| Area Total | 377,915 sq km |
| Climate | varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north |
| Natural Resources | negligible mineral resources, fish, note, with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world’s largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil |
| Imports | China 24.5%, US 11%, Australia 5.8%, South Korea 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2017) – petroleum, liquid natural gas, clothing, semiconductors, coal, audio and visual apparatus (2014 est.) |
| Government | parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Capital | Tokyo |
| Population | 126.2 million (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Japanese 98.1%, Chinese 0.5%, Korean 0.4%, other 1% (includes Filipino, Vietnamese, and Brazilian) (2016 est.) |
| Language | Japanese |
| Exports | US 19.4%, China 19%, South Korea 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.1%, Thailand 4.2% (2017) – motor vehicles, iron and steel products, semiconductors, auto parts, power generating machinery, plastic materials (2014 est.) |
News about Japan
- Japan approves emergency contraceptive pill for over-the-counter sales
on October 20, 2025Aska Pharmaceutical's Norlevo is the first emergency contraceptive pill to be approved for sale without a prescription in the country.
- Former NHK President Katsuji Ebisawa dies at 91
on October 20, 2025He was known for promoting high-definition television and digital terrestrial broadcasting.
- Many websites and apps go dark as Amazon's cloud unit reports global outage
on October 20, 2025AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and trading app Robinhood attributed the outages to AWS.
- Takaichi government will likely spend less than expected
on October 20, 2025The Japan Innovation Party, the Liberal Democratic Party's new coalition partner, could take the edge off some original policy priorities.
- Path clears for Takaichi to become PM as LDP and JIP agree to form coalition
on October 20, 2025The tie-up is expected to see Japan Innovation Party lawmakers vote for LDP President Sanae Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote for prime minister.
- In China, a forbidden question looms: Who leads after Xi?
on October 20, 2025The 72-year-old president has neither an heir apparent nor a clear timetable for designating one.
- Nikkei 225 breaks 49,000 and hits record as political stability returns
on October 20, 2025The benchmark index rose more than 3% in strong trade throughout the day.
- China’s rare earth restrictions aim to beat U.S. at its own game
on October 20, 2025The impacts of the Chinese licensing system would be much broader than U.S. technology controls, which have targeted only more advanced computer chips.
- Scammers drawing in fans with fake AI content of MLB stars during playoffs
on October 20, 2025Experts warn that this strategy of pulling in users can be used to grow accounts that are later sold or rented to more nefarious disinformation campaigns.
- Japan leads in in-depth AI awareness, new global study finds
on October 20, 2025The survey also found that In Japan, 55% were “equally concerned and excited” about the rise of AI in daily life, while 28% were “more concerned than excited.”
- Broncos score 33 points in fourth quarter to stun Giants
on October 20, 2025The 33 fourth-quarter points are the most in NFL history by a team that had been shut out in the first three quarters.
- Government ordered to pay damages for verbal abuse of inmate
on October 20, 2025The ruling came after the bereaved family of the inmate sued the government for some ¥40 million, accusing it of failing to offer proper medical treatment to him.
- DMZ tours in South Korea to be halted amid talk of Trump-Kim meeting
on October 20, 2025Tours to the truce village of Panmunjom will reportedly be halted later this month, in the latest signal that the groundwork is being laid for a possible meeting.
- Indonesian students to protest as Prabowo marks one year in office
on October 20, 2025The former special forces commander's policies have been described as lacking public participation.
- Can the world handle having fewer moms?
on October 20, 2025Fewer women are having children. Those who do are having smaller families than previous generations. This trend transcends the norms of any one culture or place.
- Blue Jays get past Mariners to send ALCS to Game 7
on October 20, 2025Addison Barger hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a solo shot as the Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2 in Game 6.
- Trump urged Zelenskyy to make concessions to Russia in tense meeting
on October 20, 2025Trump also mused about giving security guarantees to both Kyiv and Moscow, comments that the Ukrainian delegation found confusing, sources said.
- Office equipment seller Askul pauses orders and shipments due to cyberattack
on October 20, 2025Ryohin Keikaku, which uses a logistics company affiliated with Askul, has also suspended the website of its Muji brand of household products.
- Former care home worker entered Saitama facility with 'intent to kill'
on October 20, 2025Investigators believe he broke into his former workplace after forming an intent to kill despite holding no grudge against the two residents he allegedly killed.
- Ito mayor likely to lose job as opponents dominate city assembly
on October 20, 2025Almost all have expressed their intentions to support a second no-confidence motion against Mayor Maki Takubo over the falsification of her education background.
