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 to offer omicron COVID shots to people vaccinated at least twiceby No Author on August 8, 2022
The vaccines have been reported to provide some increase in neutralizing antibodies against the BA.5 subtype currently prevalent across the country.
- Japan study shows preimplantation genetic testing leads to fewer miscarriagesby No Author on August 8, 2022
The trial analyzed women who had suffered miscarriages repeatedly or had not become pregnant even after transplanting fertilized eggs in their wombs multiple times.
- COVID-19 tracker: Tokyo confirms 17,884 new casesby No Author on August 8, 2022
The seven-day moving average of new infections fell 3% week on week to 31,150.7.
- Kishida Cabinet’s approval rating falls as headwinds mountby Will Fee on August 8, 2022
Rising COVID-19 cases have started to weigh on the prime minister's popularity, while links between the LDP and the Unification Church are also having an ...
- Japan tech giant SoftBank posts $23 billion quarterly lossby Via AP news wire on August 8, 2022
Japanese technology company SoftBank Group posted a $23 billion loss in the April-June quarter as the value of its investments sank amid global worries about inflation and interest rates
- Self-Defense Forces member attacked in Solomon Islandsby No Author on August 8, 2022
The injured man was a 27-year-old media spokesman on the MSDF's Kirisame destroyer, which was visiting as part of a regional training exercise, a Japanese ...
- What it would mean for Japan to downgrade its COVID classificationby Kanako Takahara on August 8, 2022
Changing the classification could reduce the burden on sections of the medical system, but at the cost of limiting authorities' understanding of the pandemic.
- Pair of state-run Tokyo universities to consider mergingby No Author on August 8, 2022
The two universities are aiming to integrate operations and apply for financial assistance from a planned state fund designed to support research institutes.
- Abe’s killing continues to ripple through Japan a month onby No Author on August 8, 2022
The assassination of one of the most powerful politicians in Japan has sent shockwaves across the country, where gun violence is extremely rare.
- Political newcomer Sanseito making waves in Okinawa electionsby No Author on August 8, 2022
Sanseito, which has strong conservative policies, was formed in 2020 under the slogan, “There is no party we want to vote for, so we are ...
- Fukushima firm develops drones for inspection of wind turbinesby No Author on August 8, 2022
Fukushima Sangikyo, a company in the city of Fukushima that develops and produces communications equipment, succeeded in developing the system after repeated trial and error.
- Australia calls for cooling of Taiwan Strait tensionsby Via AP news wire on August 8, 2022
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for a cooling of tensions after Beijing accused her of “finger-pointing” in her criticism of China’s military exercises in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
- UN chief urges nuke powers to abide by no-first-use pledgeby Via AP news wire on August 8, 2022
The United Nations is urging countries with nuclear weapons to stick to their no-first-use commitment of the atomic arsenals
- Historical records unsorted in 40% of Japanese municipalitiesby No Author on August 8, 2022
Historical public records are documents recognized as having historical or cultural value, such as records of disasters and accidents, as well as those linked to ...
- Number of kids on nursery waiting lists plummets in Tokyoby No Author on August 8, 2022
The number of children on day care waiting lists in Tokyo hit a record low as of April this year, falling 97% from the most ...
- One month on, LDP conservatives still in shock over loss of Abeby No Author on August 8, 2022
There are concerns that the loss of the former primer minister could lead to a "drifting" conservative camp with no clear candidate to succeed him ...
- ‘We are so far behind’: Japan laments lack of progress on same-sex marriageby Justin McCurry in Tokyo on August 8, 2022
Advocates hope upcoming ruling in Tokyo district court will help spur progress on issue that already has public backingBarely a year has passed since the Tokyo Olympics were promoted as a celebration of diversity. In June, the Japanese capital became the latest city to recognise same-sex partnerships, and recent upper house elections featured a record four […]
- China-Taiwan news: Top Taiwan official found dead as China accused of attack simulationby Namita Singh,Gustaf Kilander and Vishwam Sankaran on August 7, 2022
Official had assumed charge to lead various missile production projects that sought to nearly double output
- Japan and U.S. vow to enhance ties with Solomon Islands amid China cloutby No Author on August 7, 2022
Senior U.S. and Japanese officials reiterate their countries' commitment to reinvesting in relationships with Pacific island nations amid China's increasing influence in the region.
- Japan to have challenges in ASEAN ties as tensions over Taiwan growby Keita Nakamura on August 7, 2022
Southeast Asia is regarded as being at the forefront of the rivalry between Japan and China and recent tensions over Taiwan are expected to create ...