and a civil war erupted (the ]).<ref>{{cite book |author=] |year=1961 |title=A History of Japan: 1334-1615 |publisher=Stanford |pages=217}}</ref> Japan's feudal era was characterized by the emergence and dominance of a ruling class of warriors, the ].<ref name="Leibo2015">{{cite book|first=Steven A.|last=Leibo|title=East and Southeast Asia 2015–2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1yX-CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA99|year=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4758-1875-8|pages=99–104}}</ref> In 1185, following the defeat of the ] by the ] in the ], samurai ] established a ] at ].<ref>{{cite book|title=World Monarchies and Dynasties|last=Middleton|first=John|year=2015|page=616|publisher=Routledge}}</ref> After Yoritomo's death, the ] came to power as regents for the {{transliteration|ja|shōgun}}.<ref name="Courtiers" /> The ] school of Buddhism was introduced from China in the ] (1185–1333) and became popular among the samurai class.<ref>{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=106–112|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref> The ] repelled ] in 1274 and 1281 but was eventually ] by ].<ref name="Courtiers" /> Go-Daigo was defeated by ] in 1336, beginning the ] (1336–1573).<ref name="Shirane2012a">{{cite book|first=Haruo|last=Shirane|title=Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E8qq6zhhM5kC&pg=PA409|year=2012|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-15730-8|page=409}}</ref> The succeeding ] failed to control the feudal warlords ({{transliteration|ja|daimyō}}) and a ], opening the century-long ] ("Warring States").<ref>{{cite book|first=George|last=Sansom|year=1961|title=A History of Japan: 1334–1615|publisher=Stanford University Press|pages=42, 217|isbn=978-0-8047-0525-7|url={{Google books|0syC6L77dpAC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}</ref>
During the sixteenth century, traders and ] from ] reached Japan for the first time, initiating the '']'' ("southern barbarian") period of active commercial and cultural exchange between Japan and the West.


During the 16th century, Portuguese traders and ] missionaries reached Japan for the first time, initiating direct ] and ] exchange between Japan and the West.<ref name="Courtiers" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Tanegashima|year=2005|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=0-203-47957-2|last=Lidin|first=Olof}}</ref> ] used European technology and firearms to conquer many other {{transliteration|ja|daimyō}};<ref>{{cite journal|title=The impact of firearms on Japanese warfare, 1543–98|last=Brown|first=Delmer|journal=The Far Eastern Quarterly|volume=7|issue=3|date=May 1948|doi=10.2307/2048846|pages=236–253}}</ref> his consolidation of power began what was known as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collections.dma.org/essay/dAg2pDvx|publisher=Dallas Museum of Art|title=Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573–1603)|accessdate=October 3, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106110854/https://collections.dma.org/essay/dAg2pDvx|url-status=live}}</ref> After ] in 1582, his successor, ], unified the nation in the early 1590s and launched ].<ref name="Courtiers" />
] conquered numerous other daimyo by using European technology and ] and had almost unified the nation when he was assassinated in 1582. ] succeeded Nobunaga and united the nation in 1590. Hideyoshi ], but following several defeats by ]n and ] ] forces and Hideyoshi's death, Japanese troops were withdrawn in 1598.<ref>{{cite book |author=] |year=2002 |title=Samurai Invasion: Japan's Korean War |publisher=Cassel |pages=227}}</ref>


] served as ] for Hideyoshi's son ] and used his position to gain political and military support.<ref name="Turnbull2011">{{cite book|last=Turnbull|first=Stephen|title=Toyotomi Hideyoshi|year=2011|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84603-960-7|page=61|url={{Google books|x8govgAACAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref> When open war broke out, Ieyasu defeated rival clans in the ] in 1600. He was appointed {{transliteration|ja|shōgun}} by ] in 1603 and established the ] at ] (modern Tokyo).<ref name="Closed">{{cite book|chapter=The Closed Country: the Tokugawa Period (1600–1868)|pages=53–74|author=Henshall, Kenneth|title=A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower|isbn=978-0-230-36918-4|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2012}}</ref> The shogunate enacted measures including {{transliteration|ja|]}}, as a code of conduct to control the autonomous {{transliteration|ja|daimyō}},<ref>{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=142–143|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref> and in 1639 the isolationist {{transliteration|ja|]}} ("closed country") policy that spanned the two and a half centuries of tenuous political unity known as the ] (1603–1868).<ref name="Closed" /><ref>{{cite journal|last=Toby|first=Ronald P.|title=Reopening the Question of Sakoku: Diplomacy in the Legitimation of the Tokugawa Bakufu|journal=Journal of Japanese Studies|year=1977|volume=3|issue=2|pages=323–363|doi=10.2307/132115|jstor=132115}}</ref> Modern Japan's economic growth began in this period, resulting in ] and water transportation routes, as well as financial instruments such as ]s, banking and insurance of the ].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Origins of Japanese Trade Supremacy|author=Howe, Christopher|publisher=Hurst & Company|year=1996|isbn=978-1-85065-538-1|pages=58ff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkCRcv0iXn0C}}</ref> The study of Western sciences ({{transliteration|ja|]}}) continued through contact with the Dutch enclave in ].<ref name="Closed" /> The Edo period gave rise to {{transliteration|ja|]}} ("national studies"), the study of Japan by the Japanese.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ohtsu|first1=M.|last2=Imanari|first2=Tomio|title=Japanese National Values and Confucianism|journal=Japanese Economy|year=1999|volume=27|issue=2|pages=45–59|doi=10.2753/JES1097-203X270245}}</ref>
]s (1634), which were used for trade throughout Asia.]]
] clan during the ], circa 1867.]]]ing of ].]]
After Hideyoshi's death, ] utilized his position as regent for Hideyoshi's son ] to gain political and military support. When open war broke out, he defeated rival clans in the ] in 1600. Ieyasu was appointed ] in 1603 and established the ] at ] (modern ]). The ] enacted a variety of measures to control the ], among them the '']'' policy. In 1639, the shogunate began the isolationist '']'' ("closed country") policy that spanned the two and a half centuries of tenuous political unity known as the ]. The study of Western sciences, known as '']'', continued during this period through contacts with the ] enclave at ] in ]. The Edo period also gave rise to '']'', 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 | publisher = Washington State University | date=] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>


===Modern era===
On ], ], ] and the "]" of the ] forced the opening of Japan to the outside world with the ]. The ] of 1867&ndash;1868 led to the resignation of the shogunate, and the ] established a government centered around the emperor. Adopting Western political, judicial and military institutions, a ] modeled after the ] was introduced, with ] as the first Prime Minister in 1882. ] reforms transformed the ] into an ] ] that embarked on a number of military conflicts to increase access to natural resources. After victories in the ] (1894&ndash;1895) and the ] (1904&ndash;1905), Japan gained control of ], ] and the southern half of ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jearnol2/MeijiRestoration/imperial_japan.htm |title=Japan: The Making of a World Superpower (Imperial Japan) |author=Jesse Arnold | publisher = vt.edu/users/jearnol2 | accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320


| image1 = Meiji tenno1.jpg
The early twentieth century saw a brief period of "]" overshadowed by the rise of ] and ]. ] enabled Japan, which joined the side of the victorious Allies, to expand its influence and territorial holdings. Japan continued its expansionist policy by occupying ] in 1931. As a result of international condemnation for this occupation, Japan resigned from the ] two years later. In 1936, Japan signed the ] with ], joining the ] in 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.friesian.com/pearl.htm |title= The Pearl Harbor Strike Force |author= Kelley L. Ross | publisher = friesian.com |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>
| alt1 =
| caption1 = {{nihongo|]|明治天皇|Meiji-tennō}}; 1852–1912


| image2 = Japanese Empire (orthographic projection).svg
In 1937, Japan invaded other parts of ], precipitating the ] (1937–1945), after which the ] placed an oil embargo on Japan.<ref>{{cite book |author=Roland H. Worth, Jr. |title=No Choice But War: the United States Embargo Against Japan and the Eruption of War in the Pacific |publisher=McFarland |date=1995 |isbn=0-7864-0141-9}}</ref>
| alt2 =
On ], ], Japan ] in ] and declared war on the ], the ] and the ]. This act brought the United States into ]. After the ]s of ] and ] in 1945, along with the Soviet Union joining the war against it, Japan agreed to an ] on ] (]).<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 war cost Japan millions of lives and left much of the country's industry and infrastructure destroyed. The ], was convened by the ] (on ], ]) to prosecute Japanese leaders for ] such as the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/nankingatrocities/Tribunals/imtfe_01.htm |title=The Nanking Atrocities: The Postwar Judgment |publisher=University of Missouri-Columbia |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>
| caption2 = The ] and its influence, 1942
}}
The ] sent Commodore ] to force the opening of Japan to the outside world. Arriving at ] with four "]" in July 1853, the ] resulted in the March 1854 ].<ref name="Closed" /> Subsequent similar treaties with other Western countries brought economic and political crises.<ref name="Closed" /> The resignation of the {{transliteration|ja|shōgun}} led to the ] and the establishment of a ] nominally unified under the emperor (the ]).<ref>{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=289–296|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref> Adopting Western political, judicial, and military institutions, the ] organized the ], introduced the ] (November 29, 1890), and assembled the ].<ref name=modernnation>{{cite book|chapter=Building a Modern Nation: the Meiji Period (1868–1912)|pages=75–107|author=Henshall, Kenneth|title=A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower|isbn=978-0-230-36918-4|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2012}}</ref> During the ] (1868–1912), the ] emerged as the most developed state in ] and as an industrialized world power that pursued military conflict to expand its sphere of influence.<ref>{{cite book|last=McCargo|first=Duncan|title=Contemporary Japan|year=2000|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-71000-5|pages=18–19|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8au8QgAACAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Political Economy of Growth|last=Baran|first=Paul|publisher=Monthly Review Press|year=1962|isbn=|page=160}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=312–314|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_a_QgAACAAJ}}</ref> After victories in the ] (1894–1895) and the ] (1904–1905), Japan gained control of Taiwan, Korea and the southern half of ],<ref>{{cite book|last=Matsusaka|first=Y. Tak|title=Companion to Japanese History|year=2009|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-1690-9|pages=224–241|editor=Tsutsui, William M.|chapter=The Japanese Empire}}</ref><ref name=modernnation/> and annexed Korea in 1910.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Japanese Colonial Ideology In Korea (1905&ndash;1945)|journal=The Yale Review of International Studies |url=https://yris.yira.org/essays/japanese-colonial-ideology-in-korea-1905-1945/S|author=Yi Wei}}</ref> The Japanese population doubled from 35 million in 1873 to 70 million by 1935, with a significant shift to urbanization.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hiroshi|first=Shimizu|title=Japan and Singapore in the world economy: Japan's economic advance into Singapore, 1870–1965|year=1999|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-19236-1|author2=Hitoshi, Hirakawa|page=17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7k0F8YoZ6P0C}}</ref><ref name=excesses>{{cite book|chapter=The Excesses of Ambition: the Pacific War and its Lead-Up|pages=108–141|author=Henshall, Kenneth|title=A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower|isbn=978-0-230-36918-4|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2012}}</ref>


The early 20th century saw a period of ] (1912–1926) overshadowed by increasing ] and ].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Pursuit of Power in Modern Japan 1825–1995|chapter=Taisho Democracy and the First World War|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198205890.001.0001|last=Tsuzuki|first=Chushichi|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-820589-0}}</ref><ref name=ramesh>{{cite book|chapter=The Taisho Period (1912–1926): Transition from Democracy to a Military Economy|title=China's Economic Rise|last=Ramesh|first=S|pages=173–209|isbn=978-3-030-49811-5|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2020}}</ref> ] allowed Japan, which joined the side of the victorious ], to capture ] in the ] and China in ].<ref name=ramesh/> The 1920s saw a political shift towards ], a period of lawlessness following the 1923 ], the passing of ], and a series of ].<ref name=excesses/><ref>{{cite book|title=Nationalism Today: Extreme Political Movements around the World|page=20|editor=Burnett, M. Troy|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=268|title=Embracing 'Asia' in China and Japan|year=2018|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|last=Weber|first=Torsten}}</ref> This process accelerated during the 1930s, spawning several radical nationalist groups that shared a hostility to liberal democracy and a dedication to expansion in Asia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Young |first=Louise |chapter=The Breakdown in Democracy in 1930s Japan |date=2024 |title=When Democracy Breaks |pages=108–141 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-776078-3}}</ref> In 1931, Japan ], which led to the establishment of ] of ] in 1932; following ], it resigned from the ] in 1933.<ref name="Inc1945">{{cite magazine|title=The Japanese Nation: It has a history of feudalism, nationalism, war and now defeat|magazine=LIFE|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0kEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA109|date=September 17, 1945|volume=19|issue=12|pages=109–111}}</ref> In 1936, Japan signed the ] with ]; the 1940 ] made it one of the ].<ref name=excesses/>
In 1947, Japan adopted a new ] ] emphasizing ] practices. Official ] lasted until 1952<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070306f3.html |title='52 coup plot bid to rearm Japan: CIA |author=Joseph Coleman| date=]| publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-03}}</ref> and Japan was granted membership in the ] in 1956. Under a subsequent program of aggressive industrial development aided by the US, Japan achieved ] 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 ]. Positive growth in the early twenty-first century has signalled a gradual recovery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5178822.stm |title=Japan scraps zero interest rates |publisher=] |date=] |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>
]
The Empire of Japan invaded other parts of China in 1937, precipitating the ] (1937–1945).<ref name="Paine2012">{{cite book|first=S. C. M.|last=Paine|title=The Wars for Asia, 1911–1949|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bAYgAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA123|year=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-56087-0|pages=123–125}}</ref> In 1940, the Empire ], after which the United States placed an oil embargo on Japan.<ref name=excesses/><ref>{{cite book| first=Roland H. Jr. |last=Worth|title=No Choice But War: the United States Embargo Against Japan and the Eruption of War in the Pacific|publisher=McFarland|year=1995|pages=56, 86|isbn=978-0-7864-0141-3|url={{Google books|ezBnAAAAMAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}</ref> On December 7–8, 1941, Japanese forces carried out surprise ], as well as on British forces in ], ], and ], among others, beginning ].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Introduction: December 7/8, 1941|last1=Bailey|first1=Beth|last2=Farber|first2=David|pages=1–8|title=Beyond Pearl Harbor: A Pacific History|year=2019|publisher=University Press of Kansas}}</ref> Throughout areas occupied by Japan during the war, numerous abuses were committed against local inhabitants, with many forced into ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Yōko|first=Hayashi|title=Issues Surrounding the Wartime "Comfort Women"|journal=Review of Japanese Culture and Society|year=1999–2000|volume=11/12|issue=Special Issue|pages=54–65|jstor=42800182}}</ref> After ] victories during the next four years, which culminated in the ] and the ] in 1945, Japan agreed to ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pape|first=Robert A.|title=Why Japan Surrendered|journal=International Security|year=1993|volume=18|issue=2|pages=154–201|doi=10.2307/2539100}}</ref> The war cost Japan millions of lives and ], including '']'' parts of Japan such as ], ], ], and the ].<ref name=excesses/> The Allies (led by the United States) repatriated millions of ] from their former colonies and military camps throughout Asia, largely eliminating the ] and its influence over the territories it conquered.<ref>{{cite book|last=Watt|first=Lori|title=When Empire Comes Home: Repatriation and Reintegration in Postwar Japan|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-674-05598-8|pages=1–4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_F3AN6x6AQ8C}}</ref><ref name=phoenix/> The Allies convened the ] to prosecute Japanese leaders except the Emperor<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank|first=Richard|date=August 26, 2020 |title=The Fate of Emperor Hirohito |url=https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/what-happened-to-emperor-hirohito |publisher=The National WWII Museum |archivedate=May 9, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509105645/https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/what-happened-to-emperor-hirohito |url-status=live }}</ref> for ].<ref name=phoenix>{{cite book|chapter=A Phoenix from the Ashes: Postwar Successes and Beyond|pages=142–180|author=Henshall, Kenneth|title=A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower|isbn=978-0-230-36918-4|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2012}}</ref>


In 1947, Japan adopted ] emphasizing liberal democratic practices.<ref name=phoenix/> The ] ended with the ] in 1952,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/03/06/national/52-coup-plot-bid-to-rearm-japan-cia/|title='52 coup plot bid to rearm Japan: CIA|first=Joseph|last=Coleman|date=March 6, 2007|newspaper=The Japan Times|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411091335/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/03/06/national/52-coup-plot-bid-to-rearm-japan-cia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Japan was granted membership in the ] in 1956.<ref name=phoenix/> ] propelled Japan to become the ] in the world;<ref name=phoenix/> this ended in the mid-1990s after the popping of ], beginning the "]".<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/1467-9701.00522|title=The bubble and the lost decade|last1=Saxonhouse|first1=Gary|last2=Stern|first2=Robert|journal=The World Economy|year=2003|pages=267–281|volume=26|issue=3|hdl=2027.42/71597|hdl-access=free}}</ref> In 2011, Japan suffered one of the largest earthquakes in its recorded history - the ] - triggering the ].<ref name="nytimes-tsunami">{{cite news|last1=Fackler|first1=Martin|author1-link=Martin Fackler (journalist)|last2=Drew|first2= Kevin|title=Devastation as Tsunami Crashes Into Japan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12japan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12japan.html |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 11, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On May 1, 2019, after the historic ], his son ] became Emperor, beginning the {{Lang|ja-latn|]}} era.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan's emperor thanks country, prays for peace before abdication|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication|website=Nikkei Asian Review|date=April 30, 2019|archivedate=May 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511172939/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Government and politics==
]. {{speedy-image-c|]}}]]
], ].]]
{{main|Government of Japan|Politics of Japan}}
Japan is a ] where the power of the ] (天皇 tennō, literally "heavenly sovereign") is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the ] as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the ] and other elected members of the ], while sovereignty is vested in the ].<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=] |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> The emperor effectively acts as the ] on diplomatic occasions. ] is the current Emperor of Japan.


==Geography==
Japan's legislative organ is the ], a bicameral ]. The Diet consists of a ], containing 480 seats, elected by popular vote every four years or when dissolved, and a ] of 242 seats, whose popularly-elected members serve six-year terms. There is ] for adults over 20 years of age,<ref name="ciagen"/> with a ] for all elective offices.<ref name="Constitution"/> The ] ] (LDP) has been in power since 1955, except for a short-lived ] formed from opposition parties in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jimin.jp/jimin/english/history/index.html |title=A History of the Liberal Democratic Party |publisher=Liberal Democratic Party of Japan |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> The largest opposition party is the ] ].
{{Main|Geography of Japan|Geology of Japan}}
]
Japan comprises ] extending along the Pacific coast of Asia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/japan-sees-its-number-of-islands-double-after-recount |title=Japan sees its number of islands double after recount |first=Justin |last=McCurry |date=February 16, 2023 |work=The Guardian |archivedate=March 1, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301154105/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/japan-sees-its-number-of-islands-double-after-recount |url-status=live }}</ref> It stretches over {{convert|3000|km|mi|abbr=on|comma=5}} northeast–southwest from the ] to the ].<ref name=water>{{cite web|title = Water Supply in Japan|url = https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health/water_supply/1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126130519/https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health/water_supply/1.html|archivedate = January 26, 2018|publisher = Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare|accessdate = September 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=An Invitation to Japan's Borderlands: At the Geopolitical Edge of the Eurasian Continent|last=Iwashita|first=Akihiro|pages=279–282|doi=10.1080/08865655.2011.686969|year=2011|journal=Journal of Borderlands Studies|volume=26|issue=3}}</ref> The country's five main islands, from north to south, are ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.imic.2012.04.004|title=The development of small islands in Japan: An historical perspective|last=Kuwahara|first=Sueo|year=2012|volume=1|issue=1|journal=Journal of Marine and Island Cultures|pages=38–45|doi-access=free}}</ref> The ], which include Okinawa, are a chain to the south of Kyushu. The ] are south and east of the main islands of Japan. Together they are often known as the ].<ref>{{cite book|last=McCargo|first=Duncan|title=Contemporary Japan|year=2000|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-71000-5|pages=8–11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8au8QgAACAAJ}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, Japan's territory is {{convert|comma=5|377,975.24|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="area-2019" /> Japan has the ] in the world at {{convert|comma=5|29751|km|mi|abbr=on}}. Because of its far-flung outlying islands, ] is the ] in the world, covering {{convert|comma=5|4470000|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name=cia/><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1080/08865655.2011.686972|last=Yamada|first=Yoshihiko|title=Japan's New National Border Strategy and Maritime Security|pages=357–367|year=2011|volume=26|issue=3|journal=Journal of Borderlands Studies}}</ref>


