Japan and Talk:Pavlo Tarnovetskyy: Difference between pages

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{{dablink|This page is about the country Japan. For other uses, see the disambiguation pages for [[Japan (disambiguation)|Japan]]}}

|priority=

{{Infobox_Country|

|auto=yes

|native_name = 日本国<br />''Nihon-koku''<br />''Nippon-koku''

|conventional_long_name = State of Japan

|common_name = Japan

|image_flag = Flag of Japan.svg

|image_coat = Imperial Seal of Japan.svg

|symbol_type= Imperial Seal

|image_map = LocationMapJapan.png

|national_motto = ''Peace and Progress (Emperor's motto)''

|national_anthem = [[Kimi Ga Yo]]

|official_languages = [[Japanese language|Japanese language]]

|capital = [[Tokyo]]

|latd=35 |latm=41 |latNS=N |longd=139 |longm=46 |longEW=E |

|largest_city = [[Tokyo]]*

|government_type = [[Constitutional monarchy]]

|leader_title1 = [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]]

|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]]

|leader_name1 = [[Akihito]]

|leader_name2 = [[Junichiro Koizumi]]

|area_rank = 63

|area_magnitude = 1 E11

|area= 377,835

|areami²=145,883 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->

|percent_water = 0.8%

|population_estimate = 128,085,000

|population_estimate_year = 2005

|population_estimate_rank = 10th

|population_census =

|population_census_year =

|population_density = 337

|population_densitymi² =873 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->

|population_density_rank = 18th

|GDP_nominal_year= 2004

|GDP_nominal = 4.8 trillion

|GDP_nominal_rank = 2nd

|GDP_PPP_year= 2006

|GDP_PPP = $4.167 trillion

|GDP_PPP_rank = 3rd

|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $32,640

|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 12th

|sovereignty_type = [[History of Japan|Formation]]

|established_event1 = [[Emperor Jimmu]]

|established_event2 = [[Meiji Restoration]]

|established_event3 = [[Japanese Constitution|Current constitution]]

|established_event4 = [[Treaty of San Francisco]]

|established_date1 = [[660 BC]]

|established_date2 = [[January 3]], [[1868]]

|established_date3 = [[May 3]], [[1947]]

|established_date4 = [[April 28]], [[1952]]

|HDI_year = 2003

|HDI = 0.943

|HDI_rank = 11th

|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>

|currency = [[Japanese yen|Yen]] (¥)

|currency_code = JPY

|country_code = JPN

|time_zone = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]

|utc_offset = +9

|time_zone_DST = None

|utc_offset_DST =

|cctld = [[.jp]]

|calling_code = 81

|footnotes = * Largest urban area. [[Yokohama]] is the largest incorporated city.

}}

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'''Japan''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: 日本, '''Nihon''' or '''Nippon''') is an island [[country]] located in the [[Pacific Ocean]], east of [[Korea]], stretching from the [[Sea of Okhotsk]] in the north to the [[East China Sea]] in the south. It is composed of over 3,000 islands, the largest of which are [[Hokkaido|Hokkaidō]], [[Honshū]], [[Shikoku]], and [[Kyushu|Kyūshū]]. Most of Japan's islands are mountainous, and many are [[volcano|volcanic]]; the highest peak is [[Mount Fuji]].

Early in its history, Japan adopted many customs and institutions from [[Chinese culture|China]] and [[Korean culture|Korea]]. During the 8th century, the emergence of an indigenous culture sparked a "golden age" in Japan called the [[Heian period]], characterized by aesthetic refinement and aristocratic sophistication. Although Japan was [[sakoku|closed to the outside world]] beginning in 1603, the arrival of the "[[Black Ships]]" and the signing of the [[Convention of Kanagawa]] in 1854 signaled the opening of the country to [[Western world|the West]]. After the [[Meiji Restoration]] of 1868, Japan adopted many [[Europe]]an and [[United States|America]]n customs and institutions. [[Japanese culture]] today is a mixture of these many influences.

Presently Japan is the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|second-largest economy]] and one of the world's [[G8|leading industrialized countries]]. It is a [[unitary state|unitary]] [[constitutional monarchy]] with an [[Emperor of Japan|emperor]] and an elected parliament, called the [[Diet of Japan|Diet]], which is one of the oldest legislatures in [[Asia]]. Despite its rugged terrain, Japan is one of the most populous—and one of the most densely populated—countries in the world. Greater [[Tokyo]], with over 30 million residents, is the largest metropolitan area in the world.

Japan's name in the [[kanji]] writing system is often translated as "Land of the Rising Sun", and comes from the country's ___location on the east coast of [[Asia]].

==History==

<!--Please try to keep this section as general as possible. Specific information should be added to a more specific article. This section stresses the most important facts, and leaves analysis of cause and effect to the daughter articles. -->

{{main|History of Japan}}

===Pre-history===

{{History_of_Japan}}

[[Archeology|Archaeological]] research indicates that the earliest inhabitants of the [[Japanese Archipelago]] migrated over [[land bridge|land bridges]] from [[Northeast Asia]] about 30,000 years ago. Other evidence also suggests that some may have later come by sea from [[Southeast Asia]] during a period of migration toward the [[Pacific Ocean]].

[[Image:MiddleJomonVessel.JPG|thumb|left|140px|A Middle [[Jomon]] vessel (3000 to 2000 BC)]]

The first signs of civilization appeared around [[10th millennium BC|10,000 BC]] with the [[Jomon]] culture, characterized by a [[Mesolithic]] to [[Neolithic]] semi-sedentary [[hunter-gatherer]] lifestyle of pit dwelling and a rudimentary form of [[agriculture]]. [[Weaving]] was still unknown and clothes were often made of [[bark]]. Around that time, however, the Jomon people started to make [[clay]] vessels, [[decorated]] with patterns made by impressing the wet clay with braided or unbraided cord and sticks (Jomon means "patterns of plaited cord"). This led to the introduction of the earliest known type of [[pottery]] in the world.

The start of the [[Yayoi]] period around [[300 BC]] marked the influx of new practices such as [[rice]] farming, [[shamanism]], and [[iron]] and [[bronze]]-making brought by migrants from [[China]] and [[Korea]].<ref>"[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-23121?query=Yayoi&ct=]　britannica" "[http://www.bookrags.com/history/worldhistory/yayoi-period-ema-06/ Yayoi Period History Summary]," BookRags.com; Jared Diamond, "[http://www2.gol.com/users/hsmr/Content/East%20Asia/Japan/History/roots.html Japanese Roots]," ''Discover'' 19:6 (June 1998); Thayer Watkins, "[http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/japanorigin.htm The Genetic Origins of the Japanese]"; "[http://cache.britannica.com/eb/article-8481 Shinto - History to 1900]," ''Encyclopædia Britannica''.</ref> These formed the basic elements of traditional Japanese [[culture]], still seen today. As the population increased and society became more complex, they wove cloth, lived in permanent farming villages, constructed buildings of wood and stone, accumulated wealth through landownership and the storage of grain, and developed distinct social classes.

