|
Japan
Physical. Japan is
a chain of islands located in Eastern Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and
the Sea of Japan It is slightly smaller than California. Japan's climate varies
from tropical in the south to cool and temperate in the north. The terrain is
rugged and mountainous. Japan's primary natural resource is fish.
People. Over 127
million people live in Japan. Japanese is the official and predominant language.
Ethnically, the country is highly monoracial with 99% of Japanese descent while
the remaining 1% is composed mostly of Korean descendants. Two primary religious
traditions, Shinto and Buddhism, are practiced by 84% of inhabitants. Of the
remaining 16%, 0.7% follow a Christian religion.
Government. The
Constitution of post-war Japan names the Japanese people as the ultimate source
of sovereignty and the Emperor as the national symbol. The national parliament
or Diet is composed of two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of
Councilors. The prime minister assisted by a cabinet is also the leader of the
party with the most seats in the Diet. Due to the factional nature of Japanese
party politics, the cabinet and other political positions rotate frequently.
There would be instability in governance except that the Japanese bureaucracy
drafts 80% of the bills submitted to the Diet. Emperor Akihito has been the
emperor since 1989 when he succeeded his
father. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is the current prime minister
Economy. Japan has
created the second largest economy in the world. Between the 1960's and the
early 1990's, Japan experienced an era of unprecedented economic prosperity,
annually growing three times as much as other industrialized nations. A
recession in the 1990's continues to some extent today with the weaknesses of
the economy a concern all over the world. Japan has attempted to dismantle some
trade barriers, but high tariffs and other regulations make it difficult for
foreign companies to do business in Japan. Despite this, foreign investment has
risen annually in Japan.
Currently, Japan is
moving some of its primary industries abroad to take advantage of cheaper labor
markets and in response to growing public concern over the environment.
Companies have relocated to the Philippines, Singapore and in the US in the
Midwest and South.
Some reasons for Japan’s
economic success include the break-up of business conglomerates following WW II,
huge reconstruction aid, the economic advice and political and financial
assistance from the Japanese government, the export-oriented business strategy
favored by business, the Japanese work ethic and saving habits,
company-encouraged employee teamwork and company spirit. In addition there has
been lifetime employment, government investment in private industry, stable
family structure and overall investment in education.
Areas of Concern.
Acidification of water, air and water pollution and the depletion of regional
resources are Japan's primary environmental concerns. Overcrowding of habitable
land and the direction for the second largest economy are of concern. Even with
the lowering of many trade barriers, Japan continues to keep a healthy export to
import ratio. One of the fears limiting a move to open markets further is that
such an opening may cause the destruction of the fundamental Japanese way of
life.
Japan statistics
Geography
Area: 145,882 square miles
Capital: Tokyo (pop 26,546,000)
Environmental concerns: air and water pollution; acidification of water;
depletion of global resources of fish and tropical timber due to Japanese demand
Geographical features: mostly rugged and mountainous
Climate: tropical in the south to cool temperate in the north
People.
127,333,000 people; Japanese (99%); remaining 1% mostly Korean
Annual growth rate: 0.08%
Major language: Japanese
Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist (84%)
Health
and social issues
Life expectancy: Men, 77.7 years; women, 84.5 years
Infant mortality: 3.28 deaths per 1000 live births
1 physician per 546 people
HIV/AIDS rate in adults: less than 0.1%
99% of adults are literate
Compulsory education (ages): 6-15; free
Communication and transportation
71,149,000 main telephone lines (2002)
57,200,000 Internet users (2002)
686,616 miles of highway
14,202 miles of railroad
174 airfields
68,030,000 motor vehicles
Government
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government traditionally
founded in 660 B.C.; constitutional monarchy established in 1947
Emperor Akihito is the head of state; Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is the
head of the government
7 major political parties
Suffrage: universal at 20
Military
Military expenditures are 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Current disputes: various fishing and island disputes with Russia, Korea, China
and Taiwan
Economy
Currency: yen
Per capita GDP: $28,200
GDP: $ 3.4582 trillion
GDP growth rate: 2.7%
Inflation rate: -0.3%
Labor force: (5%) agricultural; (25%) industry; (70%) services
Resources and industry
Natural resources: fish
Agriculture: rice; sugar beets; vegetables; fruit; pork; poultry; dairy and
eggs; fish
Industry: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor
vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals,
ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Exports: $447.1 billion
Imports: $346.6 billion
Suggested web sites
http://www.jin.jcic.or.jp
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
|