The Japanese archipelago is 67% ] and 14% ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/npr/ncj/section1.html|publisher=Ministry of the Environment|title=Natural environment of Japan: Japanese archipelago|accessdate=August 4, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805032536/https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/npr/ncj/section1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The primarily rugged and mountainous terrain is restricted for habitation.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Shouji|last1=Fujimoto|first2=Takayuki|last2=Mizuno|first3=Takaaki|last3= Ohnishi|first4=Chihiro|last4=Shimizu|first5=Tsutomu|last5=Watanabe|title=Relationship between population density and population movement in inhabitable lands|journal=Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review|year=2017|volume=14|pages=117–130|doi=10.1007/s40844-016-0064-z|doi-access=free}}</ref> Thus the habitable zones, mainly in the coastal areas, have very high population densities: Japan is the 40th ] even without considering that local concentration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statisticstimes.com/demographics/countries-by-population-density.php|website=Statistics Times|title=List of countries by population density|accessdate=October 12, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926222139/http://statisticstimes.com/demographics/countries-by-population-density.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite proceedings|title=Geographic Dependency of Population Distribution|conference=International Conference on Social Modeling and Simulation, plus Econophysics Colloquium 2014 |pages=151–162|first1=Shouji|last1=Fujimoto|first2=Takayuki|last2= Mizuno|first3=Takaaki|last3=Ohnishi|first4=Chihiro|last4=Shimizu|first5=Tsutomu|last5=Watanabe|series=Springer Proceedings in Complexity|year=2015|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-20591-5_14|isbn=978-3-319-20590-8|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20591-5_14}}</ref> Honshu has the highest population density at 450 persons/km<sup>2</sup> (1200/sq mi) {{as of|2010|lc=y}}, while Hokkaido has the lowest density of 64.5 persons/km<sup>2</sup> {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref name="JPCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/daityo/index.html|script-title=ja:総務省|住基ネット|trans-title=Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Resident Registration net|work=soumu.go.jp|accessdate=November 13, 2021|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224144613/https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/daityo/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, approximately 0.5% of Japan's total area is ] ({{transliteration|ja|umetatechi}}).<ref>{{cite journal|first=Yang|last=Hua|title=Legal Regulation of Land Reclamation in China's Coastal Areas|journal=Coastal Management|volume=42|issue=1|year=2014|pages=59–79|doi=10.1080/08920753.2013.865008}}</ref> ] is an ] and the country's largest freshwater lake.<ref name=Tabata2016>{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1002/ece3.2070|title = Phylogeny and historical demography of endemic fishes in Lake Biwa: The ancient lake as a promoter of evolution and diversification of freshwater fishes in western Japan|year = 2016|last1 = Tabata|first1 = Ryoichi|last2 = Kakioka|first2 = Ryo|last3 = Tominaga|first3 = Koji|last4 = Komiya|first4 = Takefumi|last5 = Watanabe|first5 = Katsutoshi|journal = Ecology and Evolution|volume = 6|issue = 8|pages = 2601–2623|pmid = 27066244|pmc = 4798153}}</ref>
The Prime Minister of Japan is the ]. The position is appointed by the ] after being designated by the ] from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the ] to remain in office. The Prime Minister is the head of the ] (the literal translation of his Japanese title is "Prime Minister of the Cabinet") and appoints and dismisses the ], a majority of whom must be Diet members. ] currently serves as the Prime Minister of Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html |title=Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Japan| accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>


Japan is substantially prone to ], ] and ] because of its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.<ref>{{cite web|last=Israel|first=Brett|date=March 14, 2011|title=Japan's Explosive Geology Explained|url=http://www.livescience.com/30226-japan-tectonics-explosive-geology-ring-of-fire-110314.html|website=Live Science|archivedate=August 5, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805085127/https://www.livescience.com/30226-japan-tectonics-explosive-geology-ring-of-fire-110314.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has the ] as measured in the 2016 World Risk Index.<ref name=wri>{{Cite web|title=World Risk Report 2016|url=http://collections.unu.edu/view/UNU:5763#viewMetadata|publisher=UNU-EHS|accessdate=November 8, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923203844/https://collections.unu.edu/view/UNU:5763#viewMetadata|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has 111 active volcanoes.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A New Japan Volcanological Database|last1=Fujita|first1=Eisuke|last2=Ueda|first2=Hideki|last3=Nakada|first3=Setsuya|journal=Frontiers in Earth Science|date=July 2020|volume=8|page=205|doi=10.3389/feart.2020.00205|doi-access=free}}</ref> Destructive earthquakes, often resulting in tsunami, occur several times each century;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/japan_tec.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204064754/http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/japan_tec.html|archivedate=February 4, 2007|title=Tectonics and Volcanoes of Japan|publisher=Oregon State University|accessdate=March 27, 2007}}</ref> the ] killed over 140,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-japan-earthquake-of-1923-1764539/|website=Smithsonian Magazine|last=Hammer|first=Joshua|date=May 2011|title=The Great Japan Earthquake of 1923|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318031207/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-japan-earthquake-of-1923-1764539/|url-status=live}}</ref> More recent major quakes are the 1995 ] and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, which triggered a large tsunami.<ref name="nytimes-tsunami" />
Historically influenced by ], the ] developed independently during the ] through texts such as '']''. However, since the late nineteenth century, the ] has been largely based on the ] of ], notably ] and ]. For example, in 1896, the Japanese government established a ] based on the French model. With post-World War II modifications, the code remains in effect in present-day Japan.<ref name="civilcode">{{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: the ] and three levels of lower courts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/judiciary/0620system.html |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Japan |title=The Japanese Judicial System |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> The main body of Japanese statutory law is a collection called the ].<ref name="civilcode"/>


===Climate===
==Foreign policy and military==
{{Main|Geography of Japan#Climate}}
] training vessel JDS Kashima]]
] in spring, view from ]]]
{{main|Foreign relations of Japan|Japan Self-Defense Forces|Ministry of Defense (Japan)}}
The climate of Japan is predominantly temperate but varies greatly from north to south. The northernmost region, Hokkaido, has a ] with long, cold winters and very warm to cool summers. ] is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snowbanks in the winter.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite book|last=Karan|first=Pradyumna Prasad|title=Japan in the 21st century|year=2005|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-2342-4|pages=18–21, 41|author2=Gilbreath, Dick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oze_mWihnU0C}}</ref>
Japan maintains close economic and military relations with its key ally the ], with the ] serving as the cornerstone of its ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/03/japan_is_back_why_tokyos_new_a.html |title=Japan Is Back: Why Tokyo's New Assertiveness Is Good for Washington| author=Michael Green |publisher=Real Clear Politics | accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref> A member state of the ] since 1956, Japan is currently serving as a non-permanent ] member. It is also one of the ] seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralchronicle.com/20070111/1101194.htm |title=UK backs Japan for UNSC bid |publisher=Cenral Chronicle | accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>


In the ] region on Honshu's west coast, northwest winter winds bring heavy snowfall during winter. In the summer, the region sometimes experiences extremely hot temperatures because of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/cpd/longfcst/en/tourist/file/Hokuriku.html|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency|title=Climate of Hokuriku district|accessdate=October 24, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115152056/https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/cpd/longfcst/en/tourist/file/Hokuriku.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] has a typical inland humid continental climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter. The mountains of the ] and Shikoku regions shelter the ] from seasonal winds, bringing mild weather year-round.<ref name=autogenerated2 />
As a member of the ], the ], the "]", and a participant in the ], Japan actively participates in international affairs. It is also the world's second-largest donor of ], donating 0.19% of its ] in 2004.<ref>{{PDFlink | |32.9&nbsp;]<!-- application/pdf, 33766 bytes -->}} Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (]). Retrieved on ].</ref> Japan contributed non-combatant troops to the ], but subsequently withdrew its forces from ].<ref name="Iraq deployment">{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/20/news/japan.php |title= Tokyo says it will bring troops home from Iraq |publisher=] |date=] | accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>


The Pacific coast features a ] climate that experiences milder winters with occasional snowfall and hot, humid summers because of the southeast seasonal wind. The Ryukyu and Nanpō Islands have a ], with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> The main ] begins in early May in Okinawa, and the rain front gradually moves north. In late summer and early autumn, ]s often bring heavy rain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/cpd/longfcst/en/tourist_japan.html|publisher=Japan Meteorological Association|title=Overview of Japan's climate|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031532/https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/cpd/longfcst/en/tourist_japan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Environment Ministry, heavy rainfall and increasing temperatures have caused problems in the agricultural industry and elsewhere.<ref name=climatechange>{{Cite web|title=Japan 2030: Tackling climate issues is key to the next decade|url=https://features.japantimes.co.jp/climate-crisis-2030/|website=The Japan Times|last=Ito|first=Masami|accessdate=September 24, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309021632/https://features.japantimes.co.jp/climate-crisis-2030///|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest temperature ever measured in Japan, {{convert|comma=5|41.1|°C}}, was recorded on July 23, 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|agency=Associated Press|date=July 23, 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/23/world/asia/ap-as-asia-heat-wave.html|title=Record High in Japan as Heat Wave Grips the Region|website=The New York Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723124113/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/23/world/asia/ap-as-asia-heat-wave.html|archivedate=July 23, 2018|url-status=dead }}</ref> and repeated on August 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/18/weather/japan-hottest-temperature-record-climate-intl-hnk/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=August 18, 2020|title=Japan's heat wave continues, as temperatures equal highest record|last1=Ogura|first1=Junko|last2=Regan|first2=Helen|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120015703/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/18/weather/japan-hottest-temperature-record-climate-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Japan has several territorial disputes with its neighbors: with ] over the ], with ] over ], with ] and ] over the ] (Diaoyutai Islands), and with China over the status of ]. These disputes are in part about the control of natural resources, which include possible reserves of ] and ], or ]/marine resources within the surrounding waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiana.edu/~japan/iguides/disputes.htm |title=Japan's Territorial Disputes |publisher=Indiana University | accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref> The country also has an ongoing dispute with ] over its ] and its ] and missile programs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/n_korea/index.html |title=Japan-North Korea Relations |publisher=] | accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>


===Biodiversity===
Japan's military is restricted by ] of the ], which renounces Japan's right to declare, or use military force in, war. Japan's military is governed by the ], and primarily consists of the ] (JGSDF), the ] (JMSDF), and the ] (JASDF). The military budget of Japan is less than one percent of its ],<ref name="ciagen">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html |title=World Factbook; Japan |publisher=] |date=] | accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> spending $44.3 billion per year, as of 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publications/wp2006/pdf/2-2-4.pdf |title= Japan's Defense Policy |publisher= ] | format = ] |date= ] | accessdate=2007-03-14}}. 4790.6 billion yen converted at $1=108¥</ref> The forces have been recently used in ] operations and the ] marked the first overseas use of its military since ].<ref name="Iraq deployment"/>
{{Main|Wildlife of Japan}}
Japan has nine forest ] which reflect the climate and geography of the islands. They range from ] in the Ryūkyū and ], to ] in the mild climate regions of the main islands, to ]s in the cold, winter portions of the northern islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/spotflora.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213035135/http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/spotflora.htm|archivedate=February 13, 2007|title=Flora and Fauna: Diversity and regional uniqueness|publisher=Embassy of Japan in the USA|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}</ref> Japan has over 90,000 species of wildlife {{as of|2019|lc=y}},<ref name="Sakurai2019">{{cite book|first=Ryo|last=Sakurai|title=Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management in Japan: From Asia to the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=68OWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA12|year=2019|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-981-13-6332-0|pages=12–13}}</ref> including the ], the ], the ], the ], and the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wildlife in Japan|url=https://www.env.go.jp/nature/yasei/pamph/pamph01/WildlifePamphlet-EN_151126.pdf|publisher=]|date=March 2015|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221054522/http://www.env.go.jp/nature/yasei/pamph/pamph01/WildlifePamphlet-EN_151126.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> There are 53 ] in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ramsar.org/wetland/japan|publisher=Ramsar|title=Japan|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021083523/https://ramsar.org/wetland/japan|url-status=live}}</ref> ] have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their outstanding natural value.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/jp |accessdate=September 29, 2024 |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre }}</ref>


===Environment===
==Administrative divisions==
{{Main|Environmental issues in Japan|Climate change in Japan}}
]]]
] ({{transliteration|ja|]}}) at ] on ], a ] ]]]
]]]
In the period of rapid economic growth after World War II, environmental policies were downplayed by the government and industrial corporations; as a result, ] was widespread in the 1950s and 1960s. Responding to rising concerns, the government introduced environmental protection laws in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:日本の大気汚染の歴史|trans-title=Historical Air Pollution in Japan|url=http://www.erca.go.jp/taiki/history/ko_syousyu.html|publisher=Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency|accessdate=March 2, 2014|language=Japanese|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501085231/http://www.erca.go.jp/taiki/history/ko_syousyu.html|archivedate=May 1, 2011}}</ref> The ] also encouraged the efficient use of energy because of Japan's lack of natural resources.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sekiyama|first=Takeshi|title=Japan's international cooperation for energy efficiency and conservation in Asian region|url=http://nice.erina.or.jp/en/pdf/C-SEKIYAMA.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216005103/http://nice.erina.or.jp/en/pdf/C-SEKIYAMA.pdf|archivedate=February 16, 2008|publisher=Energy Conservation Center|accessdate=January 16, 2011}}</ref>
]]]
{{main|Prefectures of Japan|Cities of Japan|Towns of Japan|Villages of Japan|List of Japanese cities by population}}
While there exist eight commonly defined ], administratively Japan consists of ], each overseen by an elected governor, legislature and administrative bureaucracy. The ] is further divided into ], each with the same powers as cities.


Japan ranks 20th in the 2018 ], which measures a country's commitment to environmental sustainability.<ref>{{cite web|title=Environmental Performance Index: Japan|url=https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-country-report/JPN|publisher=Yale University|accessdate=February 26, 2018|archive-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119100506/https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-country-report/JPN|url-status=dead}}</ref> Japan is the world's ] of ].<ref name=climatechange/> As the host and signatory of the 1997 ], Japan is under treaty obligation to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and to take other steps to curb climate change.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUST191967|title=Japan sees extra emission cuts to 2020 goal&nbsp;– minister|date=June 24, 2009|publisher=Reuters|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012011542/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUST191967|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the government of Japan announced a target of ]ity by 2050.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=Jordan|title=Japan Targets Carbon Neutrality by 2050|url=https://www.ecowatch.com/japan-carbon-neutral-2648499409.html|website=Ecowatch|date=October 26, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101101328/https://www.ecowatch.com/japan-carbon-neutral-2648499409.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Environmental issues include urban air pollution (], suspended ], and ]), ], water ], ], ], chemical management and international co-operation for conservation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Environmental Performance Review of Japan|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/0/17/2110905.pdf|publisher=]|accessdate=January 16, 2011|archive-date=February 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215084051/http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/0/17/2110905.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The nation is currently undergoing administrative ] 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>


==Government and politics==
Japan has dozens of ], 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 ], except where indicated:
{{Main|Emperor of Japan|Government of Japan|Politics of Japan|Law of Japan}}
], current head of state, and ] participated in the ] in ] on November 10, 2019.]]
Japan is a ] and ] in which the power of the ] is limited to a ].<ref name=euparl>{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI%282020%29651951|publisher=European Parliament|title=Japan's Parliament and other political institutions|date=June 9, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019205439/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)651951|url-status=live}}</ref> Executive power is instead wielded by the ] and his ], whose sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web|url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html|title=The Constitution of Japan|publisher=Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet|date=November 3, 1946|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214104438/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html|archivedate=December 14, 2013}}</ref> ] is the Emperor of Japan, having succeeded his father ] upon his accession to the ] in 2019.<ref name=euparl/>


]]]
{| class="wikitable"
Japan's legislative organ is the ], a ] ].<ref name=euparl/> It consists of a lower ] with 465 seats, elected by popular vote every four years or when dissolved, and an upper ] with 245 seats, whose popularly-elected members serve six-year terms.<ref name=sec>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/837056/000119312520211213/d477441dex1.htm|publisher=US Securities and Exchange Commission|date=August 6, 2020|title=Japan|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106133727/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/837056/000119312520211213/d477441dex1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> There is ] for adults over 18 years of age,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2016/07/japan-youth-can-make-difference-new-voting-rights-u-n-envoy/|publisher=UN Envoy on Youth|title=Japan Youth Can Make Difference with New Voting Rights: UN Envoy|date=July 2016|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028222010/https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2016/07/japan-youth-can-make-difference-new-voting-rights-u-n-envoy/|url-status=live}}</ref> with a ] for all elected offices.<ref name="Constitution" /> The prime minister as the ] has the power to appoint and dismiss ], and is ] by the emperor after being designated from among the members of the Diet.<ref name=sec/> ] is Japan's prime minister; he took office after winning the ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ninivagi|first=Gabriele |title=Ishiba wins: An unusual result for an unusual election |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/27/japan/politics/ldp-presidential-election-analysis/|date=September 27, 2024 |work=The Japan Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930195331/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/27/japan/politics/ldp-presidential-election-analysis/ |archivedate=September 30, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The broadly conservative ] has been the ] in the country since the 1950s, often called the ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Crespo|first=José Antonio|title=The Liberal Democratic Party in Japan: Conservative Domination|journal=]|volume=16|number=2|pages=199–209|date=April 1995|doi=10.1177/019251219501600206|jstor=1601459}}</ref>
! !! City !! Prefecture !! Population<ref name="population">{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Cities.html#Stadt_gross |title=Japan - City Population |publisher=citypopulation.de | accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref>

Historically influenced by ], the Japanese legal system developed independently during the Edo period through texts such as {{transliteration|ja|]}}.<ref name=dean>{{cite book|last=Dean|first=Meryll|title=Japanese legal system: text, cases & materials|year=2002|publisher=Cavendish|isbn=978-1-85941-673-0|pages=55–58, 131|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt9jB5CjfRIC}}</ref> Since the late 19th century, ] has been largely based on the ] of Europe, notably Germany. In 1896, Japan established a ] based on the German ], which remains in effect with post–World War II modifications.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kanamori|first=Shigenari|title=German influences on Japanese Pre-War Constitution and Civil Code|journal=European Journal of Law and Economics|date=January 1, 1999|volume=7|issue=1|pages=93–95|doi=10.1023/A:1008688209052}}</ref> The ], adopted in 1947, is the oldest unamended constitution in the world.<ref name="anomalous-constitution">{{cite news|last=McElwain|first=Kenneth Mori|title=The Anomalous Life of the Japanese Constitution|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/a05602/the-anomalous-life-of-the-japanese-constitution.html|date=August 15, 2017|website=Nippon.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811213143/https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/a05602/the-anomalous-life-of-the-japanese-constitution.html|url-status=live|archivedate=August 11, 2019}}</ref> Statutory law originates in the legislature, and the constitution requires that the emperor promulgate legislation passed by the Diet without giving him the power to oppose legislation. The main body of Japanese statutory law is called the ].<ref name=dean/> Japan's court system is divided into four basic tiers: the ] and three levels of lower courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/judiciary/0620system.html|publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Japan|title=The Japanese Judicial System|date=July 1999|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116032711/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/judiciary/0620system.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Japan|Prefectures of Japan}}
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each overseen by an elected ] and legislature.<ref name=euparl/> In the following table, the prefectures are grouped by ]:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e02_regions.pdf|title=Regions of Japan|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|accessdate=January 13, 2021|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119041311/https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e02_regions.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
{|
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|- |-
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| 1 || ''']'''<sup>a</sup>{{spaces|2}} || ] || 8,535,792</tr>
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| 2 || ''']''' || ]{{spaces|2}} || 3,602,758</tr>
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| 3 || ''']''' || ] || 2,635,420</tr>
| 4 || ''']''' || ] || 2,223,148</tr> 24.&nbsp;]{{pb}}
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| 5 || ''']''' || ] || 1,888,953</tr>
| 6 || ''']''' || ] || 1,528,687</tr> 26.&nbsp;]{{pb}}
| 7 || ''']''' || ] || 1,472,511</tr> 27.&nbsp;]{{pb}}
28.&nbsp;]{{pb}}
| 8 || ''']''' || ] || 1,414,417</tr>
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| 9 || ''']'''<sup>b</sup> || ] || 1,342,262</tr>
30.&nbsp;]
| 10 || ''']''' || ]|| 1,182,744</tr>
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|} |}
<!--{{Japan Regions and Prefectures Labelled Map}}-->
{{small|<sup>a</sup> 23 municipalities. Also capital of Japan.<br/><sup>b</sup> Government Ordinance City only.}}
{{clear}}


===Foreign relations===
==Geography and climate==
{{Main|Foreign relations of Japan}}
]
] and the ].]]
], the highest point in Japan, with ] and the ] in the foreground.]]].]]
A member state of the United Nations since 1956, Japan is one of the ] seeking reform of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2017/html/chapter3/c030105.html|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|title=Japan's Efforts at the United Nations (UN)|work=Diplomatic Bluebook 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214051435/https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2017/html/chapter3/c030105.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan is a member of the ], ], and "]", and is a participant in the ].<ref name=terada>{{cite book|url=https://www.jcie.org/researchpdfs/PacificNation/Terada.pdf|last=Terada|first=Takashi|chapter=The United States and East Asian Regionalism|title=A Pacific Nation|editor1=Borthwick, Mark|editor2=Yamamoto, Tadashi|editor2-link=Tadashi Yamamoto|year=2011|isbn=978-4-88907-133-7|publisher=Japan Center for International Exchange|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106123037/https://www.jcie.org/researchpdfs/PacificNation/Terada.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the world's ] of ], donating US$9.2 billion in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics from the Development Co-operation Report 2015|url=http://www.oecd.org/dac/japan.htm|publisher=OECD|accessdate=November 15, 2015|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123081241/http://www.oecd.org/dac/Japan.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, Japan had the ] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Diplomacy Index&nbsp;– Country Rank |url=https://globaldiplomacyindex.lowyinstitute.org/country_rank.html |accessdate=February 26, 2024 |publisher=] |archive-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201012801/http://globaldiplomacyindex.lowyinstitute.org/country_rank.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{main|Geography of Japan}}
Japan is a country of over three thousand islands extending along the ] coast of Asia. The main islands, running from north to south, are ], ] (the main island), ], and ]. The ], including ], are a chain of islands south of Kyushū. Together they are often known as the ].