The ensuing [[Kofun era]], beginning around [[250|AD 250]], saw the establishment of strong military states centered around powerful clans. The [[Yamato period|Yamato Court]], concentrated in the [[Asuka]] region, suppressed the clans and acquired agricultural lands, increasing their power. Based upon the Chinese model, they developed a central administration and an imperial court system and society was organized into occupation groups: farmers, fishermen, weavers, potters, artisans, armorers, and ritual specialists.

===Classical era===

The Japanese did not start writing their own histories until the 5th and 6th centuries, when the [[Chinese written language|Chinese writing system]], [[Buddhism]], advanced [[pottery]], ceremonial burial, and other aspects of culture were introduced by aristocrats, artisans, scholars, and monks from [[Baekje]], one of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]].<ref>"[http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=580 Korean Buddhism Basis of Japanese Buddhism]," ''Seoul Times'', June 18, 2006; "[http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/buddhist_trade/koreajapan.html Buddhist Art of Korea & Japan]," Asia Society Museum; "[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2046.html Kanji]," JapanGuide.com; "[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568150_4/Pottery.html Pottery]," MSN Encarta; "[http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=359&pID=334&cName=Japanese History of Japan]," JapanVisitor.com.</ref>

The beginning of Japanese historical writing culminated in the early 8th century with the massive chronicles, [[Kojiki]] (The Record of Ancient Matters, 712) and [[Nihon Shoki]] (Chronicles of Japan, 720). Japan did not appear in written history until 57 AD, when it was first mentioned in Chinese records as the nation of "[[Wa (Japan)|Wa]]" (in [[Chinese language|Chinese]], "Wo"), or "''dwarf state''". The chronicles tell a much different and much more legendary history of Japan, deriving the people of Japan from the gods themselves.

According to traditional Japanese mythology, Japan was founded in the 7th century BC by the ancestral [[Emperor Jimmu]], a direct descendant of the Shinto deity [[Amaterasu]]. It is claimed that he started a line of emperors that remains unbroken to this day. However, historians believe the first emperor who actually existed was [[Emperor Ojin]], though the date of his reign is uncertain. Nonetheless, for most of Japan's history, real power has been in the hands of the court nobility, the [[shogun]]s, the military, or, more recently, prime ministers.

Starting with the [[Taika Reform Edicts]] of 645, Japanese intensified the adoption of Chinese cultural practices and reorganized the government and the penal code in accordance with the Chinese administrative structure (the [[Ritsuryo]] state). This paved the way for the dominance of [[Confucianism|Confucian]] philosophy in Japan until the 19th century.

The use of the word ''Nihon'' (日本) for the emerging state appeared around the end of the 7th century.

[[Image:TodaijiDaibutsu0224.jpg|thumb|160px|The Great [[Buddha]] at [[Todaiji]], [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], originally cast in 752]]

The [[Nara period]] of the 8th century marked the first strong Japanese state, centered around an imperial court, in the city of [[Heijo Palace|Heijo-kyo]] (now [[Nara, Nara|Nara]]). The imperial court then moved briefly to [[Nagaoka]], and later Heian-kyo (now [[Kyoto]]).

The emergence of a distinct indigenous culture in Japan sparked a "golden age" in Japan called the [[Heian period]] which lasted for nearly four centuries. After absorbing so much from the continent over several centuries, the Japanese began to experience a growing sense of self-confidence and appreciation of their own land and heritage, leading to the development of an indigenous [[Japanese culture]]. The [[Japanese art|arts]] and [[Japanese literature|literature]] flourished and, in the early 11th century, [[Murasaki Shikibu|Lady Murasaki]] wrote the world's first known novel called ''[[The Tale of Genji]]''. Although trade expeditions and Buddhist pilgrims continued, the court decided to terminate official relations with China.<ref>"[http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/heia/hd_heia.htm Heian Period]," Metropolitan Museum of Art.</ref> The [[Fujiwara clan]]'s regency regime dominated politics during this period.

===Medieval era===

Japan's [[medieval]] era was characterized by the emergence of a ruling class of [[warrior]]s, the bushi or commonly known in the West as [[samurai]]. In the year 1185, following the defeat of the rival Taira clan, general [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]] was declared Sei-tai [[Shogun]] and established a base of power in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]. After Yoritomo's death, another warrior clan, the [[Hojo clan|Hojo]], came to rule as regents for the [[shogun]]s. The shogunate managed to repel [[Mongols|Mongol]] invasions from [[Mongol invasions of Korea|Mongol-occupied]] [[Korea]] in 1274 and 1281, with assistance from a storm that the Japanese interpreted as divine intervention, and named [[Kamikaze (typhoon)|kamikaze]] (Divine Wind). The [[Kamakura shogunate]] lasted another fifty years. Its successor, the [[Ashikaga shogunate]] failed in the management of [[Daimyo]]. Vassals rebelled against their liege lords and peasants rebelled against their superiors. This led to the "Warring States" or [[Sengoku period|Sengoku]] period.

[[Image:NanbanGroup.JPG|thumb|left|160px|A group of [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] [[Nanban]] foreigners, 17th century]]

During the 16th century, traders and [[missionary|missionaries]] from [[Portugal]] reached Japan for the first time, initiating the ''[[Nanban trade period|Nanban]]'' ("southern barbarian") period of active commercial and cultural exchange between Japan and the West. [[Oda Nobunaga]], [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] established greater control over the warring states of Japan. Nobunaga died in a treacherous attack by one of his generals whom he had humiliated earlier. Hideyoshi, one of Nobunaga's other generals, avenged his master's death, defeating other rivals and completing the reunification of the country. Hideyoshi launched two ill-fated invasions against Korea together called the [[Seven-Year War]]. But [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] China came to Korea's aid and following Hideyoshi's death, Japanese troops were quickly withdrawn.

[[Image:Map of Japan by Keampfer.jpg|thumb|240px|Map of Japan, end of the 17th century.]]

