| 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 eyes up to ¥43 trillion for five-year defense spending planby No Author on December 3, 2022
The new numbers marked a compromise between the defense and finance ministries amid concerns about worsening one of the industrial world's worst debt burdens.
- Japan to expand Okinawa-based ground force unit amid China threatby No Author on December 3, 2022
The Defense Ministry plans to increase the number of infantry regiments under the GSDF's 15th brigade to two, as well as upgrade its highest rank ...
- Global conference stresses need to put women’s issues at top of policy agendasby Tomoko Otake on December 3, 2022
Leaders and luminaries weigh in on how to incorporate women’s perspectives into government and business decision-making.
- LDP lawmakers say taxes should not be hiked to cover rising defense spendingby No Author on December 3, 2022
A group of young lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has compiled a draft proposal urging the government to issue bonds to cover the spending ...
- Three British men held over 2015 jewelry store robbery in Tokyoby No Author on December 3, 2022
A transfer of the three to Japan is being discussed in Britain, which does not have an extradition treaty with Tokyo.
- Japan, U.K. and Italy close to agreement on fighter jet projectby No Author on December 3, 2022
Joining a major defense development project with a partner other than the U.S. is a break with tradition for Japan, which is in the process ...
- Japan enacts legislation to prepare for future pandemicsby No Author on December 3, 2022
Parliament has enacted legislation to take steps in preparing for future pandemics, including establishing a new rule obliging major hospitals to offer beds.
- Kishida denies report on possible coalition with DPPby No Author on December 3, 2022
Sources said Friday that LDP and DPP executives had been in contact behind closed doors to pave the way for negotiations on forming a three-party ...
- EXPLAINER: Why Japan's World Cup goal was judged validby Graham Dunbar on December 2, 2022
The most controversial goal of the World Cup so far was scored by Japan and it eliminated Germany
- North Korea hit with new sanctions over missile programmeby Arpan Rai on December 2, 2022
North Korea calls South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and his government ‘idiots’ and ‘wild dog gnawing on a bone given by the US’
- Qataris mock Germany over World Cup exit following LGBT+ rowby Eleanor Sly on December 2, 2022
Fans showed directions to Doha airport to help the German team leave
- Japan OKs $216B extra budget to counter impact of inflationby Mari Yamaguchi on December 2, 2022
Japan’s parliament has approved a hefty 29 trillion yen ($216 billion) supplementary budget to fund measures to counter the blow to household finances from rising food and utility costs and the weaker yen
- Issei Sagawa, Japanese cannibal who walked free, dies at 73by No Author on December 2, 2022
Iseei Sagawa made no secret of his crime and capitalized on his notoriety, including with a novel-like memoir in which he reminisced about the murder ...
- Mixed messages: What the Tokyo Court’s same-sex marriage ruling really meansby Kanako Takahara on December 2, 2022
In saying the prohibition of same-sex marriage is both constitutional and in a “state of violating” the Constitution, the court was signaling that it wants ...
- Japanese lawmaker retracts past remarks on LGBTQ and other minoritiesby No Author on December 2, 2022
The member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had been facing fresh scrutiny for the comments she made several years ago.
- COVID-19 tracker: Tokyo reports over 11,200 new casesby No Author on December 2, 2022
The seven-day average of new cases rose 24.7% week on week to 11,762.4 in Tokyo.
- No abnormalities found in emperor’s prostate tissue sampleby No Author on December 2, 2022
The Imperial Household Agency said the emperor has no symptoms and is spending his days as usual.
- Messi, Argentina try to avoid World Cup upset vs. Australiaby Steve Douglas on December 2, 2022
Australia’s players speak in glowing and almost reverential terms about Lionel Messi
- The Tokyo Games bribery and bid-rigging scandals: What you need to knowby Kazuaki Nagata on December 2, 2022
Allegations of bid-rigging by leading advertising firms for Games test events have recently surfaced, adding to a scandal over suspected bribes paid for sponsorship contracts.
- Japan ruling bloc agrees on acquiring ‘counterstrike capability’by No Author on December 2, 2022
The capability, which would allow Japan to fire upon and disable enemy missiles before they are launched from foreign territory, remains controversial among legal experts.
