| 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
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LDP group calls for building new Aegis destroyer
on October 23, 2020
A group of lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday proposed that the government build a new Aegis destroyer as an alternative to ...
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Japan to send new team to work out long-term measures for Mauritius aid
on October 23, 2020
Japan will send a new team of experts to Mauritius to work out long-term measures to help the country recover from damage to its environment ...
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Plea to improve habitat after spate of bear attacks in Japan
by Justin McCurry in Tokyo on October 23, 2020
Experts warn of more encounters as animals forced into populated areas to find foodA spate of bear attacks in Japan has prompted calls to improve their natural habitat, as experts warned of more potentially dangerous encounters with the animals as they venture into populated areas in search of food.Japanese media have reported several incidents of “ursine […]
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Tokyo man arrested over dismembered body in Niigata Prefecture
on October 23, 2020
The body, in several pieces, was found Monday inside a closet in an apartment in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture.
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Government suggests extended New Year break to cut COVID-19 risks
by Kazuaki Nagata on October 23, 2020
During Japan's New Year holiday season, a time for family reunions, train stations and airports typically become overcrowded.
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Ahead of Diet session, speculation over Japan election timing grows
by Satoshi Sugiyama on October 23, 2020
Scheduling the vote will be an important test of Suga's acumen as a politician, and could affect his standing within the ruling party.
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Japan to recruit astronauts in 2021, first intake in 13 years
on October 23, 2020
Tokyo is aiming to have a Japanese national on the moon for the first time in the latter half of the 2020s.
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Japan defense chief and Okinawa governor still at odds over U.S. base
on October 23, 2020
Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki met Thursday to discuss the issue of relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the ...
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Princess Mako, niece of Emperor Naruhito, turns 29
on October 23, 2020
Princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito and the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, turned 29 on Friday, marking her birthday at a time ...
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Oyster firms suffer as travel ban exposes reliance on foreign trainees
on October 23, 2020
The shortage of manpower due to the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to deal a heavy blow to Hiroshima Prefecture’s oyster industry.
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Japanese schools struggle with sports days in the age of COVID-19
on October 23, 2020
The need to maintain social distancing and enforce sanitizing measures has seen numerous changes to the traditional event.
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Tokyo confirms 186 new coronavirus cases
on October 23, 2020
The capital has now seen 29,706 people infected during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Miyagi assembly approves restart of Onagawa nuclear reactor
on October 23, 2020
It is now highly likely that Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai will agree to resuming operation of the No. 2 reactor at the nuclear plant.
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Fifth of Japan’s workforce may be in medical and welfare jobs by 2040
on October 23, 2020
A government report says teleworking may have a large impact on social security and work styles in the future.
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Tokyo to start tourism subsidy program exclusively for residents
on October 23, 2020
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched its own travel subsidy program Friday, offering Tokyoites discounts of ¥5,000 per person for a one-night stay costing ¥6,000 or ...
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang may visit Japan in November
on October 23, 2020
The trip would be the first by a senior diplomat of the Chinese government since Yoshihide Suga became prime minister.
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Fukushima reactor water could damage human DNA if released, says Greenpeace
by Justin McCurry in Tokyo on October 23, 2020
Environmental organisation says ‘dangerous’ levels of carbon-14 exist in water that could soon be released into Pacific oceanContaminated water that will reportedly be released into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a Greenpeace investigation has […]
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Record 612,000 bullying cases logged over last school year in Japan
on October 22, 2020
Bullying was found to have led to 10 suicides among schoolchildren during fiscal 2019.
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Halloween revelry in Japan to take new forms during pandemic
on October 22, 2020
Shibuya has been rendered in a virtual form to allow people to show up as costumed avatars for the night.
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Two-hour coronavirus test to be made available at Narita airport
on October 22, 2020
The facility will offer negative test certificates and will be able to process 700 people per day.