Ieyasu then dominated the political scene and defeated a coalition of rival clans. He was eventually declared shogun and worked to consolidate the hold of his clan on Japan, setting up the [[Bakuhan taisei]] feudal system and implementing [[Sankin-kotai]] to ensure the loyalty of the vassal lords. After Ieyasu, the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] began to pursue the ''[[Sakoku]]'' ("closed country") policy of [[isolation]]. Lasting for two and a half centuries, this during a time of tenuous political unity known as the [[Edo period]], often considered to be the height of Japan's medieval culture. The study of Western sciences, known as ''[[Rangaku]]'', continued during this period through contacts with the [[Dutch]] enclave at [[Dejima]] in [[Nagasaki]].

===Modern era===

====Meiji Restoration====

{{main article|Meiji Restoration}}

[[Image:Japanese_Empire2.png|thumb|200px|The Empire of Japan encompassed most of East and Southeast Asia at its height, in 1942]]

On [[March 31]], [[1854]], [[Commodore (USN)| Commodore]] [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)| Matthew Perry]] and the "[[Black Ships]]" of the [[United States Navy]] forced the opening of Japan to the West with the [[Convention of Kanagawa]]. The [[Boshin War]] of 1867 to 1868 led to the resignation of the shogunate, and the [[Meiji Restoration]] established a government centered around the emperor. One of the main figures that helped bring change was [[Fukuzawa Yukichi]] who wrote "[[Datsu-A Ron|Leaving Asia]]", encouraging Japan to disassociate itself from Asia and modernize through [[Westernization]].

====Imperial Japan====

{{main article|Imperial Japan}}

During the [[Meiji period]], Japan adopted numerous Western institutions, including a modern government, legal system, and military. These reforms helped transform the [[Empire of Japan]] into a world power, defeating [[China]] in the [[First Sino-Japanese War]] (1894-1895) and [[Russia]] in the [[Russo-Japanese War]] (1904-1905). The Russo-Japanese war is important because it was the first time that an Asian country had defeated a European imperial power. By 1910, Japan controlled [[Korea]], [[Taiwan]], and the southern half of [[Sakhalin]].

The early 20th century saw a brief period of "[[Taisho democracy]]" overshadowed by the rise of [[Japanese expansionism]]. [[World War I]] enabled Japan, which fought on the side of the victorious [[Allies]], to expand its influence in Asia, and its territorial holdings in the Pacific. In 1936, however, Japan signed the [[Anti-Comintern Pact]], joining Germany and Italy to form the [[Axis Powers|Axis]] alliance. Japan invaded China, occupying [[Manchuria]] in 1931, and continued its expansion into China in 1937, starting the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] (1937-1945), which lasted until the end of [[World War II]]. In 1941, Japan [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked the United States naval base]] in [[Pearl Harbor]] as well as [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Netherlands|Dutch]] colonies in [[Southeast Asia]], bringing the [[United States]] into the war.

[[Image:nagasakibomb.jpg|200px|thumb|The [[Fat Man]] [[mushroom cloud]] resulting from the [[nuclear explosion]] over [[Nagasaki]] rises 18 km (60,000 ft) into the air from the [[hypocenter]]. ]]

After a long campaign in the Pacific Ocean, Japan lost many of its initial territorial gains, and American forces moved close enough to begin [[strategic bombing]] of Tokyo, [[Osaka]], and other major cities, as well as the [[atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing]]s of [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]]. The Japanese eventually agreed to an unconditional surrender to the Allies on [[August 15]], [[1945]] ([[V-J Day]]). The [[International Military Tribunal for the Far East|Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal]] was convened on [[May 3]][[1946]] to prosecute [[Japanese war crimes]], including atrocities like the [[Nanking Massacre]]. Emperor [[Hirohito]], however, was given immunity and retained his title.

====Modern Japan====

The war cost millions of lives in Japan and other countries, especially in [[East Asia]], and left much of the country's industries and infrastructure destroyed. Official [[Occupied Japan|American occupation]] lasted until 1952, although [[United States Forces Japan|U.S. forces]] still retain important bases in Japan, especially in [[Okinawa]]. In 1947, Japan adopted a new [[pacifism|pacifist]] [[Constitution of Japan|constitution]], seeking international cooperation and emphasizing human rights and democratic practices.

After the occupation, under a program of aggressive industrial development and U.S. assistance, Japan achieved spectacular growth to become one of the largest economies in the world. Despite a major [[stock market crash]] in 1990, from which the country is recovering gradually, Japan remains a global economic power today and is now bidding for a permanent seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]].

==Government and politics==

[[Image:Akihito.jpg|thumb|left|160px|[[Emperor Akihito]]]]

[[Image:The Diet.jpg|thumb|240|The [[Parliament]] sits in joint session.]]

<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->

{{morepolitics|country=Japan}}

In academic studies, Japan is generally considered a [[constitutional monarchy]], based largely upon the British system with strong influences from European continental [[civil law]] countries such as Germany and France. For example, in 1896 the Japanese government established ''Minpo'', the [[Civil Code]], on the French model. With post-World War II modifications, the code remains in effect in present-day Japan.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043364?hook=6804 "Japanese Civil Code"], ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved 14 May 2006.</ref>

===Parliament===

The [[Constitution of Japan]] states that the nation's "highest organ of state power" is its bicameral [[parliament]], the [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]] (''Kokkai''). The Diet consists of a [[House of Representatives of Japan|House of Representatives]] (Lower House or ''Shūgi-in'') containing 480 seats, elected by popular vote every 4 years or when dissolved, and a [[House of Councillors]] (Upper House or ''Sangi-in'') of 242 seats, whose popularly-elected members serve six-year terms. There is universal adult (over 20 years old) [[suffrage]], with a [[secret ballot]] for all elective offices.

The [[Cabinet of Japan|Cabinet]] is composed of a [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] and ministers of state, and is responsible to the Diet. The Prime Minister must be a member of the [[Diet]], and is designated by his colleagues. The Prime Minister has the power to appoint and remove ministers, a majority of whom must be Diet members. The [[Liberal conservatism|liberal conservative]] [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) has been in power since 1955, except for a short-lived [[coalition government]] formed from its opposition parties in 1993; the largest opposition party is the liberal-socialist [[Democratic Party of Japan]].

===The Imperial household===

The [[Imperial Household of Japan]] is headed by the Emperor of Japan. The Constitution of Japan defines the emperor to be "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". He performs ceremonial duties and holds no real power; not even emergency [[reserve power]]s. Power is mainly held by the Prime Minister, and other elected members of the [[Diet]]. Sovereignty is vested in the [[Japanese people]] by the constitution. Though his official status is disputed, on diplomatic occasions the emperor tends to behave (with widespread public support, it should be noted) as though he were a [[head of state]]. As of 2006 Japan is the only country in the world which is headed by an [[emperor]].