Japan has close economic and military relations with the United States, with which it maintains a ].<ref name=us-relations>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-japan/|publisher=US Department of State|title=US Relations with Japan|date=January 21, 2020|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503135404/https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The United States is a major market for Japanese exports and a major source of Japanese imports, and is committed to defending the country, with military bases in Japan.<ref name=us-relations/> In 2016, Japan announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, which frames its regional policies.<ref>{{Cite web |last2=Hosoya |first1=Nicholas |last1=Szechenyi |first2=Yuichi |title=Working Toward a Free and Open Indo-Pacific |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/10/10/working-toward-free-and-open-indo-pacific-pub-80023 |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029041716/https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/10/10/working-toward-free-and-open-indo-pacific-pub-80023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Achieving the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)' Vision: Japan Ministry of Defense's Approach |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/exc/india_pacific/india_pacific-en.html |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defence |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508095151/https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/exc/india_pacific/india_pacific-en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Japan is also a member of the ] ("the Quad"), a multilateral security dialogue reformed in 2017 aiming to limit Chinese influence in the ] region, along with the United States, Australia, and India.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep17325 |title=Japan, the Indo-Pacific, and the "Quad" |last=Chanlett-Avery |first=Emma |date=2018 |publisher=Chicago Council on Global Affairs }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: What to Know |first=Sheila A. |last=Smith |date=May 27, 2021 |url=https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/quad-indo-pacific-what-know |accessdate=January 26, 2022 |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503162143/https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/quad-indo-pacific-what-know |url-status=live }}</ref>
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 ] in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://esa.un.org/unpp/ |title=World Population Prospects |publisher=UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>


Japan is engaged in several territorial disputes with its neighbors. Japan contests Russia's control of the ], which were occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/index.html|title=Japanese Territory, Northern Territories|date=April 4, 2014|publisher=]|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626202149/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> South Korea's control of the ] is acknowledged but not accepted as they are claimed by Japan.<ref name="takeshima">{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html|title=Japanese Territory, Takeshima|date=July 30, 2014|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|archive-date=June 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613022420/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has strained relations with China and Taiwan over the ] and the status of ].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1177/0920203X16665778|date=September 2016|title=The Senkaku Shoto/Diaoyu Islands and Okinotorishima disputes: Ideational and material influences|last=Fox|first=Senan|journal=China Information|volume=30|issue=3|pages=312–333}}</ref>
Its location on the ], at the juncture of three tectonic plates, gives Japan frequent low-intensity tremors and occasional volcanic activity. Destructive ]s, often resulting in ]s, occur several times each century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/japan_tec.html |title=Tectonics and Volcanoes of Japan |publisher=Oregon State University |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> The most recent major quakes are the ] and the ] of 1995. ] are numerous and have been developed as resorts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/hotSprings.html |title=Attractions: Hot Springs |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>


===Military===
The climate of Japan is predominantly ], but varies greatly from north to south.<ref name="climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/climate.html |title=Essential Info: Climate |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> Japan's geographical features divide it into six principal climatic zones:
{{Main|Japan Self-Defense Forces}}
* ]: The northernmost zone has a temperate climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. ] is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snow banks in the winter.
] ]]]
* ]: 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 ] phenomenon.
Japan is the third highest-ranked Asian country in the 2024 ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf|publisher=Institute for Economics & Peace|date=June 2024}}</ref> It spent 1.1% of its total GDP on ] in 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=JP|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP) – Japan|publisher=]|accessdate=August 11, 2022|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811211411/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> and maintained the ] in the world in 2022.<ref name="SIPRI-2020">{{cite web |date=April 2023 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2022 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2304_fs_milex_2022.pdf |publisher=] |accessdate=May 22, 2023 |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423231601/https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2304_fs_milex_2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The country's military (the Japan Self-Defense Forces) is restricted by ], which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/japan-constitution/article9.php|publisher=Library of Congress|title=Japan: Article 9 of the Constitution|date=February 2006|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113230055/https://www.loc.gov/law/help/japan-constitution/article9.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The military is governed by the ], and primarily consists of the ], the ], and the ]. The ] and Afghanistan marked the first overseas use of Japan's military since World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/japan-and-its-military|last=Teslik|first=Lee Hudson|date=April 13, 2006|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|title=Japan and its military|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193330/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/japan-and-its-military|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ]: A typical inland climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter, and between day and night. Precipitation is light.
* ]: The mountains of the ] and ] regions shelter the region from the seasonal winds, bringing mild weather throughout the year.
* ]: The east coast experiences cold winters with little snowfall and hot, humid summers due to the southeast seasonal wind.
* ]: The Ryukyu Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season. ] are common.


The ] has been making changes to its security policy which include the establishment of the ], the adoption of the National Security Strategy, and the development of the National Defense Program Guidelines.<ref name="Japan's Security Policy">{{cite news|title= Japan's Security Policy|publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|url= http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/security/|date= April 6, 2016|archive-date= January 28, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132310/http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/security/|url-status= live}}</ref> In May 2014, Prime Minister ] said Japan wanted to shed the passiveness it has maintained since the end of World War II and take more responsibility for regional security.<ref name="JapanAsia">{{cite news|title=Abe offers Japan's help in maintaining regional security|url=http://www.japanherald.com/index.php/sid/222467193/scat/c4f2dd8ca8c78044/ht/Abe-offers-Japans-help-in-maintaining-regional-security|date=May 30, 2014|newspaper=Japan Herald|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531184828/http://www.japanherald.com/index.php/sid/222467193/scat/c4f2dd8ca8c78044/ht/Abe-offers-Japans-help-in-maintaining-regional-security|archivedate=May 31, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2022, Prime Minister ] further confirmed this trend, instructing the government to increase spending by 65% until 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liff |first=Adam P. |date=May 22, 2023 |title=No, Japan is not planning to 'double its defense budget' |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/22/no-japan-is-not-planning-to-double-its-defense-budget/ |publisher=]|archive-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523074432/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/22/no-japan-is-not-planning-to-double-its-defense-budget/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Recent tensions, particularly with North Korea and China, have reignited the debate over the status of the JSDF and its relation to Japanese society.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/japan-dealing-with-north-koreas-growing-missile-threat/|work=The Diplomat|last=Yoji|first=Koda|date=September 18, 2020|title=Japan: Dealing with North Korea's Growing Missile Threat|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111164739/https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/japan-dealing-with-north-koreas-growing-missile-threat/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-china-military-provocations-revival-disputed-islands-pacifism-11594735596|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=China Provocations Hasten Japan's Military Revival|last1=Gale|first1=Alastair|last2=Tsuneoka|first2=Chieko|date=July 14, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111145238/https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-china-military-provocations-revival-disputed-islands-pacifism-11594735596|url-status=live}}</ref>
The main ] 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, ]s often bring heavy rain.<ref name="climate"/>


===Law enforcement===
Japan is home to nine forest ] which reflect the climate and geography of the islands. They range from ] in the Ryūkyū and Bonin islands, to ] in the mild climate regions of the main islands, to ] in the cold, winter portions of the northern islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/spotflora.htm |title=Flora and Fauna: Diversity and regional uniqueness |publisher=Embassy of Japan in the USA |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>
{{Main|Law enforcement in Japan|Crime in Japan}}
]]]
Domestic security in Japan is provided mainly by the ]s, under the oversight of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Supreme Court of Japan|year=2005|title=Who will conduct the investigation?|url=http://www.courts.go.jp/saiban/qa_keizi/qa_keizi_09/index.html|accessdate=November 1, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924211451/http://www.courts.go.jp/saiban/qa_keizi/qa_keizi_09/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As the central coordinating body for the Prefectural Police Departments, the National Police Agency is administered by the ].<ref name="NPA1977-2">{{Cite book|editor=National Police Agency Police History Compilation Committee|year=1977|title=Japan post-war police history|publisher=]|language=Japanese}}</ref> The ] comprises national-level ] tactical units that cooperate with territorial-level ].<ref name="WP">{{cite web|url=http://www.npa.go.jp/english/kokusai9/White_Paper_2009_7.pdf|title=Chapter IV. Maintenance of Public Safety and Disaster Countermeasures|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323151825/https://www.npa.go.jp/english/kokusai9/White_Paper_2009_7.pdf|accessdate=March 25, 2011|archivedate=March 23, 2011|publisher=]|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] guards territorial waters surrounding Japan and uses surveillance and control countermeasures against smuggling, marine ], poaching, piracy, spy ships, unauthorized foreign fishing vessels, and illegal immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/e/image/15_b%20of%20jcg.pdf|title=Japan Coast Guard|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708235951/https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/e/image/15_b%20of%20jcg.pdf|accessdate=July 8, 2019|archivedate=July 8, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ] strictly regulates the civilian ownership of guns, swords, and other weaponry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/11/29/national/diet-tightens-laws-on-knives-guns/#.XS9faShKi01|title=Diet tightens laws on knives, guns|date=November 29, 2008|work=The Japan Times|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413233016/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/11/29/national/diet-tightens-laws-on-knives-guns/#.XS9faShKi01|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/|title=A Land Without Guns: How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths|date=July 23, 2012|first=Max|last=Fisher|work=]|archive-date=December 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216014947/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the ], among the member states of the UN that report statistics {{as of|2018|lc=y}}, the incidence rates of violent crimes such as murder, abduction, sexual violence, and robbery are very low in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Victims of intentional homicide, 1990–2018|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/content/data/homicide/homicide-rate|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328012947/https://dataunodc.un.org/content/data/homicide/homicide-rate|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/kidnapping|title=Kidnapping: 2018|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021235926/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/kidnapping|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Sexual violence|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/sexual-violence|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107001709/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/sexual-violence|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Robbery: 2018|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/Robbery|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111163831/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/Robbery|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Japan}}

Japanese society traditionally places a strong emphasis on ] and ], which has led to the suppression of ].<ref name="h191">{{cite journal | last=Matsui | first=Shigenori | title=Fundamental Human Rights and 'Traditional Japanese Values': Constitutional Amendment and Vision of the Japanese Society | journal=Asian Journal of Comparative Law | volume=13 | issue=1 | date=February 22, 2018 | doi=10.1017/asjcl.2017.25 | doi-access=free | pages=59–86}}</ref> ] prohibits racial and religious discrimination,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination started consideration of the initial and second periodic reports of Japan |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-started-consideration-initial |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508101622/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-started-consideration-initial |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=Constitution of Japan|wslanguage=en}}</ref> and the country is a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties.<ref name="q456">{{cite web |title=Japan Strengthening Its Presence in the International Community|work=Diplomatic Bluebook | publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan | url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2021/en_html/chapter4/c040207.html | year=2021}}</ref> However, it lacks any laws against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity and does not have a national human rights institution.<ref name="p620">{{cite book | author=Human Rights Watch | title=World Report 2024: Events of 2023 | publisher=Seven Stories Press | year=2024 | isbn=978-1-64421-338-4 | url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=HjrBEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT425| page=425}}</ref>

Japan has faced criticism for ],<ref name="p015">{{cite journal | last=Iida | first=Aki | title=Gender inequality in Japan: The status of women, and their promotion in the workplace | journal=Corvinus Journal of International Affairs | volume=3 | issue=3 | year=2018 | doi=10.14267/cojourn.2018v3n3a5 | doi-access=free | pages=43–52}}</ref> ],<ref name="h253">{{cite web | last=Shiraishi | first2=Frances|last2= Mao |first1=Sakiko | title=Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts | publisher=BBC | date=March 14, 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68561968}}</ref> use of ] by police,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Racial profiling, discrimination in Japan far more serious than stats reported by police |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221217/p2a/00m/0na/010000c |work=Mainichi Daily News |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508101627/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221217/p2a/00m/0na/010000c |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Japan |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/japan/ |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=U.S. Department of State |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924171500/https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa22/006/2006/en/|title=Japan: 'Will this day be my last?' The death penalty in Japan|publisher=]|date=July 6, 2006}}</ref> Other human rights issues include the treatment of marginalized groups, such as ],<ref name="r037">{{cite web | title=Japan: Long-standing discrimination unchanged |publisher=Amnesty International | url=https://www.amnesty.org/es/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ASA2257602022ENGLISH.pdf |year=2023}}</ref> ].<ref name="v702">{{cite web | title=Japan's new deportation rule for asylum seekers raises rights concerns | website=Nikkei Asia | date=June 10, 2024 | url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-s-new-deportation-rule-for-asylum-seekers-raises-rights-concerns}}</ref>


==Economy== ==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Japan}}
], the country's ].]]
], ]; a major ] in Japan]]
{{main|Economy of Japan}}
Japan has the world's ], after that of the United States, China and Germany; and the ].<ref>{{cite web |date=October 10, 2023 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=NGDPD,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |publisher=] |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029120100/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=NGDPD,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, ] is the world's ], consisting of over 68.6 million workers.<ref name="cia" /> {{As of|2022}}, Japan has a ] of around 2.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP|title=Unemployment, total (% of the total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): Japan|publisher=]|accessdate=July 31, 2022|archive-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125918/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> ] is the second highest among the G7 countries,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Komiya|first1=Kantaro|last2=Kihara|first2=Leiha|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-confronts-rising-inequality-after-abenomics-2021-10-12/|title=Japan confronts rising inequality after Abenomics|publisher=]|date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125918/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-confronts-rising-inequality-after-abenomics-2021-10-12/|url-status=live}}</ref> and exceeds 15.7% of the population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/03/japans-middle-class-is-disappearing-as-poverty-rises-warns-economist.html|title=Japan's middle class is 'disappearing' as poverty rises, warns economist|date=July 2, 2020|publisher=]|last=Huang|first=Eustance|archive-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125917/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/03/japans-middle-class-is-disappearing-as-poverty-rises-warns-economist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has the highest ratio of public debt to GDP among advanced economies,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ímrohoroğlu|first1=Selahattin|last2=Kitao|first2=Sagiri|last3=Yamada|first3=Tomoaki|title=Achieving fiscal balance in Japan|volume=57|number=1|pages=117–154|journal=]|date=February 2016|doi=10.1111/iere.12150|jstor=44075341}}</ref> with ] estimated at 248% relative to GDP {{as of|2022|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/monetary-tightening-poses-medium-term-risks-to-japans-debt-dynamics-06-05-2022|publisher=]|title=Monetary Tightening Poses Medium-Term Risks to Japan's Debt Dynamics|date=May 6, 2022|archive-date=May 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519084011/https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/monetary-tightening-poses-medium-term-risks-to-japans-debt-dynamics-06-05-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] is the world's third-largest ] after the US dollar and the euro.<ref>{{cite web|title=Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserve|publisher=IMF|url=https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175|accessdate=October 10, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512202858/https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175|url-status=live}}</ref>
Close ]-] cooperation, a strong ], mastery of ]nology, and a comparatively small ] have helped Japan become the ] 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=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> after the ], at around US$4.5 ] in terms of ]<ref name="imf"/> and third after the ] and ] in in terms of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_gdp_ppp-economy-gdp-ppp |title=NationMaster; Economy Statistics |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-03-26}}</ref>


Japan was the world's ] and ] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of importing markets for the product exported by Japan in 2022 |url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c392%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c2%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1 |accessdate=August 11, 2023 |publisher=] |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410225438/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C392%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C2%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=List of supplying markets for the product imported by Japan in 2022 |url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c392%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1 |accessdate=August 11, 2023 |publisher=] |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410225448/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C392%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Its exports amounted to 18.2% of its total GDP in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS?locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|title=Exports of goods and services (% of GDP): Japan|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130064945/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, ] were China (23.9 percent, including Hong Kong) and the United States (18.5 percent).<ref name="STATJETRO">{{cite web |title=Japanese Trade and Investment Statistics |url=https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/statistics/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301094344/https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/statistics/ |archivedate=March 1, 2021 |accessdate=March 3, 2021 |publisher=]}}</ref> ] are motor vehicles, iron and steel products, semiconductors, and auto parts.<ref name="cia">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/|title=World Factbook: Japan|publisher=CIA|accessdate=September 24, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105105736/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan's main import markets {{as of|2022||lc=y}} were China (21.1 percent), the United States (9.9 percent), and Australia (9.8 percent).<ref name="STATJETRO" /> Japan's main imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, and raw materials for its industries.<ref name="STATJETRO" />
]ing, ], ], ]ing, ] and ]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 ]s, ], ]s, ] and nonferrous ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s. It is home to leading ]s and commercial ]s in ] and ].<ref name="ciaecon"/> ] 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 have included the cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and banks in closely-knit groups called '']'' and the guarantee of ] in big corporations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=7193984 |title=Japan's Economy: Free at last |publisher=] |date=2006-07-20 |accessdate=2007-03-29}}</ref> Recently, Japanese companies have begun to abandon some of these norms in an attempt to increase profitability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moneyweek.com/file/26181/why-germanys-economy-will-outshine-japan.html |title=Why Germany's economy will outshine Japan |publisher=MoneyWeek |date=2007-02-28 |accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>


The Japanese variant of capitalism has many distinct features: ] enterprises are influential, and ] and seniority-based career advancement are common in the ].<ref name="oecd2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0,3343,en_2649_34111_40353553_1_1_1_1,00.html|title=Economic survey of Japan 2008|publisher=]|accessdate=August 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109122744/http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0%2C3343%2Cen_2649_34111_40353553_1_1_1_1%2C00.html|archivedate=November 9, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/7193984?story_id=7193984|title=Japan's Economy: Free at last|newspaper=The Economist|date=July 20, 2006|archive-date=April 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430001614/http://www.economist.com/node/7193984?story_id=7193984|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has a large ] sector, with three of the world's ten largest cooperatives, including the largest ] and the largest ] {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ica.coop/sites/default/files/publication-files/wcm2018-printx50-227290600.pdf|title=The 2018 World Cooperative Monitor: Exploring the Cooperative Economy|date=October 2018|publisher=]|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042643/https://www.ica.coop/sites/default/files/publication-files/wcm2018-printx50-227290600.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It ] for ] and ]. Japan ranked sixth in the ] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2019.pdf|title=The Global Competitiveness Report|publisher=]|last=Schwab|first=Klaus|author-link=Klaus Schwab|year=2019|archive-date=July 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730051309/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2019.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It attracted 31.9&nbsp;million international tourists in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/#graph--inbound--travelers--transition|title=Trends in the Visitor Arrivals to Japan by Year|publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126123636/https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/#graph--inbound--travelers--transition|url-status=live}}</ref> and was ] in the world in 2019 for ].<ref name="WTOB">{{cite journal|date=August–September 2020|title=Statistical Annex|journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer|volume=18|issue=5|page=18|doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.5|doi-access=free}}</ref> The 2021 '']'' ranked Japan first in the world out of 117 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021|date=May 2022|publisher=]|url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf|accessdate=July 31, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Its international tourism receipts in 2019 amounted to $46.1 billion.<ref name="WTOB"/>
] is the second largest in the world.]]
Japan is home to the world's largest bank,<ref name="mufg"> Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (]). Retrieved on ].</ref> the ],<ref> ] (]). Retrieved on ].</ref> which has roughly US$1.7 ] in ]s;<ref name="mufg"/> the world's largest ]; and the largest holder of ]s, ], holding personal savings valued at around US$3.3 ]. It is home to the world's second largest ], the ], with a market ] of over US$4 ] as of December 2006.<ref> Tokyo Stock Exchange (]). Retrieved on ].</ref> It is also home to some of the largest ] companies, ]s and ]s. For instance several large ]s (business groups) and multinational companies such as ], ], ] and ] own billion- and trillion-] operating ]s, ]s and/or financial services such as ], ], ], ] and ].


