| 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
- Stray Dog/High and Low review – Kurosawa lifts crime drama to astonishing new peaksby Peter Bradshaw on January 22, 2025
★★★★★/★★★★★Drawing on hardboiled US fiction, as American film had fed on his own Seven Samurai, the director brings unforgettable intensity to his anxious noirAkira Kurosawa’s scalding 1949 cop thriller Stray Dog (★★★★★), with its extended closeup shot of a mad dog snarling into the camera over the opening credits, is about a […]
- What it’s like to hike Japan’s sacred Kumano Kodo trailby John Kampfner on January 22, 2025
This tranquil walking route that takes in waterfalls, temples and hot springs is the perfect antidote to Japan’s overtourism, as John Kampfner discovers
- Sinner demolishes De Minaur to set up Melbourne semi with Sheltonon January 22, 2025
The Italian world No. 1 showed no signs of the health issues that hampered him in his last match.
- Japan's department stores look at unorthodox Valentine's Day treatson January 22, 2025
According to a pastry shop owner, the total costs for chocolate products, including those for packing materials, "have doubled."
- Japan sees data center-driven power boom in Hokkaidoon January 22, 2025
Annual power demand for Hokkaido is expected to increase by 1.2% on average into fiscal 2034, a report has said.
- Ruling parties agree to discuss dual surname systemon January 22, 2025
Party leaders stopped short of deciding when to begin discussions on the issue.
- Pharrell Williams kicks off Paris Fashion Week with Louis Vuitton streetwear showby Lara Owen on January 22, 2025
The show established Louis Vuitton as the luxury leader in streetwear.
- After the fire, should some parts of Los Angeles never rebuild?on January 22, 2025
Researchers warn that wildfires pose very different risks from more predictable events like sea-level rise and riverbank flooding.
- Aquarium tapes human cutouts to tank after lonely sunfish refuses to eat aloneby Rich Booth on January 22, 2025
The sunfish ate for the first time in about a week after human cutouts were used
- China's navy commissions new-generation frigate as competition rises with US and othersby Christopher Bodeen on January 22, 2025
China has commissioned a new-generation frigate as competition rises with the U.S. and other regional powers, saying the ship will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness" of its forces
- Sunfish that began ailing after aquarium's closure recovers after human cutouts set up outside tankby Mari Yamaguchi on January 22, 2025
A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in Japan lost its appetite, began banging into the side of the fishtank and appeared unwell days after the facility closed last month for renovations
- Even this year is the best time ever to be aliveon January 22, 2025
Another way of looking at it: Every day over the past couple of years, roughly 30,000 people moved out of extreme poverty worldwide.
- Fuji TV scandal sparks probes on exploitation within TV industryon January 22, 2025
The sexual misconduct allegations against TV host and former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai have thrown a spotlight on the TV industry's culture and ethics.
- Inoue believes unusual leadup to Kim fight could be 'big plus'on January 22, 2025
Inoue was supposed to face Sam Goodman last month. Instead, he will defend his belts on Friday against Kim Ye-joon, who stepped in after Goodman was injured in training.
- Ueda’s doctrine for the BOJ is finally emergingon January 22, 2025
Instead of the Bank of Japan's actions strengthening the yen as once hoped, recent steps have only caused further weakening.
- Donald Trump announces up to $500bn investment in AI projectby Josh Boak and Zeke Miller on January 22, 2025
President Donald Trump is announcing investments worth up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank
- China families appeal to free relatives held by scam gangs in Myanmaron January 22, 2025
Chinese law does not consider men as potential victims of human trafficking.
- Hamas' tight grip on Gaza complicates plan for lasting peaceon January 22, 2025
Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza and its hold on power represents a challenge to implementing a permanent ceasefire.
- SoftBank to help fund and lead Trump-backed Stargate AI project, a $500 billion ventureon January 22, 2025
The president said it will be the largest AI infrastructure ever built and that it will help counter technology threats from China and other countries.
- Advertisers flee major Japanese TV channel amid sexual assault claims against star presenterby Shahana Yasmin on January 22, 2025
Scandal has raised questions about the industry’s seemingly lax attitude to sexual crimes