==Foreign relations and military==

{{main articles|[[Foreign relations of Japan]] and [[Japan Self-Defense Forces|Military of Japan]]}}

[[Image:Bushkoizumi.jpg|250px|thumb|left|[[Junichiro Koizumi]] and [[George W. Bush]] in Tokyo, Japan]]

[[Image:koizumi with bush.jpg|thumb|Koizumi and [[U.S.]] President [[George W. Bush]] meet at the White House on [[September 25]], [[2001]]]]

<!--[[Image:JapanTokyoNijubashi.jpg|thumb|The [[Kokyo|Imperial Palace]] in Tokyo is the primary residence of the emperor]]-->

Japan maintains close economic and military ties with its key ally, the [[United States]], and the [[Japanese-American relations|US-Japan security alliance]] serves as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Japan is a member state of the [[United Nations]] and currently serving as a non-permanent [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] member. It is also one of the "[[G4 nations]]" seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.

As a major economic power, Japan is a member of the [[G8]]. It is also a member of the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], a part of the "[[ASEAN]] plus three" group, and a participant in the [[East Asia Summit]]. The country is a leader in [[international aid]] and development efforts, donating 0.19% of its [[Gross National Income]] in 2004.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/40/3/35389786.pdf Net Official Development Assistance In 2004], Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 11 April 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2006. {{PDFlink}}</ref>

Japan's relationship with its neighbors, however, can be described as tenuous at best. It currently has territorial disputes with [[Russia]] over the [[Kuril Island conflict|Kuril Islands]], with [[South Korea]] over [[Dokdo]] (Takeshima), with the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) and the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan) over the [[Senkaku Islands]] (Diaoyutai Islands) and with the People's Republic of China over the status of [[Okinotori]]. These disputes are in part about the control of marine and natural resources, such as possible reserves of [[crude oil]] and [[natural gas]].

In recent years, Japan has had an ongoing dispute with [[North Korea]] over its [[North Korean abductions of Japanese|abduction of Japanese citizens]] and [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]].

Japan's military is restricted by [[Article 9]] of the [[Constitution of Japan]] that states that, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes." Thus, Japan's current constitution prohibits the use of military force to wage war against other countries.

Japan's military is primarily consisted of the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]], the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]], and the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]]. Its military budget is estimated to be the sixth largest in the world at around $48 billion per year. The forces have been recently used [[peacekeeping]] operations and [[Deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq|Japan's recent deployment of non-combat troops to Iraq]] marked the first overseas use of its military since [[World War II]].

==Geography and climate==

[[Image:Satellite image of Japan in May 2003.jpg||thumb|right|200px|Satellite image of Japan]]

{{main|Geography of Japan}}

Japan, a country of [[island]]s, extends along the eastern or [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast of [[Asia]]. The main islands, running from north to south, are [[Hokkaido]], [[Honshū|Honshu]] (or the mainland), [[Shikoku]], and [[Kyushu]]. [[Naha, Okinawa|Naha]] in the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryukyu]] archipelago is over 600 kilometres (375&nbsp;[[mile|mi]]) to the southwest of Kyushu. In addition, about 3,000 smaller islands may be counted in the full extent of the [[archipelago]].

Japan is the 19th [[list of countries by population density|most densely populated country]] in the world. About 70 to 80 percent of the country is forested, [[mountain]]ous <ref>http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566679/Japan.html "Japan," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2006

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.</ref><ref>http://www.worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Japan "Japan Information", © 1997 - 2006 World InfoZone Ltd</ref>,and unsuitable for [[Agriculture|agricultural]], [[Industry|industrial]], or residential use, due to the generally steep elevations, climate, and risk of landslides caused by earthquakes, soft ground, and heavy rain. This has resulted in an extremely high population density in the habitable zones that are mainly located in coastal areas.

Its ___location on the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]], at the juncture of three tectonic plates, gives Japan frequent low-intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity. Destructive [[earthquake]]s, often resulting in [[tsunami]]s, occur several times each century. The most recent major quakes include the [[2004 Chuetsu Earthquake]] and the [[Great Hanshin earthquake|Great Hanshin Earthquake]] of [[1995]]. [[Onsen|Hot springs]] are numerous, and have been developed as resorts.

The climate of Japan is predominantly [[temperate]] but varies greatly from north to south. Japan's geographical features divide it into six principal climatic zones:

*[[Hokkaido]]: The northernmost zone has a temperate climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. [[precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snow banks in the winter.

*[[Sea of Japan]]: On Honshu's west coast, the northwest wind in the wintertime brings heavy snowfall. In the summer, the region is cooler than the Pacific area, though it sometimes experiences extremely hot temperatures, due to the [[Föhn wind]] phenomenon.

*[[Chuo-kochi|Central Highlands]]: A typical inland climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter, and between day and night. Precipitation is light.

*[[Inland Sea|Seto Inland Sea]]: The mountains of the [[Chugoku region|Chugoku]] and [[Shikoku]] regions shelter the region from the seasonal winds, bringing mild weather throughout the year.

*Pacific Ocean: The east coast experiences cold winters with little snowfall and hot, humid summers due to the southeast seasonal wind.

*[[Ryukyu Islands|Southwest Islands]]: The Ryukyu Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season. [[Tropical cyclone|Typhoons]] are common.

The main [[Monsoon|rainy season]] begins in early May in Okinawa, and the stationary rain front responsible for this gradually works its way north until it dissipates in northern Japan before reaching Hokkaido in late July. In most of Honshu, the rainy season begins before the middle of June and lasts about six weeks. In late summer and early [[autumn]], [[typhoon]]s often bring heavy rain.

Japan is home to nine forest [[Ecoregions of Japan|ecoregions]] which reflect the climate and geography of the islands. They range from [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|subtropical moist broadleaf forests]] in the Ryukyu and Bonin islands, to [[temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]] in the mild climate regions of the main islands, to [[temperate coniferous forests]] in the cold, winter portions of the northern islands.

==Administrative subdivisions==

[[Image:Japan prefectures.png|right|300px|frame|Map of the [[prefectures of Japan]]]]

{{main|Prefectures of Japan}}

Japan has 47 [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]]. The prefecture is the largest administrative subdivision. Each has an elected governor and legislature, and an administrative bureaucracy.

The prefectures are often grouped into [[Regions of Japan|regions]]. Those regions are not formally specified, they do not have elected officials, nor are they corporate bodies.

This table shows a commonly accepted example of organization of prefectures into regions, from north to south.