===Agriculture and fishery===
From the 1960s to the 1980s, overall real economic growth has been called ]: 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 ] 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=] |date=] | 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 ] during the same period.<ref>Masake, Hisane. . ''Asia Times Online'' (]). Retrieved on ].</ref>
{{Main|Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan}}
] in ], ]]]
The Japanese agricultural sector accounts for about 1.2% of the country's total GDP {{as of|2018|lc=yes}}.<ref name=sec/> Only 11.5% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.ARBL.ZS|title=Arable land (% of land area)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107201125/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.ARBL.ZS|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of this lack of arable land, a system of ] is used to farm in small areas.<ref name="Urbanites Help Sustain Japan's Historic Rice Paddy Terraces">{{cite web|url=http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/the-people-who-sustain-japans-historic-terraced-rice-fields|title=Urbanites Help Sustain Japan's Historic Rice Paddy Terraces|website=Our World|date=May 22, 2012|author1=Nagata, Akira|author2=Chen, Bixia|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924164244/http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/the-people-who-sustain-japans-historic-terraced-rice-fields|url-status=live}}</ref> This results in one of the world's highest levels of crop yields per unit area, with an agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 50% {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The spatial patterns in long-term temporal trends of three major crops' yields in Japan|doi=10.1080/1343943X.2018.1459752|year=2018|volume=21|last=Chen|first=Hungyen|journal=Plant Production Science|issue=3|pages=177–185|doi-access=free}}</ref> Japan's small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and ].<ref>{{cite web|work=Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation|title=Japan: Support to agriculture|year=2020|publisher=OECD|accessdate=November 11, 2020|url=https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/751935f0-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/751935f0-en|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620151745/https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/751935f0-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/751935f0-en|url-status=live}}</ref> There has been a growing concern about farming as farmers are aging with a difficult time finding successors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/12/31/grown-from-necessity-vertical-farming-takes-off-in-ageing-japan.html|title=Grown from necessity: Vertical farming takes off in aging Japan|last=Nishimura|first=Karyn|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=January 1, 2020|website=The Jakarta Post|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205084025/https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/12/31/grown-from-necessity-vertical-farming-takes-off-in-ageing-japan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Japan ranked seventh in the world in ] and captured 3,167,610 metric tons of fish in 2016, down from an annual average of 4,000,000 tons over the previous decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/i9540en/i9540en.pdf|title=The state of world fisheries and aquaculture|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization|date=2018|accessdate=May 25, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211011147/http://www.fao.org/3/I9540EN/i9540en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch,<ref name=cia /> prompting critiques that Japan's fishing is leading to depletion in fish stocks such as ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/24/japan-criticised-exceed-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quota|newspaper=The Guardian|last=McCurry|first=Justin|title=Japan to exceed bluefin tuna quota amid warnings of commercial extinction|date=April 24, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024926/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/24/japan-criticised-exceed-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quota|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has sparked controversy by supporting commercial ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48821797|work=BBC News|title=Japan resumes commercial whaling after 30 years|date=July 1, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020054/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48821797|url-status=live}}</ref>
Because only about 15% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation,<ref>Kingshuk Roy. . College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University (]). Retrieved on ].</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 ] sector is also highly subsidized and protected. Japan must import about 50%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ibi-iai.nsf/en/bi18701e.html |title=Japan: Country Information |publisher=Strategis |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> of its requirements of ] and fodder crops other than rice, and it relies on imports for most of its supply of ]. In fishing, Japan is ranked second in the world behind ] in tonnage of fish caught. Japan maintains one of the world's largest ] fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch.<ref name="ciaecon"/> Japan relies on foreign countries for almost all ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.go.jp/e/defense_policy/example/maritime/index.htm |title=An Example of Maritime Operations |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-03-26}}</ref>


===Industry and services ===
Transportation in Japan is highly developed. As of 2004, there are 1,177,278&nbsp;] of paved roadways, 173 airports, and 23,577&nbsp;km of ]s.<ref name="ciaecon"/> Air transport is mostly operated by ] (ANA) and ] (JAL). Railways are operated by ] among others. There are extensive international flights from many cities and countries to and from Japan.
{{Main|Manufacturing in Japan|Trade and services in Japan|Electronics industry in Japan|Automotive industry in Japan}}
], a ] manufactured by ]. Japan is the ] in the world.<ref name=":0" />]]
Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the "largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, ]s, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, ]s, textiles, and ]".<ref name="cia"/> Japan's industrial sector makes up approximately 27.5% of its GDP.<ref name=cia/> The country's manufacturing output is the ] in the world {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manufacturing, value added (current US$)|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|accessdate=March 17, 2020|publisher=World Bank|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107135049/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|url-status=live}}</ref>


Japan is in the top three globally for both automobile production<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=2022 Production Statistics |url=https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2022-statistics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408125523/https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2022-statistics/ |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |accessdate=May 22, 2023 |website= |publisher=OICA}}</ref> and export,<ref>{{cite web |last1=He |first1=Laura |last2=Semans |first2=Himari |date=February 2, 2024 |title=Is China now the world's top car exporter? It's complicated |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/cars/japan-china-top-car-exporter-data-intl-hnk/index.html |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cars |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/cars |accessdate=July 27, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> and is home to ], the world's ] by vehicle production. The Japanese shipbuilding industry faces increasing competition from its East Asian neighbors, South Korea and China; a 2020 government initiative identified this sector as a target for increasing exports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/japan-targets-to-export-more-ships-revive-global-market-share/|website=Japan Forward|title=Japan Targets to Export More Ships, Revive Global Market Share|last=Okada|first=Mizuki|date=September 5, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123140851/https://japan-forward.com/japan-targets-to-export-more-ships-revive-global-market-share/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Japan's main export partners are the ] 22.9%, ] 13.4%, ] 7.8%, ] 7.3% and ] 6.1% (for 2005). Japan's main exports are transport equipment, ], ], electrical machinery and ]s.<ref name="ciaecon"/> With very limited ] 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 ] 21%, ] 12.7%, ] 5.5%, ] 4.9%, ] 4.7%, ] 4.7% and ] 4% (for 2005). Japan's main imports are machinery and equipment, ], ]s (in particular ]), ], ]s and raw materials for its industries. Overall, Japan's largest trading partner is ].<ref>Blustein, Paul. '']'' (]). Retrieved on ].</ref>


Japan's service sector accounts for about 69.5% of its total economic output {{as of|2021|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Services, value added (% of GDP) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.SRV.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP |accessdate=November 11, 2020 |publisher=World Bank |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516063109/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.SRV.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP |url-status=live }}</ref> ], retail, ], and ] are all major industries, with companies such as Toyota, ], -], ], ], ], and ] listed as among the largest in the world.<ref name="Fortune Global 500 ">{{cite news|url=https://fortune.com/global500/2020/search/?fg500_country=Japan&non-us-cos-y-n=true|title=Fortune Global 500|accessdate=November 11, 2020|website=Fortune|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117130030/https://fortune.com/global500/2020/search/?fg500_country=Japan&non-us-cos-y-n=true|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/global2000/#2cb352db335d|title=The World's Largest Public Companies|work=Forbes|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=December 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221222151/http://www.forbes.com/global2000/#2cb352db335d|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Science and technology==
{{main|Science and technology in Japan}}
Japan is a leading nation in the fields of ], ], ] and ]. Nearly 700,000 researchers share a ]130 billion ] budget, the third largest in the world.<ref>McDonald, Joe. . ''BusinessWeek'' (]). Retrieved on ].</ref>


===Science and technology===
Some of Japan's more important technological contributions are found in the fields of ], ], ], ], ]s, ] and ]s. Japan leads the world in ], possessing more than half (402,200 of 742,500) of the world's industrial robots used for manufacturing.<ref> and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Press release ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> It also produced ], ], and ]. Japan is also home to six of the ] automobile manufacturers and seven of the ] ] sales leaders.
{{Main|History of science and technology in Japan|Science and technology in Japan|Video gaming in Japan|List of Japanese inventions and discoveries}}
] (Kibō) at the ]]]


Relative to gross domestic product, Japan's ] budget is the ] in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uis.unesco.org/apps/visualisations/research-and-development-spending/|publisher=UNESCO|title=How much does your country invest in R&D?|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123180417/http://uis.unesco.org/apps/visualisations/research-and-development-spending/|url-status=live}}</ref> with 867,000 researchers sharing a 19-trillion-yen research and development budget {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00388/japan%E2%80%99s-science-and-technology-research-spending-at-new-high.html|website=Nippon.com|date=February 19, 2019|title=Japan's Science and Technology Research Spending at New High|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303221423/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00388/japan%E2%80%99s-science-and-technology-research-spending-at-new-high.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has produced twenty-two ] in either physics, chemistry or medicine,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/lists/all-nobel-prizes/|publisher=Nobel Foundation|title=All Nobel Prizes|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813202249/https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/all/|url-status=live}}</ref> and three ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|publisher=International Mathematical Union|title=Fields Medal|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226015744/https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|url-status=live}}</ref>
Japan has significant plans in ], including building a ] by 2030.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan Plans Moon Base by 2030 |publisher=MoonDaily |date=2006-08-03 |url=http://www.moondaily.com/reports/Japan_Plans_Moon_Base_By_2030_999.html |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> The ] (JAXA) conducts space and planetary research, aviation research, and development of rockets and satellites. It also built the ], which is slated to be launched and added to the ] during ] assembly flights in 2007 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Homepage |publisher = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency|date=2006-08-03 |url=http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html |accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>

Japan leads the world in ] production and use, supplying 45% of the world's 2020 total;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wessling |first=Brianna |date=December 15, 2021 |title=10 most automated countries worldwide |url=https://www.therobotreport.com/10-most-automated-countries-wordlwide-in-2020/ |website=The Robot Report|archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818213733/https://www.therobotreport.com/10-most-automated-countries-wordlwide-in-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> down from 55% in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ifr.org/post/why-japan-leads-industrial-robot-production|title=Why Japan leads industrial robot production|publisher=International Federation of Robotics|date=December 17, 2018|last=Fujiwara|first=Hiroshi|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112002714/https://ifr.org/post/why-japan-leads-industrial-robot-production|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has the second highest number of researchers in science and technology per capita in the world with 14 per 1000 employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=64|publisher=UNESCO|title=Science, technology, and innovation: Researchers by sex, per million inhabitants, per thousand labour force, per thousand total employment (FTE and HC)|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205173957/http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=64|url-status=live}}</ref>

Once considered the strongest in the world, the ] is in a state of decline as regional competition arises in neighboring East Asian countries such as South Korea and China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/04/technology/japanese-companies-fall-toshiba-olympus-sanyo-sharp/index.html|website=CNN Money|last=Pham|first=Sherisse|date=May 4, 2017|title=How things got ugly for some of Japan's biggest brands|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204154837/https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/04/technology/japanese-companies-fall-toshiba-olympus-sanyo-sharp/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, ] remains a major industry. In 2014, Japan's consumer video game market grossed $9.6 billion, with $5.8 billion coming from mobile gaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamasutra.com/view/news/246644/Japans_game_market_hits_record_high_as_consoles_decline_and_mobile_grows.php|title=Japan's game market hits record high as consoles decline and mobile grows|first=Christian|last=Nutt|website=Gamasutra|date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173536/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/246644/Japans_game_market_hits_record_high_as_consoles_decline_and_mobile_grows.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2015, Japan had become the world's ] ] market by revenue, behind only ], the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=PC games revenue to hit $42 billion in 2020 – DFC|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-08-02-pc-games-revenue-to-hit-usd42-billion-in-2020-dfc|website=]|date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210180401/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-08-02-pc-games-revenue-to-hit-usd42-billion-in-2020-dfc|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ] is Japan's national ]; it conducts space, planetary, and aviation research, and leads development of rockets and satellites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/22672-japan-aerospace-exploration-agency.html|website=Space|first=Elizabeth|last=Howell|date=May 19, 2016|title=JAXA: Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111105102/https://www.space.com/22672-japan-aerospace-exploration-agency.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a participant in the ]: the ] (Kibō) was added to the station during ] assembly flights in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Homepage|publisher=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency|date=August 3, 2006|url=http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321160909/http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html|archivedate=March 21, 2007}}</ref> The ] '']'' was launched in 2010 and achieved orbit around Venus in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/akatsuki/in-depth/|publisher=NASA|title=Akatsuki|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195838/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/akatsuki/in-depth/|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan's plans in ] include building a ] and landing astronauts by 2030.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/japan-robots-build-moon-base.html|first=Elizabeth|last=Howell|date=April 7, 2019|website=Space|title=Can Robots Build a Moon Base for Astronauts? Japan Hopes to Find Out|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232039/https://www.space.com/japan-robots-build-moon-base.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, it launched lunar explorer ] (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) from ]. The largest lunar mission since the ], its purpose was to gather data on the ]. The explorer entered a lunar orbit on October 4, 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=15429|title=Japan Successfully Launches Lunar Explorer 'Kaguya'|publisher=Japan Corporate News Network|date=September 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430010519/http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=15429|archivedate=April 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm|title=Japan launches first lunar probe|work=BBC News|date=September 14, 2007|archive-date=May 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511101523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and was deliberately crashed into the Moon on June 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094863.stm|title=Japanese probe crashes into Moon|work=BBC News|date=June 11, 2009|archive-date=September 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930160652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094863.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
{{Main|Transport in Japan}}
], the ] of Japan]]
Japan has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19893379|work=BBC News|last=Wingfield-Hayes|first=Rupert|title=Japan's high-spending legacy|date=October 10, 2012|archive-date=August 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809172340/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19893379|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has approximately {{convert|comma=5|1200000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of roads made up of {{convert|comma=5|1000000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of city, town and village roads, {{convert|comma=5|130000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of prefectural roads, {{convert|comma=5|54736|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of general national highways and {{convert|comma=5|7641|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of ] {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s12544-017-0255-7|title=Japan's transport planning at the national level, natural disasters, and their interplays|year=2017|journal=European Transport Research Review|last=Shibayama|first=Takeru|volume=9|issue=3|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Since privatization in 1987,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/04/04/editorials/privatization-jnr-30-years/|website=The Japan Times|date=April 4, 2017|title=Privatization of JNR, 30 years on|archive-date=April 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404110226/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/04/04/editorials/privatization-jnr-30-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] compete in regional and local passenger transportation markets; major companies include seven ] enterprises, ], ] and ]. The high-speed ] (bullet trains) that connect major cities are known for their safety and punctuality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/can-japan-s-bullet-trains-get-back-up-to-speed|publisher=Bloomberg|date=October 7, 2020|last=Sieloff|first=Sarah|title=Japan's Bullet Trains Are Hitting a Speed Bump|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008005117/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/can-japan-s-bullet-trains-get-back-up-to-speed|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are ] {{as of|2021|lc=y}}.<ref name="cia" /> The largest domestic airport, ] in Tokyo, was Asia's ] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-busiest-airports-2019/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=April 22, 2019|last=Falcus|first=Matt|title=Asia's 9 busiest airports in 2019|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422235856/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-busiest-airports-2019/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Keihin and Hanshin superport hubs are among the largest in the world, at 7.98 and 5.22 million ] respectively {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports|publisher=World Shipping Council|title=Top 50 World Container Ports|accessdate=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119000412/https://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Energy===
{{Main|Energy in Japan}}
]]]
{{As of|2019}}, 37.1% of energy in Japan was produced from petroleum, 25.1% from coal, 22.4% from natural gas, 3.5% from ] and 2.8% from ], among other sources. Nuclear power was down from 11.2 percent in 2010.<ref>{{cite report|title=Statistical Handbook of Japan 2021|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.html|section=Chapter 7: Energy – 1. Supply and Demand|section-url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/pdf/2021all.pdf#page=93|pp=77, 79|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|accessdate=January 8, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120232017/http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By May 2012 all of ] had been taken offline because of ongoing public opposition following the ] in March 2011, though government officials continued to try to sway public opinion in favor of returning at least some to service.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tsukimori|first=Osamu|title=Japan nuclear power-free as last reactor shuts|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nuclear-japan-idUSBRE84405820120505|publisher=Reuters|date=May 5, 2012|archivedate=September 24, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163821/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/05/us-nuclear-japan-idUSBRE84405820120505|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] restarted in 2015,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-33858628/nuclear-power-back-in-japan-for-first-time-since-fukushima|title=Nuclear power back in Japan for the first time since Fukushima|work=BBC News|date=August 11, 2015|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801113235/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-33858628/nuclear-power-back-in-japan-for-first-time-since-fukushima|url-status=live}}</ref> and since then several other nuclear power plants have been restarted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsmixed-progress-for-japans-nuclear-plant-restarts-7887062|work=Nuclear Engineering International|date=April 23, 2020|title=Mixed progress for Japan's nuclear plant restarts|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609023614/https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsmixed-progress-for-japans-nuclear-plant-restarts-7887062|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan lacks significant domestic reserves and has a heavy dependence on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A-Review-of-the-Evolution-of-the-Japanese-Oil-Industry-Oil-Policy-and-its-Relationship-with-the-Middle-East-WPM-76.pdf|pages=5–12|title=A Review of the Evolution of the Japanese Oil Industry, Oil Policy and its Relationship with the Middle East|date=April 2018|publisher=Oxford Institute for Energy Studies|last=Thorarinsson|first=Loftur|archive-date=April 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410013607/https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A-Review-of-the-Evolution-of-the-Japanese-Oil-Industry-Oil-Policy-and-its-Relationship-with-the-Middle-East-WPM-76.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has therefore aimed to diversify its sources and maintain high levels of energy efficiency.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Japan's 2014 Strategic Energy Plan: A Planned Energy System Transition|doi=10.1155/2017/4107614|last1=Kucharski|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Unesaki|first2=Hironobu|year=2017|journal=Journal of Energy|volume=2017|pages=1–13|doi-access=free}}</ref>


==Demographics== ==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Japan|Japanese people|Ethnic groups of Japan|List of metropolitan areas in Japan|List of cities in Japan}}
], an example of Tokyo's often crowded streets.]]
]. The ] is ranked as the ] in the world.]]
] at ], Kyoto.]]
Japan has a population of almost 125 million, of whom nearly 122 million are Japanese nationals (2022 estimates).<ref name="November 2020 population estimate">{{cite web|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|title=Population Estimates Monthly Report November 2020|date=June 20, 2019|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|accessdate=April 29, 2021|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405030144/https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A small population of foreign residents makes up the remainder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190710/p2g/00m/0dm/075000c|title=Japan population drops by record number to 124.8 mil.: gov't|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2019|website=The Mainichi|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711174837/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190710/p2g/00m/0dm/075000c|archivedate= July 11, 2019}}</ref>
{{main|Demographics of Japan|Japanese language|Religion in Japan}}
Japan is the world's ] and has the highest proportion of ] of any country, comprising ];<ref name="EUAgeing">{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/659419/EPRS_BRI(2020)659419_EN.pdf|title=Japan's ageing society|publisher=]|last=D'Ambrogio|first=Enrico|date=December 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216060510/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/659419/EPRS_BRI(2020)659419_EN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> this is the result of a ], which was followed by an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in ]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/05/national/numbers-tell-tale-japans-postwar-rise-fall/|website=The Japan Times|title=Numbers tell tale of Japan's postwar rise and fall|last=Yoshida|first=Reiji|date=January 5, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107180452/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/05/national/numbers-tell-tale-japans-postwar-rise-fall/|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has a ] of 1.4, which is below the ] of 2.1, and is among the world's ];<ref>{{cite report|last=Noriko|first=Tsuya|title=Low fertility in Japan—no end in sight|pages=1–4|volume=131|date=June 2017|publisher=]|url=https://www.eastwestcenter.org/system/tdf/private/api131.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=36147|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702014801/https://www.eastwestcenter.org/system/tdf/private/api131.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=36147|url-status=dead}}</ref> it has a ] of 48.4, the ] in the world.<ref name="IMFAgeing">{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/10/na021020-japan-demographic-shift-opens-door-to-reforms|title=Japan: Demographic Shift Opens Door to Reforms|publisher=]|date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212164106/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/10/na021020-japan-demographic-shift-opens-door-to-reforms|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2020}}, over 28.7 percent of the population is over 65, or more than one in four out of the Japanese population.<ref name="EUAgeing"/> As a growing number of younger Japanese are not marrying or remaining childless,<ref name="Walia">{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/11/19/commentary/japan-commentary/economic-challenge-japans-aging-crisis/|website=The Japan Times|title=The economic challenge of Japan's aging crisis|last=Walia|first=Simran|date=November 19, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119155159/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/11/19/commentary/japan-commentary/economic-challenge-japans-aging-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/07/japan-mystery-low-birth-rate/534291/|website=The Atlantic|title=The Mystery of Why Japanese People Are Having So Few Babies|last=Semuels|first=Alana|date=July 20, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720214203/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/07/japan-mystery-low-birth-rate/534291/|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan's population is expected to drop to around 88 million by 2065.<ref name="EUAgeing"/>
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=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-01-05}}</ref> For the most part, Japanese society is ] and culturally homogeneous with only small populations of foreign workers, ]s, ], ], and others. Japan also has indigenous ]s such as the ] and ], and social minority groups such as the '']''.


The changes in demographic structure have created several social issues, particularly a decline in the workforce population and an increase in the cost of social security benefits.<ref name=Walia/> The Government of Japan projects that there will be almost one elderly person for each person of working age by 2060.<ref name="IMFAgeing"/> ] and birth incentives are sometimes suggested as a solution to provide younger workers to support the nation's aging population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/health/japan-child-population-record-low-intl/index.html|publisher=CNN|last1=Wakatsuki|first1=Yoko|last2=Griffiths|first2=James|date=May 7, 2018|title=Number of children in Japan shrinks to new record low|archive-date=May 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507083400/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/health/japan-child-population-record-low-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-more-seniors-more-foreigners-how-japan-is-rapidly-changing|publisher=BBC|title=More seniors, more foreigners: How Japan is changing|last=Lufkin|first=Bryan|date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727073218/https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-more-seniors-more-foreigners-how-japan-is-rapidly-changing|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 1, 2019, Japan's revised immigration law was enacted, protecting the rights of foreign workers to help reduce labor shortages in certain sectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=New immigration rules to stir up Japan's regional rentals scene&nbsp;— if they work|url=https://www.rethinktokyo.com/2019/03/27/new-immigration-visa-rules-japan-foreign-workers|website= REthink Tokyo|date=March 27, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702124120/https://www.rethinktokyo.com/2019/03/27/new-immigration-visa-rules-japan-foreign-workers|archivedate=July 2, 2019}}</ref>
Japan has one of the highest ] 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=] |date=] |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> However, the Japanese population is rapidly aging, the effect of ] followed by a decrease in births in the latter part of the twentieth 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>


In 2022, 92% of the total Japanese population lived in cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|title=Urban population (% of total population)|accessdate=November 19, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121222411/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> The capital city, Tokyo, has a population of 13.9 million (2022).<ref name="toukei-metro">{{cite web|url=http://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.jp/jsuikei/js-index.htm|script-title=ja:東京都の人口(推計)|trans-title=Population of Tokyo (estimate)|publisher=Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Statistics Department|accessdate=October 22, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002162446/http://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.jp/jsuikei/js-index.htm|archivedate=October 2, 2018}}</ref> It is part of the ], the ] in the world with 37.4 million people (2024).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cutmore |first=James |date=2024-12-05 |title=Top 14 largest cities in the world |url=https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/in-pictures-the-largest-cities-in-the-world |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Japan is an ethnically and culturally ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apjjf.org/-Chris-Burgess/2389/article.html|last=Burgess|first=Chris|title=Multicultural Japan? Discourse and the 'Myth' of Homogeneity|date=March 1, 2007|volume=5|issue=3|journal=The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|archive-date=November 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124154805/https://apjjf.org/-Chris-Burgess/2389/article.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with the ] forming 97.4% of the country's population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population Estimates by Age (Five-Year Groups) and Sex|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|publisher=]|accessdate=September 10, 2024}}</ref> Minority ethnic groups in the country include the indigenous ] and ].<ref>{{cite journal|author=Japanese Archipelago Human Population Genetics Consortium|title=The history of human populations in the Japanese Archipelago inferred from genome-wide SNP data with a special reference to the Ainu and the Ryukyuan populations|journal=Journal of Human Genetics|volume=57|pages=787–795|year=2012|issue=12|doi=10.1038/jhg.2012.114|pmid=23135232|doi-access=free}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/06/13/zainichi-being-korean-in-japan/|publisher=Al Jazeera|title=Zainichi: Being Korean in Japan|last1=Ambrose|first1=Drew|last2=Armont|first2=Rhiona-Jade|date=June 13, 2018|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128055446/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/06/13/zainichi-being-korean-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|doi=10.1007/978-0-387-29904-4_70|title=Chinese in Japan|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Diasporas|last=Chen|first=Lara Tien-shi|year=2005|pages=680–688|isbn=978-0-306-48321-9}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite journal|title='Mixed' Japanese-Filipino identities under Japanese multiculturalism|journal=Social Identities|last=Seiger|first=Fiona-Katharina|pages=392–407|doi=10.1080/13504630.2018.1499225|volume=25|issue=3|year=2019|doi-access=free}}</ref> Brazilians mostly ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-33114120|work=BBC News|title=The Brazilians winning in Japan|date=July 17, 2015|last=Tobace|first=Ewerthon|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814090917/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-33114120|url-status=live}}</ref> and Peruvians mostly ] are also among Japan's small minority groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00054/|last=Escala|first=Elard|website=Nippon.com|title=Peruvians Struggling to Find a Place in Japanese Society|date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213181022/https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00054/|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' make up a social minority group.<ref>{{cite news|title=Japan's hidden caste of untouchables|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34615972|work=BBC News|date=October 23, 2015|archive-date=September 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902111214/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34615972|url-status=live}}</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 ]. It is also noted that many Japanese youth are increasingly preferring not to ] 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"/> Demographers and government planners are currently in a heated debate over how to cope with this problem.<ref name="Ogawa">Ogawa, Naohiro. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Transcript of speech delieved on (], ]). Retrieved on ] ].</ref> ] 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| author= Hidenori Sakanaka| publisher=Japan Immigration Policy Institute |date=] |accessdate=2007-01-05}}</ref> Immigration, however, is not popular.<ref>French, Howard. "]" (]). Retrieved on ].</ref>


{{Largest cities of Japan}}
Around 84% of Japanese people profess to believe both ] (the indigenous religion of Japan) and ].<ref name="ciapeople">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#People |title=World Factbook; Japan - People |publisher=] |date=] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> Buddhism, ] and ] from China have significantly influenced Japanese beliefs and mythology. Religion in Japan tends to be ] in nature, and this results in a variety of practices, such as parents and children celebrating ] rituals, students praying before exams, couples holding a wedding at a ] ] and funerals being held at ] temples. A minority (0.7%) profess to ].<ref name="ciapeople"/> In addition, since the mid-19th century, numerous religious sects ('']'') have emerged in Japan.


