| 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 panel OKs nonprescription sales of morning-after pill
on August 31, 2025The panel also agreed that the product will be classified as a drug that must be taken in the presence of a trained pharmacist for safety reasons.
- Putin and Modi in China for summit hosted by Xi
on August 31, 2025The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization — sometimes touted as an alternative to NATO — is being held in the port city until Monday.
- Over 25% in Japan encountered false information during disasters
on August 31, 2025Nearly half of all respondents, 47.4%, were aware of Disaster Prevention Day. But 74.3% said they had never participated in local disaster response drills.
- Japan fiscal 2026 budget requests likely to top ¥122 trillion
on August 31, 2025The increase is due to surges in debt-servicing costs, including loan repayments and interest payments, and policy-related expenses reflecting rising prices and wages.
- How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
on August 31, 2025From limiting their time outdoors to serving frozen food, the staff at Ueno Zoo take a number of measures to help the animals cope with the heat.
- Yamaguchi prefecture town can store nuclear fuel: Chugoku Electric
on August 31, 2025Chugoku Electric detected no active faults announced low risk factors such as volcanic activity and tsunami.
- Pacifist Japan struggles to boost troops as China anxiety grows
on August 31, 2025In 2023, the Self-Defense Forces aimed to hire almost 20,000 people, but recruited just half that number, according to the Defense Ministry.
- Sukiya to slash beef bowl prices for first time in 11 years
on August 31, 2025The move, which comes after a hike in March, will effectively bring prices back down to levels below its major rivals Yoshinoya and Matsuya.
- What is a ‘Japanese conservative’ in this day and age?
on August 31, 2025My view is that younger voters saw the LDP as a group of elderly, self-absorbed elitists who were out of touch with the issues that mattered to them.
- 'Lots of drama' becomes the norm at tense U.S. Open
on August 31, 2025Spats at the net and tears on the bench have appeared more frequent in New York this year, where players are grasping at their last chance to claim a major title in 2025.
- The Nobel Prize and a testy phone call: How the Trump-Modi relationship unraveled
on August 31, 2025The fallout of a disputed between the two leaders risks pushing India closer to American adversaries in Beijing and Moscow.
- Yamaguchi to face Chen in badminton world final
on August 31, 2025Yamaguchi, a two-time world champion, saw off Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-17, 14-21, 21-6 in the semifinals.
- Robots increasingly used in Japan to enhance business efficiency
on August 31, 2025As the country needs to address labor shortages urgently, companies and workers are exploring how robots and humans can work together better for business efficiency.
- ‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
on August 31, 2025Officials in a Yamanashi town have been struggling to balance welcoming visitors and preserving the quality of life for locals. A new mesh barrier is an attempt at compromise.
- Japan boosting disaster preparedness for pets
on August 31, 2025A ministry official said there is no law making it mandatory to accept pets into shelters.
- Attack and never give up: Inside Japan's deadly boxing scene
on August 31, 2025The twin tragedies sent shockwaves through Japanese boxing, with authorities scrambling to investigate and facing pressure to tighten safety.
- Manchester United's first win not a 'turning point' for Amorim
on August 31, 2025After exiting the League Cup to fourth-tier Grimsby on Wednesday, the Red Devils twice blew a lead at Old Trafford on Saturday.
- Norris needs 'some magic' to beat pole-sitter Piastri in Zandvoort
on August 31, 2025Piastri has a slender nine-point advantage over Norris but can hope to take that back into double digits at seaside Zandvoort, where overtaking is always tricky.
- Osaka ousts Kasatkina to set up U.S. Open last-16 clash with Gauff
on August 31, 2025Osaka lit up Louis Armstrong Stadium in broad daylight, turning her third-round clash into a showcase of power and composure.
- Indonesia’s president scraps China trip after deadly protests
on August 31, 2025The last-minute cancellation comes soon after the demonstrations turned violent on Friday, leaving at least three people dead and dozens of public facilities destroyed.