{| class=wikitable

! Region

! Prefectures

|-

! [[Hokkaido|Hokkaidō]]

| [[Hokkaido|Hokkaidō]]

|-

! [[Tohoku region|Tōhoku]]

| [[Akita Prefecture|Akita]], [[Aomori Prefecture|Aomori]], [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]], [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]], [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]], [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]]

|-

! [[Kanto region|Kantō]]

| [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]], [[Gunma Prefecture|Gunma]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]], [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]], [[Tokyo]]

|-

! [[Chubu region|Chūbu]]

| [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]], [[Fukui Prefecture|Fukui]], [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]], [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]], [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]], [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]], [[Toyama Prefecture|Toyama]], [[Yamanashi Prefecture|Yamanashi]]

|-

! [[Kansai]]

| [[Hyogo Prefecture|Hyōgo]], [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]], [[Mie Prefecture|Mie]], [[Nara Prefecture|Nara]], [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]], [[Shiga Prefecture|Shiga]], [[Wakayama Prefecture|Wakayama]]

|-

! [[Chugoku region|Chūgoku]]

| [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]], [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]], [[Shimane Prefecture|Shimane]], [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]]

|-

! [[Shikoku]]

| [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]], [[Kochi Prefecture|Kōchi]], [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]]

|-

! [[Kyushu|Kyūshū]]

| [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]], [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]], [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]], [[Miyazaki Prefecture|Miyazaki]], [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]], [[Oita Prefecture|Oita]], [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]]

|-

! [[Okinawa]]

| [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]

|}

The prefectures are further subdivided into [[cities of Japan|cities]], [[towns of Japan|towns]] and [[villages of Japan|villages]]. The nomenclature is different in the [[Tokyo City|former city of Tokyo]], which is divided into 23 cities known as the [[23 special wards|special wards]] (the part of Tokyo outside the 23 special wards uses the nationwide terminology for cities, towns, and villages). Cities (including special wards of Tokyo), towns, and villages have elected officials. In addition, major cities are divided into [[wards of Japan|wards]]. These wards, however, are not corporate entities.

Japan is currently undergoing administrative [[Merger and dissolution of municipalities of Japan|reorganization]] by merging many of the cities, towns, and villages with each other. This process will reduce the number of sub-prefecture administrative regions, and is expected to cut administrative costs.<ref>http://siteresources.worldbank.org.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/WBI/Resources/wbi37175.pdf Mabuchi, Masaru, "Municipal Amalgamation in Japan," World Bank, 2001.</ref> The Japanese government is also considering a plan by which several groups of prefectures would merge, creating a sub-national administrative division system consisting of 9, 11, or 13 states, and giving the states more local autonomy than the current prefectures enjoy.<ref>http://www.nira.go.jp/publ/seiken/ev18n10/ev18n10-s.html "''Doshusei'' Regional System," National Association for Research Advancement</ref>

==Economy==

[[Image:Tokyo_sight.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Because of [[earthquake]]s buildings are built relatively low.]]

[[Image:Wfm_kansai_closeup.jpg|thumb|right||Japan's construction industry has been aided by huge civil works projects. One of the most well known is [[Kansai International Airport]], built on an [[artificial island]] at a total cost of $30 billion.]]

{{main|Economy of Japan}}

Japan is a major economic [[global power]]. Government-industry cooperation, a strong [[work ethic]], mastery of [[High tech|high technology]], and a comparatively small [[Defense budget of Japan|defense allocation]] have helped Japan advance with extraordinary speed to become one of the largest economies in the world. For three decades, overall real economic growth [[Japanese post-war economic miracle|had been spectacular]]: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s.<ref>http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7176.html</ref> Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s largely due to the after-effects of over-investment during the late 1980s and domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met with little success and were further hampered in 2000 to 2001 by the slowing of the global economy.<ref>http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html "Japan Economy", CIA World Factbook</ref>

However, the economy saw signs of strong recovery in 2005. GDP growth for the year was 2.8%, with an annualized fourth quarter expansion of 5.5%, surpassing the growth rate of the US and European Union during the same period.<ref>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/HC02Dh01.html</ref> Unlike previous recovery trends, domestic consumption has been the dominant factor in leading the growth. Hence, the Japanese government predicts that recovery will continue in 2006.

Distinguishing characteristics of the Japanese economy include the cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and banks in closely-knit groups called [[keiretsu]]; the powerful enterprise unions and ''[[shunto|shuntō]]''; cozy relations with government bureaucrats, and the guarantee of lifetime employment (''shushin koyo'') in big corporations and highly [[labour union|unionized]] [[blue-collar]] factories. Recently, Japanese companies have begun to abandon some of these norms in an attempt to increase profitability.

The current government of [[Junichiro Koizumi]] has enacted or attempted to pass (sometimes with failure) major privatization and foreign-investment laws intended to help stimulate Japan's dormant economy. Although the effectiveness of these laws is still ambiguous, the economy has begun to respond, but Japan's aging population is expected to place further strain on growth in the near future.<ref>"[http://www.btinternet.com/~pae_news/review/issue23.htm Japan, Refutation of Neoliberalism]", ''Post-Autistic Economics Network'', 5 January 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2006.</ref>

===Agricultural sector===

{{main|Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan}}

[[Image:Suburban_Rice_Fields.jpg|thumb|Suburban rice fields.]]

Japan uses a system of terrace farming to build in a small area due to lack of available land. Japanese agriculture has one of the world's highest levels of productivity per unit area. Japan's small [[agriculture|agricultural]] sector, however, is also highly subsidized and protected, with government regulations that favor small-scale cultivation instead of large-scale agriculture as practiced in North America. Imported [[rice]], the most protected crop, is subject to tariffs of 490% [http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=491] and restricted to a quota of only 3% {{citation needed}} of the total rice market. Although Japan is usually self-sufficient in rice (except for its use in making rice crackers and processed foods), the country must import about 50% [http://www.skillclear.co.uk/japan/default.asp] of its requirements of other [[Cereal|grain]] and fodder crops, and relies on imports for most of its supply of [[meat]]. Japan maintains one of the world's largest [[fishing]] fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#Econ], prompting some claims that Japan's fishing is leading to depletion in [[fish]] stocks {{citation needed}} such as [[tuna]]. Japan has also sparked controversy [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4118990.stm] by supporting quasi-commercial [[whaling in Japan|whaling]].