===Languages===
About 99% of the population speaks ] as their first language.<ref name="ciapeople"> It is an ] distinguished by a system of ] reflecting the ] nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular vocabulary which indicate the relative status of speaker and listener. Japanese has borrowed or derived large amounts of vocabulary from ] and, since the end of World War II, ]. The ] uses ] (]s) and two sets of ] (] based on simplified Chinese characters), as well as the ] and ]. The ], also part of the ] to which Japanese belongs, are spoken in ], but few children learn these languages.<ref>言語学大辞典セレクション:日本列島の言語 (''Selection from the Encyclopædia of Linguistics: The Languages of the Japanese Archipelago''). "琉球列島の言語" (''The Languages of the Ryukyu Islands''). 三省堂 1997</ref> The ] is ], with only a few elderly ] remaining in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/works/culture/japan_story.html |title=15 familes keep ancient language alive in Japan |publisher=] | accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiana.edu/~japan/digest5.html |title=Japan Digest: Japanese Education |date=2005-09-01 |author= Lucien Ellington|publisher=Indiana University |accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>
{{Main|Languages of Japan}}
]'' and '']'' signs]]
The ] is Japan's ''de facto'' national language and the primary written and spoken language of most people in the country.<ref name="LangPolicy">{{Cite book |last=Fujita-Round |first=Sachiyo |title=Language Policy and Political Issues in Education |last2=Maher |first2=John C. |date=2017 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-319-02343-4 |editor-last=McCarty |editor-first=Teresa L. |edition=3rd |series=Encyclopedia of Language and Education |pages=491–505 |chapter=Language Policy and Education in Japan |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-02344-1_36 |editor-last2=May |editor-first2=Stephen |chapter-url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-02344-1_36}}</ref> ] uses ] (]s) and two sets of ] (] based on ] and ] used by kanji), as well as the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Miyagawa|first=Shigeru|title=The Japanese Language|url=http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/articles/JapaneseLanguage.html|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology|accessdate=January 16, 2011|archive-date=April 13, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000413210711/http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/articles/JapaneseLanguage.html|url-status=live}}</ref> English has taken a major role in Japan as a business and international ], and is a compulsory subject at the junior and senior high school levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://education.jnto.go.jp/en/school-in-japan/japanese-education-system/|title=Japanese Educational System|accessdate=November 4, 2024|publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization}}</ref> ] is the primary ] used in Japan and has gained some official recognition, but its usage has been historically hindered by discriminatory policies and a lack of educational support.<ref name="LangPolicy"/>


Besides Japanese, the ] (], ], ], ], ], ]), part of the ], are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands chain.<ref>{{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Mark|chapter=Language shift in the Ryukyu Islands|pages=370–388|title=Routledge Handbook of Japanese Sociolinguistics|editor=Heinrich, Patrick|editor2=Ohara, Yumiko|year=2019|isbn=978-1-315-21337-8|publisher=Routledge}}</ref> Few children learn these languages,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fujita-Round|first1=Sachiyo|last2=Maher|first2=John|chapter=Language Policy and Education in Japan|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-02320-5_36-2|editor-last1=McCarty|editor-first1=T|editor-last2=May|editor-first2=S|title=Language Policy and Political Issues in Education|year=2017|publisher=Springer|pages=1–15|isbn=978-3-319-02320-5}}</ref> but local governments have sought to increase awareness of the traditional languages.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Language Revitalization Efforts in the Ryukyus|last=Ishihara|first=Masahide|pages=67–82|year=2016|title=Self-determinable Development of Small Islands|publisher=Springer|editor=Ishihara, Masahide|editor2=Hoshino, Eiichi|editor3=Fujita, Yoko|isbn=978-981-10-0132-1}}</ref> The ], which is a ], is ], with only a few native speakers remaining {{as of|2014|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite book|page=1058|chapter=The ethnohistory and anthropology of 'modern' hunter-gatherers: north Japan (Ainu)|last=Hudson|first=Mark|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2014|isbn=978-0-19-955122-4|title=The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Hunter-Gatherers|editor=Cummings, Vicki|editor2=Jordan, Peter|editor3=Zvelebil, Marek}}</ref> Additionally, a number of other languages are taught and used by ethnic minorities, immigrant communities, and a growing number of foreign-language students, such as ] (including a distinct ]), ] and ].<ref name="LangPolicy"/>
==Education and health==
{{main|Education in Japan|Health care in Japan}}
Primary, secondary schools and universities were introduced into Japan in 1872 as a result of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fpri.org/footnotes/087.200312.ellington.japaneseeducation.html |title=Beyond the Rhetoric: Essential Questions About Japanese Education |author=Lucien Ellington|publisher=Foreign Policy Research Institute |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> Since 1947, compulsory education in Japan consists of ] and ], which lasts for nine years (from age 6 to age 15). Almost all children continue their education at a three-year senior ], and, according to the ], about 75.9% of high school graduates attend a ], ], trade school, or other post-secondary institution in ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mext.go.jp/english/statist/05101901/005.pdf |title= School Education |publisher= ] | format = ] | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Japan's education is very competitive,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/international/226.html?newsstoryid=1568 |title=Rethinking Japanese education |author=Kate Rossmanith|publisher=The University of Sydney |date=]| accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> especially for entrance to institutions of higher education. According to ] the two top-ranking universities in Japan are the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alnaja7.org/success/Education/times_world_ranking_2005.pdf |title=The Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings |date=] |publisher= TSL Education Ltd. |format = ] | accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>


===Religion===
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 |author=Victor Rodwin|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ipss.go.jp/s-info/e/Jasos/Health.html |title=Health Insurance: General Characteristics |publisher=National Institute of Population and Social Security Research |accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref>
{{Main|Religion in Japan}}
] of ] near ]]]
Japan's constitution guarantees full religious freedom.<ref name="Inoue2007">{{cite book|first=Kyoko|last=Inoue|title=MacArthur's Japanese Constitution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ffeE989AWrAC&pg=PA132|year=2007|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-38391-0|pages=132–133|edition=2nd}}</ref> Upper estimates suggest that 84–96 percent of the Japanese population subscribe to ] as its indigenous religion.<ref>{{cite web|title=A View of Religion in Japan|url=https://www.japansociety.org/a_view_of_religion_in_japan|accessdate=January 29, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123023617/http://www.japansociety.org/a_view_of_religion_in_japan|archivedate=January 23, 2016|last=McQuaid|first=John|publisher=Japan Society}}</ref> However, these estimates are based on people ] with a temple, rather than the number of true believers. Many Japanese people practice both Shinto and ]; they can identify with both religions or describe themselves as non-religious or spiritual.<ref>{{cite web|title=How religious are Japanese people?|url=https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/how-religious-are-japanese-people|date=October 27, 2013|website=Japan Today|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223021631/https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/how-religious-are-japanese-people|url-status=live}}</ref> The level of participation in religious ceremonies as a cultural tradition remains high, especially during ] and occasions such as the ] of the ].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Women between Religion and Spirituality: Observing Religious Experience in Everyday Japanese Life|last=Cavaliere|first=Paola|journal=Religions|year=2019|volume=10|issue=6|page=377|doi=10.3390/rel10060377|doi-access=free}}</ref> ] and ] from China have also influenced Japanese beliefs and customs.<ref name="Totman 2005"/>


Today, 1%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/japan-unesco-hidden-christian-persecution-world-heritage.html|website=Christianity Today|title=Why Japan Wants Its Past Persecution of Christians to Be World Renowned|last=Shellnutt|first=Kate|date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143743/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/japan-unesco-hidden-christian-persecution-world-heritage.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to 1.5% of the population are ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.bunka.go.jp/tokei_hakusho_shuppan/hakusho_nenjihokokusho/shukyo_nenkan/pdf/r01nenkan.pdf#page=49|title=Shūkyō nenkan reiwa gan'nen-ban|publisher=]|year=2019|page=35|language=ja|script-title=ja:宗教年鑑 令和元年版|trans-title=Religious Yearbook 2019|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225124108/https://www.bunka.go.jp/tokei_hakusho_shuppan/hakusho_nenjihokokusho/shukyo_nenkan/pdf/r01nenkan.pdf#page=49|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the latest century, Western customs originally related to Christianity (including ], ] and ]) have become popular as secular customs among many Japanese.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kato|first=Mariko|title=Christianity's long history in the margins|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=February 24, 2009}}</ref>
{{clear}}

About 90% of those practicing ] are foreign-born migrants {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2016/07/13/issues/shadow-surveillance-looms-japans-muslims/|website=The Japan Times|title=Shadow of surveillance looms over Japan's Muslims|last=Blakkarly|first=Jarni|date=July 13, 2016|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205035509/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2016/07/13/issues/shadow-surveillance-looms-japans-muslims/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2018}} there were an estimated 105 ]s and 200,000 Muslims in Japan, 43,000 of which were Japanese nationals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191128/p2a/00m/0fe/014000c|website=The Mainichi|date=November 29, 2019|title=No. of Muslims, mosques on the rise in Japan amid some misconceptions, prejudice|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210235636/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191128/p2a/00m/0fe/014000c|url-status=live}}</ref> Other minority religions include ], ], and ], as well as the ] beliefs of the Ainu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JAPAN-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf|publisher=US Department of State|title=Japan 2018 International Religious Freedom Report|accessdate=November 20, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128074718/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JAPAN-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in Japan}}
] to the ]]]

Since the 1947 ], compulsory education in Japan comprises ] and ], which together last for nine years.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.jica.go.jp/jica-ri/IFIC_and_JBICI-Studies/english/publications/reports/study/topical/educational/pdf/educational_02.pdf|page=23|chapter=The Modernization and Development of Education in Japan|publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute|date=March 2004|title=The History of Japan's Educational Development|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105093000/https://www.jica.go.jp/jica-ri/IFIC_and_JBICI-Studies/english/publications/reports/study/topical/educational/pdf/educational_02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Almost all children continue their education at a three-year ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/japan-overview/japan-instructional-systems/|publisher=Center on International Education Benchmarking|title=Japan: Learning Systems|accessdate=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127083408/https://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/japan-overview/japan-instructional-systems/|url-status=live}}</ref> The top-ranking university in the country is the ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=jp | title=QS World University Rankings – 2025 | publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited | access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> Starting in April 2016, various schools began the academic year with elementary school and junior high school integrated into one nine-year compulsory schooling program; ] plans for this approach to be adopted nationwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/10/national/compulsory-nine-year-school-system-kicks-off-japan/|title=Compulsory nine-year school system kicks off in Japan|date=June 10, 2016|newspaper=The Japan Times|archive-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021063018/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/10/national/compulsory-nine-year-school-system-kicks-off-japan|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ] (PISA) coordinated by the OECD ranks the knowledge and skills of Japanese 15-year-olds as the third best in the world.<ref name="OECD Student performance">{{cite web|title=Japan&nbsp;– Student performance (PISA 2015)|publisher=OECD|url=http://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=PI|accessdate=December 6, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922235259/https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=PI|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan is one of the top-performing ] countries in reading literacy, math, and sciences with the average student scoring 520 and has one of the world's highest-educated labor forces among OECD countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nier.go.jp/kokusai/pisa/pdf/2018/01_point-eng.pdf|title=Key Features of OECD Programme for International Student Assessment 2018 (PISA 2018)|page=2|publisher=]|accessdate=September 1, 2022|archive-date=May 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509072224/https://www.nier.go.jp/kokusai/pisa/pdf/2018/01_point-eng.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="OECD Student performance" /><ref>{{cite web|title=PISA&nbsp;– Results in Focus – Japan|publisher=OECD|url=https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA2018_CN_JPN.pdf|page=1|accessdate=December 6, 2020|year=2018|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203151025/https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA2018_CN_JPN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It spent 7.4% of its total GDP on education {{as of|2021|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS?locations=JP|title=Government expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure) – Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=September 7, 2022|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202163842/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, the country ranked third for the percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds that have attained tertiary education with 55.6%.<ref name="OECD GPS Education">{{cite web|url=https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=EO|title=Japan|publisher=OECD|accessdate=January 29, 2023|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815110716/https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=EO|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 65% of Japanese aged 25 to 34 have some form of tertiary education qualification, with bachelor's degrees being held by 34.2% of Japanese aged 25 to 64, the second most in the OECD after ].<ref name="OECD GPS Education" /> Japanese women are more highly educated than the men: 59 percent of women possess a university degree, compared to 52 percent of men.<ref>{{cite web|title=Womenomics, Will women help solve Japan's economic problems?|publisher=]|url=https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/sites/default/files/2019-10/Japan%20-%20Womenomics%20-V3-October%202019.pdf|page=4|year=2019|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027141529/https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/sites/default/files/2019-10/Japan%20-%20Womenomics%20-V3-October%202019.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Health===
{{Main|Health in Japan|Health care system in Japan}}
]]]
Health care in Japan is provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health 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.<ref name="Ikegami2014">{{cite book|first=Naoki|last=Ikegami|title=Universal Health Coverage for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6m1BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA16|date=October 14, 2014|publisher=World Bank Publications|isbn=978-1-4648-0408-3|pages=16–17}}</ref> Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyu.edu/projects/rodwin/lessons.html|first=Victor|last=Rodwin|title=Health Care in Japan|publisher=New York University|accessdate=March 10, 2007|archive-date=June 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619212526/https://www.nyu.edu/projects/rodwin/lessons.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Japan spent 10.82% of its total GDP on healthcare in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=JP|title=Current healthcare expenditure (% of GDP): Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725125322/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the overall life expectancy in Japan at birth was 85 years (82 years for men and 88 years for women),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|title=Life expectancy at birth, male (years)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=August 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|title=Life expectancy at birth, female (years)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=August 21, 2024}}</ref> the ] in the world;<ref>{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth, total|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501205550/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020|url-status=live}}</ref> while it had a very low ] (2 per 1,000 ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=JP|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births): Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725125128/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=JP|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1981, the principal cause of death in Japan is ], which accounted for 27% of the total deaths in 2018—followed by ]s, which led to 15% of the deaths.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tsugane|first=Shoichiro|title=Why has Japan become the world's most long-lived country: insights from a food and nutrition perspective|date=July 2020|volume=75|pages=921–928|doi=10.1038/s41430-020-0677-5|journal=]|doi-access=free}}</ref> Japan has one of the world's ], which is considered a major social issue.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Cultural influences on suicide in Japan|last1=Russell|first1=Roxanne|last2=Metraux|first2=Daniel|last3=Tohen|first3=Mauricio|journal=Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences|doi=10.1111/pcn.12428|volume=71|year=2017|issue=1|pages=2–5|pmid=27487762|doi-access=free}}</ref> Another significant public health issue is ].<ref>{{cite journal|doi= 10.1016/j.je.2016.12.017|last1=Akter|first1=Shamima|last2=Goto|first2=Atsushi|last3=Mizoue|first3=Tetsuya|title=Smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Japan: A systematic review and meta-analysis|journal=Journal of Epidemiology|year=2017|volume=27|issue=12|pages=553–561|doi-access=free}}</ref> Japan has the lowest rate of heart disease in the OECD, and the lowest level of ] among developed countries.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Britnell|first1=Mark|title=In Search of the Perfect Health System|date=2015|publisher=Palgrave|isbn=978-1-137-49661-4|page=18}}</ref>


==Culture== ==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Japan}}
]'' (1832), an '']'' from '']'' by ].]]
{{See also|Japanese popular culture}}
{{main|Culture of Japan}}
Contemporary Japanese culture combines influences from Asia, Europe, and North America.<ref name="Haffner">{{Cite book|title=Japan's Open Future: An Agenda for Global Citizenship|last1=Haffner|first1=John|last2=Klett|first2=Tomas|last3=Lehmann|first3=Jean-Pierre|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84331-311-3|page=17}}</ref> Traditional Japanese arts include ] such as ], ], ], ] and ]; performances of ], ], ], ], and ]; and other practices, the ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Japan has a developed system for the protection and promotion of both tangible and intangible ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html|title=Administration of Cultural Affairs in Japan|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|accessdate=May 11, 2011|archive-date=October 31, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021031062304/http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, eighteen of which are of cultural significance.<ref name="unesco1">{{cite web |title=Japan |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805220232/http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/JP/ |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |accessdate=December 11, 2020 |publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> Japan is considered a ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2002/jun/01/artsfeatures.features|title=The other superpower|work=]|date=June 1, 2001|archive-date=November 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121170416/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2002/jun/01/artsfeatures.features|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/2015/01/how-japan-became-a-pop-culture-superpower/|title=How Japan became a pop culture superpower|date=January 31, 2015|website=The Spectator|last=Hoskin|first=Peter|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210190111/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2015/01/how-japan-became-a-pop-culture-superpower/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title='Pure Invention': How Japan's pop culture became the 'lingua franca' of the internet|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/18/books/pure-invention-jpop-culture/|work=]|date=July 18, 2020|last=Schley|first=Matt|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214054619/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/18/books/pure-invention-jpop-culture/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=How Japan's global image morphed from military empire to eccentric pop-culture superpower|url=https://qz.com/1806376/japans-image-has-changed-from-fierce-to-lovable-over-the-decades/amp/|work=]|date=May 27, 2020|last=Bain|first=Marc|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021121139/https://qz.com/1806376/japans-image-has-changed-from-fierce-to-lovable-over-the-decades/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Japanese ] has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original ] culture to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from ], ] and ]. Traditional ]s include ] (], ], ], ], ]ware, ]), performances (], ], ], ], ]), traditions (], ], ], ], ], ]) and ]. The fusion of traditional ] and Western art led to the creation of ], a typically Japanese ] format that is now popular within and outside Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnp.co.jp/museum/nmp/nmp_i/articles/manga/manga1.html |title= A History of Manga |publisher=NMP International |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> Manga-influenced ] for television and film is called ]. Japanese-made ] have prospered since the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hov/index.html |title= The History of Video Games |author= Leonard Herman, Jer Horwitz, Steve Kent, and Skyler Miller|publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>


===Art and architecture===
] is eclectic, having borrowed instruments, scales, and styles from neighboring cultures. Many instruments, such as the ], were introduced in the ninth and tenth centuries. The accompanied ] of the ] drama dates from the fourteenth century and the popular folk music, with the guitar-like ], from the sixteenth.<ref>Japanese Culture, The Concise ], 1983 edition, © ] ISBN 0-380-63396-5</ref> ], introduced in the late nineteenth century, now forms an integral part of the culture. Post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European modern music, which has led to the evolution of popular band music called ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1550807,00.html |title= J-Pop History |publisher=]| accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>
{{Main|Japanese art}}
{{Further|Japanese architecture|Japanese garden|Japanese esthetics|Japanese painting|Japanese sculpture}}
{{multiple image
|total_width = 320
|caption1 = ]'s 19th-century ] ] '']''
|caption2 = ], one of the most famous strolling gardens in Japan
|direction = horizontal
|image1 = The Great Wave off Kanagawa.jpg
|image2 = 150504 Ritsurin Park Takamatsu Kagawa pref Japan01s3.jpg
}}
The history of Japanese painting exhibits synthesis and competition between native Japanese esthetics and imported ideas.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite book|last=Arrowsmith|first=Rupert Richard|title=Modernism and the Museum: Asian, African, and Pacific Art and the London Avant-Garde|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-959369-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MIBNXScRj3QC}}</ref> The interaction between Japanese and European art has been significant: for example ] prints, which began to be exported in the 19th century in the movement known as ], had a significant influence on the development of modern art in the West, most notably on ].<ref name=autogenerated3 />


