| 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
- 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.
- Toyo Tire on track to beat profit guidance, CEO says
on October 20, 2025Takashi Shimizu, the tiremaker's CEO, plans to start buying back shares amid resilient U.S. demand.
- Manchester United beats Liverpool to end long wait for victory at Anfield
on October 20, 2025Harry Maguire's 84th-minute header secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in Ruben Amorim's tenure as United boss.
- Nikkei rallies to new record, breaking 49,000, as political certainty returns
on October 20, 2025The index gained about 2.5% less than an hour after the market opened for trading, and broke the 49,000 level for the first time in history soon after the lunch break.
- Japan pushes reuse market as new consumption model
on October 20, 2025The Environment Ministry plans to compile a road map by the end of March 2026 outlining medium- to long-term measures to further boost growth of the sector.
- This year’s economics Nobel holds a warning for the U.S
on October 20, 2025Between 1875 and 1926, 44% of the world’s breakthrough inventions took place in the U.S., with Britain, France and Germany hovering between 14% and 22%.
- Taking pride in its Okinawan roots, Osaka’s Eisa festival marks 50th year
on October 20, 2025The festival celebrating the traditional Okinawan summer dance was created for young workers to resist discrimination and reclaim pride in their roots.
- Japan to conduct survey on online hate speech
on October 20, 2025The Justice Ministry will analyze discriminatory expressions posted on X and other major social media platforms.
- China's Xi mourns death of ex-PM Murayama
on October 20, 2025The Chinese president offered his condolences in a message sent to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday.
- Myanmar's junta says it raided scam compound, seized 30 Starlink receivers
on October 20, 2025Internet sweat shops where workers scam unsuspecting foreigners with business or romance schemes have thrived in war-ravaged Myanmar's lawless border regions.
- LDP and JIP agree on coalition, clearing path for Takaichi to become PM
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.
- World No. 500 Naoyuki Kataoka wins Japan Open to qualify for Masters and British Open
on October 20, 2025The 27-year-old Kataoka beat Satoshi Hara in a playoff to win the title.
- Prices for Hokkaido’s autumn salmon roe jump as catch numbers fall
on October 20, 2025As of early October, 100 grams of autumn salmon roe in central Sapporo was selling for just under ¥2,000.