===Industrial sector===

Industry, one-fourth of Japan's [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]], depends heavily on imported raw materials and [[fuel]]s. Japan is home to some of the largest and most well-known multinational corporations in the [[electronics]], [[automobile|automotive]], [[optics]], [[Chemical compound|chemical]], [[entertainment]] and [[Japanese robotics|robotics]] industries. Such corporations include [[Toyota Motor Corporation]], [[Sharp Corporation]], [[Yamaha]], [[Honda]], [[Nissan]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Mazda]], [[Sony Corporation]], [[Matsushita]], [[NEC Corporation]], [[Toshiba Corporation]], [[Suzuki]], [[Nintendo]], [[Epson]], [[JVC]], [[Bridgestone]], [[Casio]], [[Citizen Watch Co., Ltd|Citizen]], [[Fujitsu]], [[Isuzu]], [[Kawasaki]], [[Komatsu]], [[Olympus Corporation]], [[Sanyo]], [[Roland Corporation]], [[Seiko]] and [[Hitachi, Ltd.|Hitachi]] among others that are all Japanese, as well as household names like [[Nikon Corporation]] and [[Canon Inc.|Canon]]. Japan also holds a large market share in [[high-technology]] industries such as [[semiconductor]]s, industrial chemicals, machine tools, [[media]] and (in recent years) [[Aerospace engineering|aerospace]]. [[Construction]] has long been one of Japan's largest industries, with the help of multi-billion-dollar government contracts in the civil sector. These industries make Japan a major economic [[global power]]. [[Robot|Robotics]] constitutes a key long-term economic strength.

===Service sector===

[[Image:Tokyo stock exchange.gif|thumb|right|[[Tokyo Stock Exchange]] is the second largest in the world by monetary volume.]]

Japan's service sector accounts for about three-fourths of its total economic output. [[Bank|Banking]], [[insurance]], [[real estate]], [[Retailer|retail]]ing, [[transportation in Japan|transportation]], and [[telecommunication]]s are all major industries such as [[Mitsubishi]], [[Toyota]] Financial Groups and [[Nomura Group]]. The [[Junichiro Koizumi|Koizumi]] government is attempting to privatize [[Japan Post and Postal Services Agency|Japan Post]], one of the country's largest providers of savings and insurance services, by 2007.

{{seealso|List of Japanese companies}}

===Infrastructure===

Japan is unique in that its [[electric power transmission]] runs at different [[frequency|frequencies]] in different parts of the country - 50 [[Hertz|Hz]] in Tokyo and elsewhere east of the [[Oi River]], 60 Hz in Osaka and other parts west.

==Society==

===Demographics===

[[Image:Shibuya tokyo.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Shibuya Crossing is one of the largest pedestrian crossings and shopping areas.]]

{{main|Demographics of Japan|Japanese people}}

Japanese society is [[Linguistics|linguistically]], though not ethnically, homogeneous with small populations of primarily [[Ryukyuans]] (1.5 million), North and South [[Koreans]] (0.6 million), [[China|Chinese]] and [[Taiwan]]ese (0.5 million), [[Philippines|Filipino]]s (0.5 million), and [[Brazil]]ians (250,000). Japan has indigenous minority groups such as the [[Ainu people|Ainu]] and [[Ryukyuans]], and social minority group like ''[[burakumin]]''. Japanese [[citizenship]] is conferred ''[[jus sanguinis]]'', and monolingual Japanese-speaking minorities often reside in Japan for generations under permanent residency status without acquiring citizenship in their country of birth. About 99% of the population speaks [[Japanese language|Japanese]] as their first language.

Japan has the highest [[life expectancy]] in the world: 85.2 years for women and 78.3 years for men in 2002. <ref>[http://unstats.un.org.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/DYB2003/Table04.pdf Vital statistics summary and expectation of life at birth: 1999-2003], United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved 14 May 2006. {{PDFlink}}</ref> However, the Japanese population is rapidly aging, the effect of [[Post-WW2 baby boom|a postwar baby boom]] followed by a decrease in births in the latter part of the 20th century. By 2007, over 20% of the population will be over the age of 65 {{citation needed}}. The changes in the demographic structure have created a number of social issues, particularly a potential decline in the workforce population and increases in the cost of social securities like the [[pension|public pension plan]].

The population started declining in 2005, as the 1.067 million births were exceeded by the 1.077 million deaths {{citation needed}}. At current birth and death rates, the 2005 population of 128 million is expected to decline to 100 million in 2050, and to 64 million in 2100. Demographers and government planners are currently in a heated debate over how to cope with this problem. <ref>"[http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/japan/socsec/ogawa.html Demographic Trends and Their Implications for Japan's Future]", The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 7 March 1997. Retrieved 14 May 2006.</ref> [[Immigration]] and birth incentives are sometimes suggested as a possible solution to provide younger workers to support the nation's aging population. Immigration, however, is not publicly popular as recent increased [[crime]] rates are often attributed to foreigners living in Japan.

{{seealso|Ethnic issues in Japan}}

===Religion===

[[Image:Toshodaiji-1.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Toshodaiji]] Buddhist temple, part of a [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in [[Nara, Nara|Nara]].]]

{{main articles|[[Religion in Japan]] and [[Japanese mythology]]}}

The Japanese people's concern towards religion is mostly related to [[mythology]], [[traditions]], and neighborhood activities rather than the source of morality or the guideline for one's life, for which sometimes [[Confucianism]], or even [[Taoism]], tends to serve as the basis for the moral code. When asked to identify their religion, most (84%) would profess to believe both [[Shintoism]] and [[Buddhism]] according to the [[CIA World Factbook]]. This is for simple reasons; like their family has belonged to some sect of Buddhism or to avoid contention with religious foreigners. Nonetheless, most of the people are not [[atheist]]s, and the tendency is often identified with [[syncretism]], [[secularism]], and even [[irreligion]]. This results in a variety of practices such as parents and children celebrating [[Shinto]] rituals, students praying before exams, couples holding a wedding at a [[Christian]] church and funerals being held at [[Buddhist]] temples. A minority profess to [[Christianity]] (0.7%) and other religions (4.7%) like [[shamanism]], [[Islam]], and [[Hinduism in Japan|Hinduism]]. Also, since the mid-19th century, many religious sects called ''shinkoshukyo'', and later ''[[shinshukyo]]'', emerged.

===Education===

[[image:Tokyo University Akamon 2004-11-16.jpg|thumb|200px|The ''Akamon'' (Red Gate) at the [[University of Tokyo]].]]

{{main|Education in Japan}}

Compulsory education was introduced into Japan in 1872 as one result of the [[Meiji Restoration]]. Since 1947, compulsory education consists of [[elementary school]] and [[middle school]], which lasts for 9 years (from age 6 to age 15). Almost all children continue their education at a three-year senior [[high school]], and 96% of high school graduates attend a [[university]], [[junior college]], trade school, or other post-secondary institution.

===Public health===

{{main article|Health care in Japan}}

In Japan, healthcare services are provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice.