Japanese architecture is a combination of local and other influences. It has traditionally been typified by wooden or mud plaster structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njnRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT26|pages=26–27|title=Traditional Japanese Architecture: An Exploration of Elements and Forms|last=Locher|first=Mira|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4629-0606-2}}</ref> ] and many ] see the use of ] mats and ] that break down the distinction between rooms and indoor and outdoor space.<ref>{{cite book|title=What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture with a List of Sites and a Map|author1=Kazuo, Nishi|author2=Kazuo, Hozumi|year=1995|publisher=Kodansha|isbn=978-4-7700-1992-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oZl_yEJGtUYC}}</ref> Since the 19th century, Japan has incorporated much of Western ] into construction and design.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Early Western Architecture in Japan|last=Abe|first=K|volume=13|issue=2|journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians|pages=13–18|date=May 1954|doi=10.2307/987685|jstor=987685}}</ref> It was not until after World War II that Japanese architects made an impression on the international scene, firstly with the work of architects like ] and then with movements like ].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Inagaki|first=Eizo|title=Japan: Architecture after 1868 (Meiji and after)|doi=10.1093/oao/9781884446054.013.90000369666|year=2003|encyclopedia=Oxford Art Online}}</ref>
The earliest works of ] include two history books the '']'' and the '']'', and the eighth century poetry book '']'', all written in Chinese characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/2000/200015.htm |title= Asian Studies Conference, Japan (2000) |publisher=Meiji Gakuin University |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> In the early days of the ], the system of transcription known as ''kana'' (] and ]) was created as phonograms. '']'' 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 '']'' written by ], while '']'' by ] is often described as the world's first novel. During the ], literature became not so much the field of the samurai aristocracy as that of the ], the ordinary people. ], 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. ] and ] were the first "modern" novelists of Japan, followed by ], ], ], ] and, more recently, ]. Japan has two ] authors — ] (1968) and ] (1994).<ref name="ispmsu"/>


==Sports and recreation== ===Literature and philosophy===
{{Main|Japanese literature|Japanese poetry|Japanese philosophy}}
], a traditional Japanese sport.]]
] of '']'', a ]]]
{{main|Sport in Japan}}
The earliest works of Japanese literature include the {{Lang|ja-latn|]}} and {{Lang|ja-latn|]}} chronicles and the {{lang|ja-latn|]}} ], all from the 8th century and written in Chinese characters.<ref>{{cite book|title=Seeds in the Heart: Japanese Literature from Earliest Times to the Late Sixteenth Century|author=Keene, Donald|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2000|isbn=978-0-231-11441-7|url={{Google books|_DEwTJq3TbcC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/2000/200015.htm|title=Asian Studies Conference, Japan (2000)|publisher=Meiji Gakuin University|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116015033/http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/2000/200015.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the early Heian period, the system of ] known as ''kana'' (] and ]) was developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/heia/hd_heia.htm|publisher=The Met|title=Heian Period (794–1185)|date=October 2002}}</ref> '']'' is considered the oldest extant Japanese narrative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://calisphere.org/item/35b0ea2b3cd767b5ae9e0df7b07f43db/|website=Calisphere|title=Tale of the bamboo cutter|accessdate=November 23, 2020}}</ref> An account of court life is given in '']'' by ], while '']'' by ] is often described as the world's first novel.<ref>{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=126–127|url={{Google books|Z_a_QgAACAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Tale of Genji|editor=Royall, Tyler|publisher=Penguin Classics|year=2003|isbn=978-0-14-243714-8|pages=i–ii, xii|url={{Google books|AIUvc9FnZ5AC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref>
Traditionally, ] is considered Japan's ] and is one of its most popular.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html |title=Sumo: East and West |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> ] such as ], ] and ] are also widely practiced in the country. After the Meiji Restoration, many Western sports were introduced in Japan and began to spread through the education system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/facts/culture_dailylife.html#sports |title=Culture and Daily Life |publisher=Embassy of Japan in the UK |accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>


During the Edo period, the ] ("townspeople") overtook the samurai aristocracy as producers and consumers of literature. The popularity of the works of ], for example, reveals this change in readership and authorship, while ] revivified the poetic tradition of the ] with his ] (]) and wrote the poetic travelogue '']''.<ref>{{cite book|title=World Within Walls: Japanese Literature of the Pre-Modern Era, 1600–1867|author=Keene, Donald|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0-231-11467-7|url={{Google books|gwQTF-9axqoC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}</ref> The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms as Japanese literature integrated Western influences. ] and ] were significant novelists in the early 20th century, followed by ], ], ] and, more recently, ] and ]. Japan has two ] authors&nbsp;– ] (1968) and ] (1994).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Japanese literature|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|last=Keene|first=Donald|url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-literature|accessdate=July 7, 2024}}</ref>
] is the most popular ] in Japan and the ] was established in 1936.<ref>{{cite book |author=Nagata, Yoichi and Holway, John B. |editor=Pete Palmer |title=Total Baseball |edition=fourth edition |year=1995 |publisher=Viking Press |location=New York |pages=547 |chapter=Japanese Baseball}}</ref> One of the most famous Japanese baseball players is ], who, having won Japan's Most Valuable Player award in 1994, 1995 and 1996, now plays in North American ]. Since the establishment of a ] in 1992, ] has also gained a wide following.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tjf.or.jp/takarabako/PDF/TB09_JCN.pdf |title= Soccer as a Popular Sport: Putting Down Roots in Japan |publisher= The Japan Forum |format = ] | accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> Japan was a venue of the ] from 1981 to 2004 and co-hosted the ] with ].


Japanese philosophy has historically been a ] of both foreign, particularly ] and ], and uniquely Japanese elements. In its literary forms, Japanese philosophy began about fourteen centuries ago. Confucian ideals remain evident in the ] and the self, and in the organization of the government and the structure of society.<ref name="Japanese Confucian Philosophy">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-confucian/|title=Japanese Confucian Philosophy|date=May 20, 2008|encyclopedia=]}}</ref> Buddhism has profoundly impacted Japanese psychology, metaphysics, and esthetics.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/japanese-aesthetics/|title=Japanese aesthetics|first=Graham|last=Parkes|editor-first=Edward N.|editor-last=Zalta|date=January 1, 2011|encyclopedia=Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy}}</ref>
] is popular in Japan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/604/sports.asp |title= Japanese Golf Gets Friendly |publisher=] |author=Fred Varcoe|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> as is ], the ] sports car series and ] formula racing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/623/sports.asp |title= Japanese Omnibus: Sports |publisher=] |author=Len Clarke|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>


===Performing arts===
Every year, Japan observes the second Monday in October as ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/holidays/Oct/taiikunohi.shtml |title=Taiiku-no-hi (Health Sports Day) |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> The date, originally October 10, commemorates the opening day of the ] in Tokyo. Other major sporting events that Japan has hosted include the ] in ] and the ] in ].
{{Main|Music of Japan|Theatre of Japan}}
]'' performance at a Shinto shrine]]
Japanese music is eclectic and diverse. Many ], such as the ], were introduced in the 9th and 10th centuries. The popular ], with the guitar-like ], dates from the 16th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Malm|first=William P.|title=Traditional Japanese music and musical instruments|year=2000|publisher=Kodansha International|isbn=978-4-7700-2395-7|pages=|edition=New|url=https://archive.org/details/traditionaljapan0000malm/page/31}}</ref> Western classical music, introduced in the late 19th century, forms an integral part of Japanese culture.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Katsu Watanabe, Akane Oki, and Yasushi Ishii, Librarians of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo|pages=156–167|title=Conversations with the World's Leading Orchestra and Opera Librarians|last=Lo|first=Patrick|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2016}}</ref> ] (ensemble drumming) was developed in postwar Japan and became very popular in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordtaiko/cgi-bin/history.html|publisher=Stanford Taiko|title=History of Taiko|accessdate=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Popular music in post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European trends, which has led to the evolution of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/21/popandrock3|title= J-Pop History|work=The Observer|first=Chris|last=Campion|date=August 22, 2005}}</ref> ] is a significant cultural activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/karaoke-in-japan|work=Thrillist|title=What Karaoke Means to the Country That Invented It|last=Caracciolo|first=Frankie|date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>

The four traditional theaters from Japan are '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/art/traditional-japanese-theatre-overview|website=Time Out Tokyo|date=September 27, 2009|title=Traditional Japanese theatre: overview}}</ref> Noh is one of the oldest continuous theater traditions in the world.<ref>{{cite web|first=Edwin|last=Lee|date=December 6, 2018|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/577531/noh-japanese/|title=The Oldest Surviving Form of Theater|website=The Atlantic}}</ref>

===Media===
{{Main|Cinema of Japan|Manga|Anime|Media of Japan}}
According to the 2015 NHK survey on television viewing in Japan, 79 percent of Japanese watch television daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/english/reports/pdf/report_16042101.pdf|title=Television Viewing and Media Use Today: From "The Japanese and Television 2015" Survey|publisher=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date= April 2016}}</ref> ]s are viewed both within Japan and internationally.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Iwabuchi|editor-first=Koichi|title=Feeling Asian Modernities: Transnational Consumption of Japanese TV Dramas|publisher= Hong Kong University Press|year=2004|jstor=j.ctt2jc5b9|isbn=9789622096318}}</ref> Many Japanese ]s have gained considerable global popularity and are among the world's ]. ] are among the most circulated in the world {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|page=19|title=World Press Trends 2016|publisher=WAN-IFRA|url=http://anp.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WAN-IFRA_WPT_2016_3.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724194049/http://anp.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WAN-IFRA_WPT_2016_3.pdf|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries globally.<ref>{{cite book|page=xi|title=Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema|last=Sharp|first=Jasper|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2011}}</ref> ]'s '']'' became an international icon of Japan and spawned an entire subgenre of '']'' films, as well as the longest-running film franchise in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/05/21/godzilla|publisher=New York Public Library|last=Ingoglia|first=Jesse|date=May 21, 2014|title=Godzilla: monster, metaphor, pop icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Introduction|year=2017|publisher=McFarland|last=Kalat|first=David|edition=2nd|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series}}</ref> Japanese comics, known as manga, developed in the mid-20th century and have become popular ].<ref name="Kinko Ito 456–475">{{cite journal|first=Kinko|last=Ito|title=A History of Manga in the Context of Japanese Culture and Society|journal=Journal of Popular Culture|volume=38|issue=3|pages=456–475|date=February 2005|doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2005.00123.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ro|first=Christine|title=Did manga shape how the world sees Japan?|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190610-did-manga-shape-how-the-world-sees-japan|publisher=BBC|date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> A large number of ] have become some of the ] of all time, rivalling the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Cynthia|title= Why are manga outselling superhero comics?|url=https://www.rutgers.edu/news/why-are-manga-outselling-superhero-comics|website=Rutgers Today|date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> Japanese animated films and television series, known as anime, were largely influenced by Japanese manga and have become highly popular globally.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Miyazaki and Takahata anime cinema|pages=105–136|last=Hu|first=Tze-Yue|title=Frames of Anime: culture and image-building|year=2010|publisher=Hong Kong University Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan-anime-global-identity-hnk-intl/index.html|last=Jozuka|first=Emiko|title=Japanese anime: From 'Disney of the East' to a global industry worth billions|publisher= CNN|date=July 29, 2019}}</ref>

===Holidays===
{{Main|Public holidays in Japan|Japanese festivals}}
]|成人の日|Seijin no Hi}} in ], ].]]
Officially, Japan has 16 national, government-recognized holidays. Public holidays in Japan are regulated by the {{Nihongo|Public Holiday Law|国民の祝日に関する法律|Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu}} of 1948.<ref>{{cite news|author=Nakamura, Akemi|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080408i1.html|title=National holidays trace roots to China, ancients, harvests|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713203247/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080408i1.html|archivedate=July 13, 2009|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=April 8, 2008}}</ref> Beginning in 2000, Japan implemented the ], which moved a number of national holidays to Monday in order to obtain a long weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/596910.stm|work=BBC News|title=Happy Monday in Japan|last=Hindell|first=Juliet|date=January 10, 2000}}</ref> The national holidays in Japan are ] on January 1, ] on the second Monday of January, ] on February 11, ] on February 23, ] on March 20 or 21, ] on April 29, ] on May 3, ] on May 4, ] on May 5, ] on the third Monday of July, ] on August 11, ] on the third Monday of September, ] on September 23 or 24, ] on the second Monday of October, ] on November 3, and ] on November 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00738/|website=Nippon.com|title=Japan's National Holidays in 2021|date=June 10, 2020}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Japanese cuisine}}
]'']]
Japanese cuisine offers a vast array of ] that use traditional recipes and local ingredients.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/japan/in-depth/food--drink|publisher=Frommer's|title=Food & Drink in Japan|accessdate=December 1, 2020}}</ref> Seafood and ] or ] are traditional staples.<ref>{{cite book|title=Street Foods|last=von Bargen|first=Hinnerk|page=14|publisher=Wiley|year=2015}}</ref> ], since its introduction to Japan from ], is so widely consumed that it can be termed a ], alongside ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Makalintal |first=Bettina |date=February 11, 2018 |title=A brief history of how curry ended up in Japan |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/nepjbw/a-brief-history-of-how-curry-ended-up-in-japan |website=Vice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCurry |first=Justin |date=June 18, 2010 |title=Ramen: Japan's super slurpy noodles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/18/ramen-japan-national-dish |website=The Guardian}}</ref> Traditional Japanese sweets are known as ''wagashi''.<ref name="Goldstein2015">{{cite book|first=Darra|last=Goldstein|title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets|url={{Google books|jbi6BwAAQBAJ|page=PA777|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-931339-6|page=777}}</ref> Ingredients such as ] and ] are used. More modern-day tastes include ].<ref name="FujitaStallings2008">{{cite book|first1=Hiroko|last1=Fujita|first2=Fran|last2=Stallings|title=Folktales from the Japanese Countryside|url={{Google books|p7nNJAt75XQC|page=PA148|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2008|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|isbn=978-1-59158-488-9|page=148}}</ref>

Popular Japanese beverages include ], a brewed rice beverage that typically contains 14–17% alcohol and is made by multiple fermentation of rice.<ref name="Batt2014">{{cite book|first=Carl A.|last=Batt|title=Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology|url={{Google books|1b1CAgAAQBAJ|page=PA846|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2014|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-384733-1|page=846}}</ref> Beer has been brewed in Japan since the late 17th century.<ref name="BoultonQuain2013">{{cite book|first1=Christopher|last1=Boulton|first2=David|last2=Quain|title=Brewing Yeast and Fermentation|url={{Google books|QpDVsu-vaBcC|page=PT20|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2013|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-68534-1|page=20}}</ref> ] is produced in Japan and prepared in forms such as ], used in the ].<ref>{{hosking-jfood|30}}</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Japan}}
] wrestlers form around the referee during the ring-entering ceremony.]]
Traditionally, ] is considered Japan's national sport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html|title=Sumo: East and West|publisher=PBS|accessdate=March 10, 2007|archive-date=March 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307073410/http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Japanese martial arts such as ] and ] are taught as part of the compulsory junior high school curriculum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/24/reference/prewar-bayonetting-martial-art-makes-return-schools/|website=The Japan Times|title=Prewar bayonetting martial art makes a return to schools|last=Aoki|first=Mizuho|date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> ] is the most popular sport in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/japan-baseball-history|last=Adler|first=David|date=February 21, 2023|publisher=Major League Baseball|title=History of baseball in Japan}}</ref> Japan's top professional league, ] (NPB), was established in 1936.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Nagata, Yoichi|author2=Holway, John B.|editor=Palmer, Pete|title=Total Baseball|edition=4th|year=1995|publisher=Viking Press|page=547|chapter=Japanese Baseball}}</ref> Since the establishment of the ] (J.League) in 1992, association football gained a wide following.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjf.or.jp/takarabako/PDF/TB09_JCN.pdf|title= Soccer as a Popular Sport: Putting Down Roots in Japan|work= The Japan Forum|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}</ref> The country co-hosted the ] with South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2018/05/24/every-fifa-world-cup-winner-germany-brazil-italy/540978002/|website=USA Today|title=Every FIFA World Cup champion: Brazil, Germany, Italy historically dominate tournament|last=Reineking|first=Jim|date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> Japan has one of the most successful football teams in Asia, winning the ] four times,<ref>{{cite web|title=Team Japan|url=http://www.afcasiancup.com/team/en/Japan|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=March 2, 2014|archive-date=January 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125085954/http://www.afcasiancup.com/team/en/Japan|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the ] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/summary.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121005/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/summary.html|url-status=dead|archivedate=July 18, 2011|title=Japan edge USA for maiden title|date=July 17, 2011|publisher=FIFA}}</ref> Golf is also popular in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/604/sports.asp|title= Japanese Golf Gets Friendly|website=]|first=Fred|last=Varcoe|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926215517/http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/604/sports.asp|archivedate = September 26, 2007}}</ref>

In ], Japanese automotive manufacturers have been successful in multiple different categories, with titles and victories in series such as ], ], and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Honda Wins F1 Championship in Its Final Season |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021121200336/ |website=Nippon.com |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213075303/https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021121200336/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/more/wrc-history/group-a/|title=Group A|publisher=World Rally Championship|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/10/11/japanese-industry-in-motogp/241690|title=Japanese industry in MotoGP|date=October 11, 2017|website=MotoGP|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}</ref> Drivers from Japan have victories at the ] and the ] as well as podium finishes in Formula One, in addition to success in domestic championships.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nagatsuka|first=Kaz|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/06/14/more-sports/auto-racing/sato-revels-glow-historic-indy-500-triumph/|title=Sato revels in glow of historic Indy 500 triumph|date=June 14, 2017|work=The Japan Times }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/general/news/the-man-behind-japans-only-le-mans-winner-5110896/5110896/|work=Autosport|title=The man behind Japan's only Le Mans winner|last=Newbold|first=James|date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> ] is the most popular national racing series in Japan, while ] is the top-level domestic open-wheel series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/623/sports.asp|title=Japanese Omnibus: Sports|last=Clarke|first=Len|website=Metropolis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926215524/http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/623/sports.asp|archivedate=September 26, 2007|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}</ref> The country hosts major races such as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2018/04/for-the-love-of-cars-auto-racing-in-japan/|website=Tokyo Weekender|date=April 18, 2018|title=For the Love of Cars: Auto Racing in Japan}}</ref>

Japan hosted the Summer Olympics in ] and the Winter Olympics in ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympic History in Japan|url=http://www.joc.or.jp/english/historyjapan/history_japan_bid.html|publisher=Japanese Olympic Committee|accessdate=January 7, 2011}}</ref> The country hosted the official ]<ref>{{cite web|title=2006 FIBA World Championship|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903040643/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2006|publisher=FIBA|accessdate=May 10, 2017}}</ref> and co-hosted the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023|accessdate=September 24, 2020|publisher=FIBA}}</ref> Tokyo hosted the ] in 2021, making Tokyo the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-selects-tokyo-as-host-of-2020-summer-olympic-games/208784|title=IOC selects Tokyo as host of 2020 Summer Olympic Games|date=July 21, 2016|publisher=International Olympic Committee}}</ref> The country gained the hosting rights for the official ] on five occasions, more than any other country.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Game&nbsp;– World Championships&nbsp;– FIVB Women's World Championships Finals|url=http://www.fivb.org/TheGame/TheGame_WorldChampionships.htm|publisher=FIVB|accessdate=June 13, 2017}}</ref> Japan is the most successful Asian ] country<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiarugby.com/about-asia-rugby/history/|title=History|publisher=Asia Rugby|accessdate=December 5, 2020}}</ref> and hosted the 2019 IRB ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid=2069327.html#japan+reaches+rest+asia|title=Japan reaches out to the rest of Asia|date=November 1, 2013|publisher=Rugby World Cup|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224929/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid%3D2069327.html|archivedate=December 17, 2013 }}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Japan topics}} {{Portal|Japan}}
*]
*]{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=nb}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
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* - Official ] and cabinet site
* - Official site of the ].
* - Detailed papers on Japan's foreign policy, education programs, culture and life.
* - Official site of the House of Representatives
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If there are already suitable links, propose additions or replacements on the article's talk page, or submit your link to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) and link there using {{Dmoz}}.
==Further reading==
* Christopher, Robert C., ''The Japanese Mind: the Goliath Explained'', Linden Press/Simon and Schuster, 1983 (ISBN 0330284193)
* De Mente, ''The Japanese Have a Word For It'', McGraw-Hill, 1997 (ISBN 0-8442-8316-9)
* Henshall, ''A History of Japan'', Palgrave Macmillan, 2001 (ISBN 0-312-23370-1)
* Jansen, ''The Making of Modern Japan'', Belknap, 2000 (ISBN 0-674-00334-9)
* Johnson, ''Japan: Who Governs?'', W.W. Norton, 1996 (ISBN 0-393-31450-2)
* Reischauer, ''Japan: The Story of a Nation'', McGraw-Hill, 1989 (ISBN 0-07-557074-2)
* Sugimoto et al., ''An Introduction to Japanese Society'', Cambridge University Press, 2003 (ISBN 0-521-52925-5)
* Van Wolferen, ''The Enigma of Japanese Power'', Vintage, 1990 (ISBN 0-679-72802-3)


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Latest revision as of 11:04, 22 December 2024

Island country in East Asia Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see Japan (disambiguation), Nihon (disambiguation), Nippon (disambiguation), and JPN (disambiguation).