===Language===

{{main|Japanese language}}

[[Image:Nihongo.png|right|80px|日本語 (Japanese language)]]

The [[Japanese language]] is an [[Agglutinative language|agglutinative]] language distinguished by a system of [[Japanese honorifics|honorifics]] reflecting the [[Hierarchy|hierarchical]] nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular vocabulary which indicate the relative status of speaker and listener. There is no consensus on what, if any, relationship Japanese has with other languages, but scholars continue to [[Japanese language classification|research]] the issue.

Japanese incorporates many foreign elements. Much as [[English language|English]] has borrowed learned vocabulary from [[Latin language|Latin]], Japanese has borrowed or derived significant amounts of vocabulary from [[Chinese language|Chinese]]. When foreign words are witten in Japanese, they are usually done so in a separate alphabet called [[katakana]]. Japanese also has extensive borrowings from [[English language|English]]. The [[Japanese writing system|writing system]] uses [[kanji]] ([[Chinese character]]s) and two sets of [[kana]] ([[syllabary|syllabaries]] based on simplified forms of Chinese characters), as well as the [[Roman alphabet]] and [[Hindu-Arabic numerals]].

Japan's official language is Japanese, and about 99% of the population speaks Japanese as their first language. The [[Ryukyuan languages]], the other member of the [[Japonic languages|Japonic language family]], are spoken in [[Okinawa]], but few children are learning these languages now. [[Ainu language|Ainu]], the language of the indigenous minority, is moribund, with only a few elderly [[First language|native speakers]] remaining in [[Hokkaido]]. Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English.

===Culture===

[[Image:Japanese traditional dancer cropped.jpg|left|thumb|A Japanese [[Tradition|traditional]] dancer]]

{{main|Culture of Japan}}

Japanese [[culture]] has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original [[Jomon]] culture to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]].

Historically, China and Korea has been the most influential starting with the development of the [[Yayoi]] culture from around 300&nbsp;BC and culminating with the introduction of rice farming, ceremonial burial, pottery, painting, writing, poetry, etiquette, the [[Chinese written language|Chinese writing system]], and [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]] by the 7th century AD. In addition, the cultural exchange between Korea and Japan has also affected the formation of Japanese culture. For example, Japan assimilated Korean pottery, and probably [[kofun]] and [[magatama]] culture as well.

[[image:Miyamoto.jpg|thumb|140px|right|Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of [[Donkey Kong]], [[Mario]], and [[Legend of Zelda]] computer games.]]

Beginning in the Heian period, Japan developed a distinct culture of its own. [[Murasaki Shikibu|Lady Murasaki]]'s ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'', written in the early 11th century, is the world's first known novel. Japanese civilization flourished during this time and a refined sensibility and interest in the arts began to set in. Traditional [[Japanese Art|Japanese arts]] include:([[ikebana]], [[origami]], [[ukiyo-e]]), [[Japanese crafts|crafts]] ([[Japanese traditional dolls|dolls]], [[Lacquer|lacquerware]], [[Japanese pottery|pottery]]), performances ([[bunraku]], [[Japanese traditional dance|dance]], [[kabuki]], [[noh]], [[rakugo]]), traditions ([[List of Japanese games|games]], [[onsen]], [[sento]], [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]], [[budo]], [[Japanese architecture|architecture]], [[Japanese garden|gardens]], [[Katana|swords]]), and [[Cuisine of Japan|cuisine]].

From the mid-19th [[century]] onward, Western influence prevailed, with American influence becoming especially predominant following the end of [[World War II]]. This influence is apparent in Japan's contemporary popular culture, which combines Asian, European, and, 1950-onward, American influences.

Today, Japan is a major [[exporter]] of its own [[popular culture]], which has gained popularity around the world, particularly in other East Asian countries and some areas of the [[United States]]. Many Japanese have also achieved international acclaim in [[fashion]], [[Cinema of Japan|film]], [[Japanese literature|literature]], [[Japanese television programs|television]], and [[Music of Japan|music]]. Two Japanese writers have won the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]. Emerging and growing trends in Japanese culture include some of the highest-quality [[video game]]s and [[game console]]s, as well as a wide variety of [[graphic novels]] ([[manga]]) and [[animated films]] ([[anime]]) with distinctive artistic styles imitated the world over. As a result, many aspects of Japanese popular culture have attracted many devotees in Europe and North America.

{{seealso|Japanese clothing|Etiquette of Japan|Japanese festivals|Japanese New Year|Japanese sports|Tourism in Japan|Japanese media|Cinema of Japan|Japanese traditional dance}}

===Sports and recreation===

[[Image:JapanSumoMatch.jpg|thumb|[[Sumo]] is a traditional Japanese sport]]

{{main|Japanese sports}}

[[Sumo]] is considered Japan's [[national sport]] and is one of its most popular. In the 8th century AD, [[Emperor Shomu]] (724-749) held lavish tournaments where the best wrestlers in the country competed before hundreds. Professional sumo can trace its roots back to the Edo period as a form of sporting entertainment. Today, six major tournaments are held every year in Japan, each one lasting 15 days. Three are held in Tokyo (January, May, and September) and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka (November). The highest rank for a wrestler in sumo is ''[[yokozuna]].''

Beginning in the 12th century, Japan developed traditional [[martial arts]] known as [[budo]], which were popular among the warrior class. These include [[judo]], [[karate]], [[kendo]], and others. Judo has been recognized as an official event in the [[Olympic Games]] since the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo. It is also one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally today.

After the Meiji Restoration, various kinds of Western sports were introduced into Japan. [[Baseball]] arrived in 1872 and during the 1870s, [[Athletics|track and field]] events, [[football]], [[rugby]], and [[ice skating]] were introduced. In 1911, an [[Austria]]n gave [[skiing]] instruction to the Japanese army. In those days, Western sports were played by few people, but through the educational system they spread throughout the country. Western sports were initially stressed as a form of mental discipline, but Japanese have now come to enjoy them as recreational activities.<ref>http://web-japan.org/factsheet/sports/index.html</ref>

Today, baseball is the most popular spectator sport in Japan, followed by (in no particular order) football, rugby, [[golf]], [[badminton]], [[table tennis]], [[car racing]], and [[fishing]].

Japanese board games include a form of chess, known as [[shogi]]. [[Go]] is also widely popular in the country.

Each year, Japan observes the second Monday in October as a national holiday called [[Health and Sports Day]]. The date, originally October 10, commemorates the opening day of the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo. Other major sporting events that Japan has hosted include the [[1972 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sapporo, Hokkaido|Sapporo]], and the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] in [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]]. It also co-hosted the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] with [[South Korea]].