Japan日本国 (Japanese)
Nihon-koku or Nippon-koku
Centered deep red circle on a white rectangle Flag Golden circle subdivided by golden wedges with rounded outer edges and thin black outlines Imperial Seal
Anthem: 
君が代 ("Kimigayo")
"His Imperial Majesty's Reign"
State Seal:
大日本國璽 (Dai Nihon Kokuji)
"National Seal of Greater Japan"Seal of the State of Japan
Projection of Asia with Japan's Area colored green  Location of Japan   Territory claimed but not controlled
Capitaland largest cityTokyo
35°41′N 139°46′E / 35.683°N 139.767°E / 35.683; 139.767
Recognised national languagesJapanese (de facto)
Recognised regional languagesAinu
Unrecognized regional languagesRyukyuan languages
Hachijō
Demonym(s)Japanese
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Emperor Naruhito
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
LegislatureNational Diet
• Upper houseHouse of Councillors
• Lower houseHouse of Representatives
Formation
• Meiji Constitution November 29, 1890
• Current constitution May 3, 1947
Area
• Total377,975 km (145,937 sq mi) (62nd)
• Water (%)1.4
Population
• March 1, 2024 estimateNeutral decrease 123,970,000 (11th)
• 2020 censusNeutral decrease 126,146,099
• Density330/km (854.7/sq mi) (44th)
GDP (PPP)2024 estimate
• TotalIncrease $6.572 trillion (5th)
• Per capitaIncrease $53,059 (34th)
GDP (nominal)2024 estimate
• TotalDecrease $4.070 trillion (4th)
• Per capitaDecrease $32,859 (30th)
Gini (2018)Positive decrease 33.4
medium inequality
HDI (2022)Increase 0.920
very high (24th)
CurrencyJapanese yen (¥)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Drives onLeft
Calling code+81
ISO 3166 codeJP
Internet TLD.jp

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The Japanese archipelago consists of four major islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and thousands of smaller islands, covering 377,975 square kilometres (145,937 sq mi). Japan has a population of nearly 124 million as of 2024, making it the eleventh-most populous country.

The capital of Japan and its largest city is Tokyo; the Greater Tokyo Area is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 37 million inhabitants as of 2024. Japan is divided into 47 administrative prefectures and eight traditional regions. About three-quarters of the country's terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, concentrating its agriculture and highly urbanized population along its eastern coastal plains. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making its islands prone to destructive earthquakes and tsunamis.

The first known habitation of the archipelago dates to the Upper Paleolithic, with the beginning Japanese Paleolithic dating to c. 36,000 BC. Between the fourth and sixth centuries, its kingdoms were united under an emperor in Nara, and later Heian-kyō. From the 12th century, actual power was held by military dictators (shōgun) and feudal lords (daimyō), and enforced by warrior nobility (samurai). After rule by the Kamakura and Ashikaga shogunates and a century of warring states, Japan was unified in 1600 by the Tokugawa shogunate, which implemented an isolationist foreign policy. In 1853, a United States fleet forced Japan to open trade to the West, which led to the end of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial power in 1868. In the Meiji period, the Empire of Japan pursued rapid industrialization and modernization, as well as militarism and overseas colonization. In 1937, Japan invaded China, and in 1941 attacked the United States and European colonial powers, entering World War II as an Axis power. After suffering defeat in the Pacific War and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered in 1945 and came under Allied occupation. After the war, the country underwent rapid economic growth and became a major non-NATO ally of the United States, although its economy has stagnated since 1990.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, the National Diet. A great power and the only Asian member of the G7, Japan has constitutionally renounced its right to declare war, but maintains one of the world's strongest militaries. A developed country with one of the world's largest economies by nominal GDP, Japan is a global leader in science and technology and the automotive, robotics, and electronics industries. It has one of the world's highest life expectancies, though it is undergoing a population decline. Japan's culture is well known around the world, including its art, cuisine, film, music, and popular culture, which includes prominent animation, comics, and video game industries.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Japan

The name for Japan in Japanese is written using the kanji 日本 and is pronounced Nihon or Nippon. Before 日本 was adopted in the early 8th century, the country was known in China as Wa (倭, changed in Japan around 757 to 和) and in Japan by the endonym Yamato. Nippon, the original Sino-Japanese reading of the characters, is favored for official uses, including on Japanese banknotes and postage stamps. Nihon is typically used in everyday speech and reflects shifts in Japanese phonology during the Edo period. The characters 日本 mean "sun origin", which is the source of the popular Western epithet "Land of the Rising Sun".

The name "Japan" is based on Min or Wu Chinese pronunciations of 日本 and was introduced to European languages through early trade. In the 13th century, Marco Polo recorded the Early Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of the characters 日本國 as Cipangu. The old Malay name for Japan, Japang or Japun, was borrowed from a southern coastal Chinese dialect and encountered by Portuguese traders in Southeast Asia, who brought the word to Europe in the early 16th century. The first version of the name in English appears in a book published in 1577, which spelled the name as Giapan in a translation of a 1565 Portuguese letter.

History

Main article: History of Japan For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Japanese history.

Prehistoric to classical history

Legendary Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇, Jinmu-tennō)

Modern humans arrived in Japan around 38,000 years ago (~36,000 BC), marking the beginning of the Japanese Paleolithic. This was followed from around 14,500 BC (the start of the Jōmon period) by a Mesolithic to Neolithic semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer culture characterized by pit dwelling and rudimentary agriculture. Clay vessels from the period are among the oldest surviving examples of pottery. The Japonic-speaking Yayoi people entered the archipelago from the Korean Peninsula, intermingling with the Jōmon; the Yayoi period saw the introduction of practices including wet-rice farming, a new style of pottery, and metallurgy from China and Korea. According to legend, Emperor Jimmu (descendant of Amaterasu) founded a kingdom in central Japan in 660 BC, beginning a continuous imperial line.

Japan first appears in written history in the Chinese Book of Han, completed in 111 AD. Buddhism was introduced to Japan from Baekje (a Korean kingdom) in 552, but the development of Japanese Buddhism was primarily influenced by China. Despite early resistance, Buddhism was promoted by the ruling class, including figures like Prince Shōtoku, and gained widespread acceptance beginning in the Asuka period (592–710).

In 645, the government led by Prince Naka no Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari devised and implemented the far-reaching Taika Reforms. The Reform began with land reform, based on Confucian ideas and philosophies from China. It nationalized all land in Japan, to be distributed equally among cultivators, and ordered the compilation of a household registry as the basis for a new system of taxation. The true aim of the reforms was to bring about greater centralization and to enhance the power of the imperial court, which was also based on the governmental structure of China. Envoys and students were dispatched to China to learn about Chinese writing, politics, art, and religion. The Jinshin War of 672, a bloody conflict between Prince Ōama and his nephew Prince Ōtomo, became a major catalyst for further administrative reforms. These reforms culminated with the promulgation of the Taihō Code, which consolidated existing statutes and established the structure of the central and subordinate local governments. These legal reforms created the ritsuryō state, a system of Chinese-style centralized government that remained in place for half a millennium.

The Nara period (710–784) marked the emergence of a Japanese state centered on the Imperial Court in Heijō-kyō (modern Nara). The period is characterized by the appearance of a nascent literary culture with the completion of the Kojiki (712) and Nihon Shoki (720), as well as the development of Buddhist-inspired artwork and architecture. A smallpox epidemic in 735–737 is believed to have killed as much as one-third of Japan's population. In 784, Emperor Kanmu moved the capital, settling on Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto) in 794. This marked the beginning of the Heian period (794–1185), during which a distinctly indigenous Japanese culture emerged. Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji and the lyrics of Japan's national anthem "Kimigayo" were written during this time.

Feudal era

Japanese samurai boarding a Mongol vessel during the Mongol invasions of Japan, depicted in the Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba, 1293
Three unifiers of Japan. Left to right: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Japan's feudal era was characterized by the emergence and dominance of a ruling class of warriors, the samurai. In 1185, following the defeat of the Taira clan by the Minamoto clan in the Genpei War, samurai Minamoto no Yoritomo established a military government at Kamakura. After Yoritomo's death, the Hōjō clan came to power as regents for the shōgun. The Zen school of Buddhism was introduced from China in the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and became popular among the samurai class. The Kamakura shogunate repelled Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281 but was eventually overthrown by Emperor Go-Daigo. Go-Daigo was defeated by Ashikaga Takauji in 1336, beginning the Muromachi period (1336–1573). The succeeding Ashikaga shogunate failed to control the feudal warlords (daimyō) and a civil war began in 1467, opening the century-long Sengoku period ("Warring States").

During the 16th century, Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries reached Japan for the first time, initiating direct commercial and cultural exchange between Japan and the West. Oda Nobunaga used European technology and firearms to conquer many other daimyō; his consolidation of power began what was known as the Azuchi–Momoyama period. After the death of Nobunaga in 1582, his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, unified the nation in the early 1590s and launched two unsuccessful invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597.

Tokugawa Ieyasu served as regent for Hideyoshi's son Toyotomi Hideyori and used his position to gain political and military support. When open war broke out, Ieyasu defeated rival clans in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was appointed shōgun by Emperor Go-Yōzei in 1603 and established the Tokugawa shogunate at Edo (modern Tokyo). The shogunate enacted measures including buke shohatto, as a code of conduct to control the autonomous daimyō, and in 1639 the isolationist sakoku ("closed country") policy that spanned the two and a half centuries of tenuous political unity known as the Edo period (1603–1868). Modern Japan's economic growth began in this period, resulting in roads and water transportation routes, as well as financial instruments such as futures contracts, banking and insurance of the Osaka rice brokers. The study of Western sciences (rangaku) continued through contact with the Dutch enclave in Nagasaki. The Edo period gave rise to kokugaku ("national studies"), the study of Japan by the Japanese.

Modern era

Emperor Meiji (明治天皇, Meiji-tennō); 1852–1912The Japanese Empire and its influence, 1942

The United States Navy sent Commodore Matthew C. Perry to force the opening of Japan to the outside world. Arriving at Uraga with four "Black Ships" in July 1853, the Perry Expedition resulted in the March 1854 Convention of Kanagawa. Subsequent similar treaties with other Western countries brought economic and political crises. The resignation of the shōgun led to the Boshin War and the establishment of a centralized state nominally unified under the emperor (the Meiji Restoration). Adopting Western political, judicial, and military institutions, the Cabinet organized the Privy Council, introduced the Meiji Constitution (November 29, 1890), and assembled the Imperial Diet. During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the Empire of Japan emerged as the most developed state in Asia and as an industrialized world power that pursued military conflict to expand its sphere of influence. After victories in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Japan gained control of Taiwan, Korea and the southern half of Sakhalin, and annexed Korea in 1910. The Japanese population doubled from 35 million in 1873 to 70 million by 1935, with a significant shift to urbanization.

The early 20th century saw a period of Taishō democracy (1912–1926) overshadowed by increasing expansionism and militarization. World War I allowed Japan, which joined the side of the victorious Allies, to capture German possessions in the Pacific and China in 1920. The 1920s saw a political shift towards statism, a period of lawlessness following the 1923 Great Tokyo Earthquake, the passing of laws against political dissent, and a series of attempted coups. This process accelerated during the 1930s, spawning several radical nationalist groups that shared a hostility to liberal democracy and a dedication to expansion in Asia. In 1931, Japan invaded China and occupied Manchuria, which led to the establishment of puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932; following international condemnation of the occupation, it resigned from the League of Nations in 1933. In 1936, Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Nazi Germany; the 1940 Tripartite Pact made it one of the Axis powers.

Japan's imperial ambitions ended on September 2, 1945, with the country's surrender to the Allies.

The Empire of Japan invaded other parts of China in 1937, precipitating the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). In 1940, the Empire invaded French Indochina, after which the United States placed an oil embargo on Japan. On December 7–8, 1941, Japanese forces carried out surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor, as well as on British forces in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong, among others, beginning World War II in the Pacific. Throughout areas occupied by Japan during the war, numerous abuses were committed against local inhabitants, with many forced into sexual slavery. After Allied victories during the next four years, which culminated in the Soviet invasion of Manchuria and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Japan agreed to an unconditional surrender. The war cost Japan millions of lives and its colonies, including de jure parts of Japan such as Korea, Taiwan, Karafuto, and the Kurils. The Allies (led by the United States) repatriated millions of Japanese settlers from their former colonies and military camps throughout Asia, largely eliminating the Japanese Empire and its influence over the territories it conquered. The Allies convened the International Military Tribunal for the Far East to prosecute Japanese leaders except the Emperor for Japanese war crimes.

In 1947, Japan adopted a new constitution emphasizing liberal democratic practices. The Allied occupation ended with the Treaty of San Francisco in 1952, and Japan was granted membership in the United Nations in 1956. A period of record growth propelled Japan to become the second-largest economy in the world; this ended in the mid-1990s after the popping of an asset price bubble, beginning the "Lost Decade". In 2011, Japan suffered one of the largest earthquakes in its recorded history - the Tōhoku earthquake - triggering the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. On May 1, 2019, after the historic abdication of Emperor Akihito, his son Naruhito became Emperor, beginning the Reiwa era.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Japan and Geology of Japan
A topographic map of Japan

Japan comprises 14,125 islands extending along the Pacific coast of Asia. It stretches over 3000 km (1900 mi) northeast–southwest from the Sea of Okhotsk to the East China Sea. The country's five main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa. The Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, are a chain to the south of Kyushu. The Nanpō Islands are south and east of the main islands of Japan. Together they are often known as the Japanese archipelago. As of 2019, Japan's territory is 377,975.24 km (145,937.06 sq mi). Japan has the sixth-longest coastline in the world at 29,751 km (18,486 mi). Because of its far-flung outlying islands, Japan's exclusive economic zone is the eighth-largest in the world, covering 4,470,000 km (1,730,000 sq mi).

The Japanese archipelago is 67% forests and 14% agricultural. The primarily rugged and mountainous terrain is restricted for habitation. Thus the habitable zones, mainly in the coastal areas, have very high population densities: Japan is the 40th most densely populated country even without considering that local concentration. Honshu has the highest population density at 450 persons/km (1200/sq mi) as of 2010, while Hokkaido has the lowest density of 64.5 persons/km as of 2016. As of 2014, approximately 0.5% of Japan's total area is reclaimed land (umetatechi). Lake Biwa is an ancient lake and the country's largest freshwater lake.

Japan is substantially prone to earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions because of its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. It has the 17th highest natural disaster risk as measured in the 2016 World Risk Index. Japan has 111 active volcanoes. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting in tsunami, occur several times each century; the 1923 Tokyo earthquake killed over 140,000 people. More recent major quakes are the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, which triggered a large tsunami.

Climate

Main article: Geography of Japan § Climate
Mount Fuji in spring, view from Arakurayama Sengen Park

The climate of Japan is predominantly temperate but varies greatly from north to south. The northernmost region, Hokkaido, has a humid continental climate with long, cold winters and very warm to cool summers. Precipitation is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snowbanks in the winter.

In the Sea of Japan region on Honshu's west coast, northwest winter winds bring heavy snowfall during winter. In the summer, the region sometimes experiences extremely hot temperatures because of the Foehn. The Central Highland has a typical inland humid continental climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter. The mountains of the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions shelter the Seto Inland Sea from seasonal winds, bringing mild weather year-round.

The Pacific coast features a humid subtropical climate that experiences milder winters with occasional snowfall and hot, humid summers because of the southeast seasonal wind. The Ryukyu and Nanpō Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season. The main rainy season begins in early May in Okinawa, and the rain front gradually moves north. In late summer and early autumn, typhoons often bring heavy rain. According to the Environment Ministry, heavy rainfall and increasing temperatures have caused problems in the agricultural industry and elsewhere. The highest temperature ever measured in Japan, 41.1 °C (106.0 °F), was recorded on July 23, 2018, and repeated on August 17, 2020.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Japan

Japan has nine forest ecoregions which reflect the climate and geography of the islands. They range from 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. Japan has over 90,000 species of wildlife as of 2019, including the brown bear, the Japanese macaque, the Japanese raccoon dog, the small Japanese field mouse, and the Japanese giant salamander. There are 53 Ramsar wetland sites in Japan. Five sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their outstanding natural value.

Environment

Main articles: Environmental issues in Japan and Climate change in Japan
Autumn maple leaves (momiji) at Kongōbu-ji on Mount Kōya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the period of rapid economic growth after World War II, environmental policies were downplayed by the government and industrial corporations; as a result, environmental pollution was widespread in the 1950s and 1960s. Responding to rising concerns, the government introduced environmental protection laws in 1970. The oil crisis in 1973 also encouraged the efficient use of energy because of Japan's lack of natural resources.

Japan ranks 20th in the 2018 Environmental Performance Index, which measures a country's commitment to environmental sustainability. Japan is the world's fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide. As the host and signatory of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Japan is under treaty obligation to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and to take other steps to curb climate change. In 2020, the government of Japan announced a target of carbon-neutrality by 2050. Environmental issues include urban air pollution (NOx, suspended particulate matter, and toxics), waste management, water eutrophication, nature conservation, climate change, chemical management and international co-operation for conservation.

Government and politics

Main articles: Emperor of Japan, Government of Japan, Politics of Japan, and Law of Japan
Emperor Naruhito, current head of state, and Empress Masako participated in the Imperial Procession by motorcar after the Ceremony of the Enthronement in Tokyo on November 10, 2019.

Japan is a unitary state and constitutional monarchy in which the power of the Emperor is limited to a ceremonial role. Executive power is instead wielded by the Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet, whose sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people. Naruhito is the Emperor of Japan, having succeeded his father Akihito upon his accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

The National Diet Building

Japan's legislative organ is the National Diet, a bicameral parliament. It consists of a lower House of Representatives with 465 seats, elected by popular vote every four years or when dissolved, and an upper House of Councillors with 245 seats, whose popularly-elected members serve six-year terms. There is universal suffrage for adults over 18 years of age, with a secret ballot for all elected offices. The prime minister as the head of government has the power to appoint and dismiss Ministers of State, and is appointed by the emperor after being designated from among the members of the Diet. Shigeru Ishiba is Japan's prime minister; he took office after winning the 2024 Liberal Democratic Party leadership election. The broadly conservative Liberal Democratic Party has been the dominant party in the country since the 1950s, often called the 1955 System.

Historically influenced by Chinese law, the Japanese legal system developed independently during the Edo period through texts such as Kujikata Osadamegaki. Since the late 19th century, the judicial system has been largely based on the civil law of Europe, notably Germany. In 1896, Japan established a civil code based on the German Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, which remains in effect with post–World War II modifications. The Constitution of Japan, adopted in 1947, is the oldest unamended constitution in the world. Statutory law originates in the legislature, and the constitution requires that the emperor promulgate legislation passed by the Diet without giving him the power to oppose legislation. The main body of Japanese statutory law is called the Six Codes. Japan's court system is divided into four basic tiers: the Supreme Court and three levels of lower courts.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Administrative divisions of Japan and Prefectures of Japan

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each overseen by an elected governor and legislature. In the following table, the prefectures are grouped by region:

Prefectures of Japan with colored regions
  Hokkaido
1. Hokkaido
  Tōhoku
2. Aomori 3. Iwate 4. Miyagi 5. Akita 6. Yamagata

7. Fukushima

  Kantō
8. Ibaraki 9. Tochigi 10. Gunma 11. Saitama 12. Chiba 13. Tokyo

14. Kanagawa

  Chūbu
15. Niigata 16. Toyama 17. Ishikawa 18. Fukui 19. Yamanashi 20. Nagano 21. Gifu 22. Shizuoka

23. Aichi

  Kansai
24. Mie 25. Shiga 26. Kyoto 27. Osaka 28. Hyōgo 29. Nara

30. Wakayama

  Chūgoku
31. Tottori 32. Shimane 33. Okayama 34. Hiroshima

35. Yamaguchi

  Shikoku
36. Tokushima 37. Kagawa 38. Ehime

39. Kōchi

  Kyūshū
40. Fukuoka 41. Saga 42. Nagasaki 43. Kumamoto 44. Ōita 45. Miyazaki 46. Kagoshima

47. Okinawa

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Japan
Japan is a member of both the G7 and the G20.

A member state of the United Nations since 1956, Japan is one of the G4 countries seeking reform of the Security Council. Japan is a member of the G7, APEC, and "ASEAN Plus Three", and is a participant in the East Asia Summit. It is the world's fifth-largest donor of official development assistance, donating US$9.2 billion in 2014. In 2024, Japan had the fourth-largest diplomatic network in the world.

Japan has close economic and military relations with the United States, with which it maintains a security alliance. The United States is a major market for Japanese exports and a major source of Japanese imports, and is committed to defending the country, with military bases in Japan. In 2016, Japan announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, which frames its regional policies. Japan is also a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue ("the Quad"), a multilateral security dialogue reformed in 2017 aiming to limit Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, along with the United States, Australia, and India.

Japan is engaged in several territorial disputes with its neighbors. Japan contests Russia's control of the Southern Kuril Islands, which were occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945. South Korea's control of the Liancourt Rocks is acknowledged but not accepted as they are claimed by Japan. Japan has strained relations with China and Taiwan over the Senkaku Islands and the status of Okinotorishima.

Military

Main article: Japan Self-Defense Forces
JMSDF Kongō-class destroyer

Japan is the third highest-ranked Asian country in the 2024 Global Peace Index. It spent 1.1% of its total GDP on its defence budget in 2022, and maintained the tenth-largest military budget in the world in 2022. The country's military (the Japan Self-Defense Forces) is restricted by Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes. The military is governed by the Ministry of Defense, and primarily consists of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The deployment of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan marked the first overseas use of Japan's military since World War II.

The Government of Japan has been making changes to its security policy which include the establishment of the National Security Council, the adoption of the National Security Strategy, and the development of the National Defense Program Guidelines. In May 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan wanted to shed the passiveness it has maintained since the end of World War II and take more responsibility for regional security. In December 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida further confirmed this trend, instructing the government to increase spending by 65% until 2027. Recent tensions, particularly with North Korea and China, have reignited the debate over the status of the JSDF and its relation to Japanese society.

Law enforcement

Main articles: Law enforcement in Japan and Crime in Japan
The headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

Domestic security in Japan is provided mainly by the prefectural police departments, under the oversight of the National Police Agency. As the central coordinating body for the Prefectural Police Departments, the National Police Agency is administered by the National Public Safety Commission. The Special Assault Team comprises national-level counter-terrorism tactical units that cooperate with territorial-level Anti-Firearms Squads and Counter-NBC Terrorism Squads. The Japan Coast Guard guards territorial waters surrounding Japan and uses surveillance and control countermeasures against smuggling, marine environmental crime, poaching, piracy, spy ships, unauthorized foreign fishing vessels, and illegal immigration.

The Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law strictly regulates the civilian ownership of guns, swords, and other weaponry. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, among the member states of the UN that report statistics as of 2018, the incidence rates of violent crimes such as murder, abduction, sexual violence, and robbery are very low in Japan.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Japan

Japanese society traditionally places a strong emphasis on collective harmony and conformity, which has led to the suppression of individual rights. Japan's constitution prohibits racial and religious discrimination, and the country is a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties. However, it lacks any laws against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity and does not have a national human rights institution.

Japan has faced criticism for its gender inequality, not allowing same-sex marriages, use of racial profiling by police, and allowing capital punishment. Other human rights issues include the treatment of marginalized groups, such as ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Japan
Skyscrapers in Nakanoshima, Osaka; a major financial center in Japan

Japan has the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, after that of the United States, China and Germany; and the fifth-largest economy by PPP-adjusted GDP. As of 2021, Japan's labor force is the world's eighth-largest, consisting of over 68.6 million workers. As of 2022, Japan has a low unemployment rate of around 2.6%. Its poverty rate is the second highest among the G7 countries, and exceeds 15.7% of the population. Japan has the highest ratio of public debt to GDP among advanced economies, with a national debt estimated at 248% relative to GDP as of 2022. The Japanese yen is the world's third-largest reserve currency after the US dollar and the euro.

Japan was the world's fifth-largest exporter and fourth-largest importer in 2022. Its exports amounted to 18.2% of its total GDP in 2021. As of 2022, Japan's main export markets were China (23.9 percent, including Hong Kong) and the United States (18.5 percent). Its main exports are motor vehicles, iron and steel products, semiconductors, and auto parts. Japan's main import markets as of 2022 were China (21.1 percent), the United States (9.9 percent), and Australia (9.8 percent). Japan's main imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, and raw materials for its industries.

The Japanese variant of capitalism has many distinct features: keiretsu enterprises are influential, and lifetime employment and seniority-based career advancement are common in the Japanese work environment. Japan has a large cooperative sector, with three of the world's ten largest cooperatives, including the largest consumer cooperative and the largest agricultural cooperative as of 2018. It ranks highly for competitiveness and economic freedom. Japan ranked sixth in the Global Competitiveness Report in 2019. It attracted 31.9 million international tourists in 2019, and was ranked eleventh in the world in 2019 for inbound tourism. The 2021 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Japan first in the world out of 117 countries. Its international tourism receipts in 2019 amounted to $46.1 billion.

Agriculture and fishery

Main article: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan
A rice paddy in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture

The Japanese agricultural sector accounts for about 1.2% of the country's total GDP as of 2018. Only 11.5% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation. Because of this lack of arable land, a system of terraces is used to farm in small areas. This results in one of the world's highest levels of crop yields per unit area, with an agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 50% as of 2018. Japan's small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected. There has been a growing concern about farming as farmers are aging with a difficult time finding successors.

Japan ranked seventh in the world in tonnage of fish caught and captured 3,167,610 metric tons of fish in 2016, down from an annual average of 4,000,000 tons over the previous decade. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch, prompting critiques that Japan's fishing is leading to depletion in fish stocks such as tuna. Japan has sparked controversy by supporting commercial whaling.

Industry and services

Main articles: Manufacturing in Japan, Trade and services in Japan, Electronics industry in Japan, and Automotive industry in Japan
The Nissan GT-R, a sports car manufactured by Nissan. Japan is the third-largest producer of motor vehicles in the world.

Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the "largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemical substances, textiles, and processed foods". Japan's industrial sector makes up approximately 27.5% of its GDP. The country's manufacturing output is the fourth highest in the world as of 2023.

Japan is in the top three globally for both automobile production and export, and is home to Toyota, the world's largest automobile company by vehicle production. The Japanese shipbuilding industry faces increasing competition from its East Asian neighbors, South Korea and China; a 2020 government initiative identified this sector as a target for increasing exports.

Japan's service sector accounts for about 69.5% of its total economic output as of 2021. Banking, retail, transportation, and telecommunications are all major industries, with companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi UFJ, -NTT, Aeon, SoftBank, Hitachi, and Itochu listed as among the largest in the world.

Science and technology

Main articles: History of science and technology in Japan, Science and technology in Japan, Video gaming in Japan, and List of Japanese inventions and discoveries
The Japanese Experiment Module (Kibō) at the International Space Station

Relative to gross domestic product, Japan's research and development budget is the second highest in the world, with 867,000 researchers sharing a 19-trillion-yen research and development budget as of 2017. The country has produced twenty-two Nobel laureates in either physics, chemistry or medicine, and three Fields medalists.

Japan leads the world in robotics production and use, supplying 45% of the world's 2020 total; down from 55% in 2017. Japan has the second highest number of researchers in science and technology per capita in the world with 14 per 1000 employees.

Once considered the strongest in the world, the Japanese consumer electronics industry is in a state of decline as regional competition arises in neighboring East Asian countries such as South Korea and China. However, Japan's video game sector remains a major industry. In 2014, Japan's consumer video game market grossed $9.6 billion, with $5.8 billion coming from mobile gaming. By 2015, Japan had become the world's fourth-largest PC game market by revenue, behind only China, the United States, and South Korea.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is Japan's national space agency; it conducts space, planetary, and aviation research, and leads development of rockets and satellites. It is a participant in the International Space Station: the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibō) was added to the station during Space Shuttle assembly flights in 2008. The space probe Akatsuki was launched in 2010 and achieved orbit around Venus in 2015. Japan's plans in space exploration include building a Moon base and landing astronauts by 2030. In 2007, it launched lunar explorer SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) from Tanegashima Space Center. The largest lunar mission since the Apollo program, its purpose was to gather data on the Moon's origin and evolution. The explorer entered a lunar orbit on October 4, 2007, and was deliberately crashed into the Moon on June 11, 2009.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Japan
Japan Airlines, the flag carrier of Japan

Japan has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure since the 1990s. The country has approximately 1,200,000 kilometers (750,000 miles) of roads made up of 1,000,000 kilometers (620,000 miles) of city, town and village roads, 130,000 kilometers (81,000 miles) of prefectural roads, 54,736 kilometers (34,011 miles) of general national highways and 7641 kilometers (4748 miles) of national expressways as of 2017.

Since privatization in 1987, dozens of Japanese railway companies compete in regional and local passenger transportation markets; major companies include seven JR enterprises, Kintetsu, Seibu Railway and Keio Corporation. The high-speed Shinkansen (bullet trains) that connect major cities are known for their safety and punctuality.

There are 175 airports in Japan as of 2021. The largest domestic airport, Haneda Airport in Tokyo, was Asia's second-busiest airport in 2019. The Keihin and Hanshin superport hubs are among the largest in the world, at 7.98 and 5.22 million TEU respectively as of 2017.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Japan
Part of the Seto Hill Windfarm

As of 2019, 37.1% of energy in Japan was produced from petroleum, 25.1% from coal, 22.4% from natural gas, 3.5% from hydropower and 2.8% from nuclear power, among other sources. Nuclear power was down from 11.2 percent in 2010. By May 2012 all of the country's nuclear power plants had been taken offline because of ongoing public opposition following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in March 2011, though government officials continued to try to sway public opinion in favor of returning at least some to service. The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant restarted in 2015, and since then several other nuclear power plants have been restarted. Japan lacks significant domestic reserves and has a heavy dependence on imported energy. The country has therefore aimed to diversify its sources and maintain high levels of energy efficiency.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Japan, Japanese people, Ethnic groups of Japan, List of metropolitan areas in Japan, and List of cities in Japan
View of Tokyo from the top of the Tokyo Skytree. The Greater Tokyo Area is ranked as the most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Japan has a population of almost 125 million, of whom nearly 122 million are Japanese nationals (2022 estimates). A small population of foreign residents makes up the remainder. Japan is the world's fastest aging country and has the highest proportion of elderly citizens of any country, comprising one-third of its total population; this is the result of a post–World War II baby boom, which was followed by an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in birth rates. Japan has a total fertility rate of 1.4, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1, and is among the world's lowest; it has a median age of 48.4, the highest in the world. As of 2020, over 28.7 percent of the population is over 65, or more than one in four out of the Japanese population. As a growing number of younger Japanese are not marrying or remaining childless, Japan's population is expected to drop to around 88 million by 2065.

The changes in demographic structure have created several social issues, particularly a decline in the workforce population and an increase in the cost of social security benefits. The Government of Japan projects that there will be almost one elderly person for each person of working age by 2060. Immigration and birth incentives are sometimes suggested as a solution to provide younger workers to support the nation's aging population. On April 1, 2019, Japan's revised immigration law was enacted, protecting the rights of foreign workers to help reduce labor shortages in certain sectors.

In 2022, 92% of the total Japanese population lived in cities. The capital city, Tokyo, has a population of 13.9 million (2022). It is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, the biggest metropolitan area in the world with 37.4 million people (2024). Japan is an ethnically and culturally homogeneous society, with the Japanese people forming 97.4% of the country's population. Minority ethnic groups in the country include the indigenous Ainu and Ryukyuan people. Zainichi Koreans, Chinese, Filipinos, Brazilians mostly of Japanese descent, and Peruvians mostly of Japanese descent are also among Japan's small minority groups. Burakumin make up a social minority group.

  Largest cities or towns in Japan
2015 Census
Rank Name Prefecture Pop. Rank Name Prefecture Pop.
1 Tokyo Tokyo 9,272,740 11 Hiroshima Hiroshima 1,194,034
2 Yokohama Kanagawa 3,724,844 12 Sendai Miyagi 1,082,159
3 Osaka Osaka 2,691,185 13 Chiba Chiba 971,882
4 Nagoya Aichi 2,295,638 14 Kitakyushu Fukuoka 961,286
5 Sapporo Hokkaido 1,952,356 15 Sakai Osaka 839,310
6 Fukuoka Fukuoka 1,538,681 16 Niigata Niigata 810,157
7 Kobe Hyōgo 1,537,272 17 Hamamatsu Shizuoka 797,980
8 Kawasaki Kanagawa 1,475,213 18 Kumamoto Kumamoto 740,822
9 Kyoto Kyoto 1,475,183 19 Sagamihara Kanagawa 720,780
10 Saitama Saitama 1,263,979 20 Okayama Okayama 719,474

Languages

Main article: Languages of Japan
Kanji and hiragana signs

The Japanese language is Japan's de facto national language and the primary written and spoken language of most people in the country. Japanese writing uses kanji (Chinese characters) and two sets of kana (syllabaries based on cursive script and radicals used by kanji), as well as the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals. English has taken a major role in Japan as a business and international link language, and is a compulsory subject at the junior and senior high school levels. Japanese Sign Language is the primary sign language used in Japan and has gained some official recognition, but its usage has been historically hindered by discriminatory policies and a lack of educational support.

Besides Japanese, the Ryukyuan languages (Amami, Kunigami, Okinawan, Miyako, Yaeyama, Yonaguni), part of the Japonic language family, are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands chain. Few children learn these languages, but local governments have sought to increase awareness of the traditional languages. The Ainu language, which is a language isolate, is moribund, with only a few native speakers remaining as of 2014. Additionally, a number of other languages are taught and used by ethnic minorities, immigrant communities, and a growing number of foreign-language students, such as Korean (including a distinct Zainichi Korean dialect), Chinese and Portuguese.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Japan
The torii of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine near Hiroshima

Japan's constitution guarantees full religious freedom. Upper estimates suggest that 84–96 percent of the Japanese population subscribe to Shinto as its indigenous religion. However, these estimates are based on people affiliated with a temple, rather than the number of true believers. Many Japanese people practice both Shinto and Buddhism; they can identify with both religions or describe themselves as non-religious or spiritual. The level of participation in religious ceremonies as a cultural tradition remains high, especially during festivals and occasions such as the first shrine visit of the New Year. Taoism and Confucianism from China have also influenced Japanese beliefs and customs.

Today, 1% to 1.5% of the population are Christians. Throughout the latest century, Western customs originally related to Christianity (including Western style weddings, Valentine's Day and Christmas) have become popular as secular customs among many Japanese.

About 90% of those practicing Islam in Japan are foreign-born migrants as of 2016. As of 2018 there were an estimated 105 mosques and 200,000 Muslims in Japan, 43,000 of which were Japanese nationals. Other minority religions include Hinduism, Judaism, and Baháʼí Faith, as well as the animist beliefs of the Ainu.

Education

Main article: Education in Japan
Students celebrating after the announcement of the results of the entrance examinations to the University of Tokyo

Since the 1947 Fundamental Law of Education, compulsory education in Japan comprises elementary and junior high school, which together last for nine years. Almost all children continue their education at a three-year senior high school. The top-ranking university in the country is the University of Tokyo. Starting in April 2016, various schools began the academic year with elementary school and junior high school integrated into one nine-year compulsory schooling program; MEXT plans for this approach to be adopted nationwide.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) coordinated by the OECD ranks the knowledge and skills of Japanese 15-year-olds as the third best in the world. Japan is one of the top-performing OECD countries in reading literacy, math, and sciences with the average student scoring 520 and has one of the world's highest-educated labor forces among OECD countries. It spent 7.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. In 2021, the country ranked third for the percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds that have attained tertiary education with 55.6%. Approximately 65% of Japanese aged 25 to 34 have some form of tertiary education qualification, with bachelor's degrees being held by 34.2% of Japanese aged 25 to 64, the second most in the OECD after South Korea. Japanese women are more highly educated than the men: 59 percent of women possess a university degree, compared to 52 percent of men.

Health

Main articles: Health in Japan and Health care system in Japan
University of Tokyo Hospital

Health care in Japan is provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health 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.

Japan spent 10.82% of its total GDP on healthcare in 2021. In 2020, the overall life expectancy in Japan at birth was 85 years (82 years for men and 88 years for women), the highest in the world; while it had a very low infant mortality rate (2 per 1,000 live births). Since 1981, the principal cause of death in Japan is cancer, which accounted for 27% of the total deaths in 2018—followed by cardiovascular diseases, which led to 15% of the deaths. Japan has one of the world's highest suicide rates, which is considered a major social issue. Another significant public health issue is smoking among Japanese men. Japan has the lowest rate of heart disease in the OECD, and the lowest level of dementia among developed countries.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Japan See also: Japanese popular culture

Contemporary Japanese culture combines influences from Asia, Europe, and North America. Traditional Japanese arts include crafts such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, swords and dolls; performances of bunraku, kabuki, noh, dance, and rakugo; and other practices, the tea ceremony, ikebana, martial arts, calligraphy, origami, onsen, Geisha and games. Japan has a developed system for the protection and promotion of both tangible and intangible Cultural Properties and National Treasures. Twenty-two sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, eighteen of which are of cultural significance. Japan is considered a cultural superpower.

Art and architecture

Main article: Japanese art Further information: Japanese architecture, Japanese garden, Japanese esthetics, Japanese painting, and Japanese sculpture Hokusai's 19th-century ukiyo-e woodblock print The Great Wave off KanagawaRitsurin Garden, one of the most famous strolling gardens in Japan

The history of Japanese painting exhibits synthesis and competition between native Japanese esthetics and imported ideas. The interaction between Japanese and European art has been significant: for example ukiyo-e prints, which began to be exported in the 19th century in the movement known as Japonism, had a significant influence on the development of modern art in the West, most notably on post-Impressionism.

Japanese architecture is a combination of local and other influences. It has traditionally been typified by wooden or mud plaster structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs. Traditional housing and many temple buildings see the use of tatami mats and sliding doors that break down the distinction between rooms and indoor and outdoor space. Since the 19th century, Japan has incorporated much of Western modern architecture into construction and design. It was not until after World War II that Japanese architects made an impression on the international scene, firstly with the work of architects like Kenzō Tange and then with movements like Metabolism.

Literature and philosophy

Main articles: Japanese literature, Japanese poetry, and Japanese philosophy
12th-century illustrated handscroll of The Tale of Genji, a National Treasure

The earliest works of Japanese literature include the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles and the Man'yōshū poetry anthology, all from the 8th century and written in Chinese characters. In the early Heian period, the system of phonograms known as kana (hiragana and katakana) was developed. The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is considered the oldest extant Japanese narrative. An account of court life is given in The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon, while The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu is often described as the world's first novel.

During the Edo period, the chōnin ("townspeople") overtook the samurai aristocracy as producers and consumers of literature. The popularity of the works of Saikaku, for example, reveals this change in readership and authorship, while Bashō revivified the poetic tradition of the Kokinshū with his haikai (haiku) and wrote the poetic travelogue Oku no Hosomichi. The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms as Japanese literature integrated Western influences. Natsume Sōseki and Mori Ōgai were significant novelists in the early 20th century, followed by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Kafū Nagai and, more recently, Haruki Murakami and Kenji Nakagami. Japan has two Nobel Prize-winning authors – Yasunari Kawabata (1968) and Kenzaburō Ōe (1994).

Japanese philosophy has historically been a fusion of both foreign, particularly Chinese and Western, and uniquely Japanese elements. In its literary forms, Japanese philosophy began about fourteen centuries ago. Confucian ideals remain evident in the Japanese concept of society and the self, and in the organization of the government and the structure of society. Buddhism has profoundly impacted Japanese psychology, metaphysics, and esthetics.

Performing arts

Main articles: Music of Japan and Theatre of Japan
Noh performance at a Shinto shrine

Japanese music is eclectic and diverse. Many instruments, such as the koto, were introduced in the 9th and 10th centuries. The popular folk music, with the guitar-like shamisen, dates from the 16th century. Western classical music, introduced in the late 19th century, forms an integral part of Japanese culture. Kumi-daiko (ensemble drumming) was developed in postwar Japan and became very popular in North America. Popular music in post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European trends, which has led to the evolution of J-pop. Karaoke is a significant cultural activity.

The four traditional theaters from Japan are noh, kyōgen, kabuki, and bunraku. Noh is one of the oldest continuous theater traditions in the world.

Media

Main articles: Cinema of Japan, Manga, Anime, and Media of Japan

According to the 2015 NHK survey on television viewing in Japan, 79 percent of Japanese watch television daily. Japanese television dramas are viewed both within Japan and internationally. Many Japanese media franchises have gained considerable global popularity and are among the world's highest-grossing media franchises. Japanese newspapers are among the most circulated in the world as of 2016.

Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries globally. Ishirō Honda's Godzilla became an international icon of Japan and spawned an entire subgenre of kaiju films, as well as the longest-running film franchise in history. Japanese comics, known as manga, developed in the mid-20th century and have become popular worldwide. A large number of manga series have become some of the best-selling comics series of all time, rivalling the American comics industry. Japanese animated films and television series, known as anime, were largely influenced by Japanese manga and have become highly popular globally.

Holidays

Main articles: Public holidays in Japan and Japanese festivals
Young women celebrate Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) in Harajuku, Tokyo.

Officially, Japan has 16 national, government-recognized holidays. Public holidays in Japan are regulated by the Public Holiday Law (国民の祝日に関する法律, Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu) of 1948. Beginning in 2000, Japan implemented the Happy Monday System, which moved a number of national holidays to Monday in order to obtain a long weekend. The national holidays in Japan are New Year's Day on January 1, Coming of Age Day on the second Monday of January, National Foundation Day on February 11, The Emperor's Birthday on February 23, Vernal Equinox Day on March 20 or 21, Shōwa Day on April 29, Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, Children's Day on May 5, Marine Day on the third Monday of July, Mountain Day on August 11, Respect for the Aged Day on the third Monday of September, Autumnal Equinox on September 23 or 24, Health and Sports Day on the second Monday of October, Culture Day on November 3, and Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23.

Cuisine

Main article: Japanese cuisine
A plate of nigiri-zushi

Japanese cuisine offers a vast array of regional specialties that use traditional recipes and local ingredients. Seafood and Japanese rice or noodles are traditional staples. Japanese curry, since its introduction to Japan from British India, is so widely consumed that it can be termed a national dish, alongside ramen and sushi. Traditional Japanese sweets are known as wagashi. Ingredients such as red bean paste and mochi are used. More modern-day tastes include green tea ice cream.

Popular Japanese beverages include sake, a brewed rice beverage that typically contains 14–17% alcohol and is made by multiple fermentation of rice. Beer has been brewed in Japan since the late 17th century. Green tea is produced in Japan and prepared in forms such as matcha, used in the Japanese tea ceremony.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Japan
Sumo wrestlers form around the referee during the ring-entering ceremony.

Traditionally, sumo is considered Japan's national sport. Japanese martial arts such as judo and kendo are taught as part of the compulsory junior high school curriculum. Baseball is the most popular sport in the country. Japan's top professional league, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), was established in 1936. Since the establishment of the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) in 1992, association football gained a wide following. The country co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. Japan has one of the most successful football teams in Asia, winning the Asian Cup four times, and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011. Golf is also popular in Japan.

In motorsport, Japanese automotive manufacturers have been successful in multiple different categories, with titles and victories in series such as Formula One, MotoGP, and the World Rally Championship. Drivers from Japan have victories at the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as podium finishes in Formula One, in addition to success in domestic championships. Super GT is the most popular national racing series in Japan, while Super Formula is the top-level domestic open-wheel series. The country hosts major races such as the Japanese Grand Prix.

Japan hosted the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964 and the Winter Olympics in Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998. The country hosted the official 2006 Basketball World Championship and co-hosted the 2023 Basketball World Championship. Tokyo hosted the 2020 Summer Olympics in 2021, making Tokyo the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice. The country gained the hosting rights for the official Women's Volleyball World Championship on five occasions, more than any other country. Japan is the most successful Asian Rugby Union country and hosted the 2019 IRB Rugby World Cup.

See also

Notes

  1. The Government of Japan uses a different seal.
  2. Japanese: 日本, Nihon [ɲihoꜜɴ] or Nippon [ɲippoꜜɴ] , formally 日本国, Nihon-koku or Nippon-koku. In Japanese, the name of the country as it appears on official documents, including the country's constitution, is 日本国, meaning "State of Japan". The short name 日本 is also often used officially. In English, the official name of the country is simply "Japan".

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