==Notes==

<div class="references-small">

<references />

</div>

==References==

{{Portal}}

* S. N. Eisenstadt, ''Japanese Civilization: A Comparative View'', [[University of Chicago]] 1995. (ISBN 0226195589)

* ''Japan a Profile of Nation'', [[Kodansha]] International, 1999. (ISBN 4770023847)

* ''The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Japan'', [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge Univ]]. Press, 1993 (ISBN 0521403529)

* De Mente, ''The Japanese Have a Word For It'', [[McGraw-Hill]], 1997 (ISBN 0844283169)

* Henshall, ''A History of Japan'', Palgrave Macmillan, 2001 (ISBN 0312233701)

* Jansen, ''The Making of Modern Japan'', Belknap, 2000 (ISBN 0674003349)

* ''Japan At A Glance'', Kodansha, 1998 (ISBN 4770020805)

* Johnson, ''Japan: Who Governs?'', W.W. Norton, 1996 (ISBN 0393314502)

* ''Lonely Planet Japan'', Lonely Planet Publications, 2003 (ISBN 1740591623)

* Reischauer, ''Japan: The Story of a Nation'', McGraw-Hill, 1989 (ISBN 0075570742)

* Sugimoto et al., ''An Introduction to Japanese Society'', Cambridge Univ. Press, 2003 (ISBN 0521529255)

* Totman, ''A History of Modern Japan'', 2d ed., Blackwell, 2005 (ISBN 1405123591)

* Van Wolferen, ''The Enigma of Japanese Power'', Vintage, 1990 (ISBN 0679728023)

==Miscellaneous topics==

{{sisterlinks|Japan}}

{| class=wikitable

! Topic

! Article

|-

! [[History of Japan|History]]

| [[Japanese Paleolithic|Paleolithic]], [[Jomon]], [[Yayoi]], [[Yamato period|Yamato]], [[Nara period|Nara]], [[Heian Period|Heian]], [[Kamakura period|Kamakura]], [[Muromachi period|Muromachi]], [[Azuchi-Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama]], [[Edo period|Edo]], [[Meiji period|Meiji]], [[Taisho Period|Taishō]], [[Shōwa Period|Shōwa]], [[Heisei]]

|-

! [[Government of Japan|Government]] & [[Politics of Japan|Politics]]

|

[[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] ([[List of Emperors of Japan|list]]), [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] ([[List of Prime Ministers of Japan|list]]), [[Cabinet of Japan|Cabinet]], [[Ministries of Japan|Ministries]], [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]], [[House of Councillors]], [[House of Representatives of Japan|House of Representatives]], [[Judicial system of Japan|Judicial system]], [[Elections in Japan|Elections]], [[List of political parties in Japan|Political parties]], [[Monetary and fiscal policy of Japan|Fiscal policy]], [[Foreign policy of Japan|Foreign policy]], [[Foreign relations of Japan|Foreign relations]], [[Human rights in Japan|Human rights]], [[Military of Japan]]

|-

! [[Geography of Japan|Geography]]

|

[[Environmental protection in Japan|Environment]], [[Regions of Japan|Regions]], [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefectures]], [[Cities of Japan|Cities]], [[Districts of Japan|Districts]], [[Towns of Japan|Towns]], [[Villages of Japan|Villages]], [[Japanese addressing system|Addresses]], [[List of islands of Japan|Islands]], [[List of lakes in Japan|Lakes]], [[Rivers of Japan|Rivers]]

|-

! [[Economy of Japan|Economy]]

|

[[Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan|Agriculture, forestry, and fishing]], [[Manufacturing industries of Japan|Manufacturing]], [[Labor market of Japan|Labor]], [[Communications in Japan|Communications]], [[Transport in Japan|Transportation]], [[Japanese yen|Currency]], [[Bank of Japan]]

|-

! Society

|

[[Demographics of Japan|Demographics]], [[Religion in Japan|Religion]], [[Japanese mythology|Mythology]], [[Education in Japan|Education]], [[Japanese language|Language]], [[Culture of Japan|Culture]]

|}

==External links==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

===Official===

*[http://courtdomino2.courts.go.jp/home.nsf/ehome?OpenPage Courts.go.jp] - Official site of the Japanese Supreme Court

*[http://www.britannica.com/nations/Japan Encyclopaedia Britannica's Japan portal site]

*[http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html Kantei.go.jp] - Official prime ministerial and cabinet site

*[http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html Kunaicho.go.jp] - Official site of the Imperial family.

*[http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/link/links_e.html Links to Ministries and other Organizations]

*[http://www.mofa.go.jp/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs] - Detailed papers on Japan's foreign policy, education programs, culture and life.

*[http://www.sangiin.go.jp/eng/index.htm Sangi-in.go.jp] - Official site of the House of Councillors

*[http://www.shugiin.go.jp/index.nsf/html/index_e.htm Shugi-in.go.jp] - Official site of the House of Representatives

*[http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm Stat.go.jp] - Statistics Bureau Home Page (English)

* [http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ jnto.go.jp] - Japan National Tourist Organization (English)

{{col-2}}

===Media===

*[http://www.nhk.or.jp/english/ NHK Online]

*[http://www.crisscross.com/jp/ Crisscross News Japan]

*[http://home.kyodo.co.jp/ Kyodo News]

*[http://www.3yen.com/ 3Yen (News blog)]

===Other===

*[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html CIA World Factbook - ''Japan'']

*[http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/search.tkl?q=japan&search_crit=subject&search=Search&date1=Anytime&date2=Anytime&type=form Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Japan]

*[http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk ''electronic journal of contemporary japanese studies'']

*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/0,7368,450622,00.html Guardian Unlimited - ''Special Report: Japan'']

*[http://lcweb2.loc.gov.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/frd/cs/jptoc.html Library of Congress - ''Country Study: Japan ''] data as of January 1994

*[http://www.urban.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/index_e.htm Urban Employment Areas in Japan] (Metropolitan Areas in Japan)

*[http://www.turbomaps.com.ar/english/japan.php Japan main cities satellite views]

*{{wikitravel}}

{{col-end}}

{{UN Security Council}}

{{APEC}}

{{G8}}

{{East Asia}}

{{Asia}}

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[[pt:Japão]]

[[ro:Japonia]]

[[ru:Япония]]

[[se:Japána]]

[[sco:Japan]]

[[sq:Japonia]]

[[scn:Giappuni]]

[[simple:Japan]]

[[sk:Japonsko]]

[[sl:Japonska]]

[[sr:Јапан]]

[[su:Jepang]]

[[fi:Japani]]

[[sv:Japan]]

[[tl:Hapon (bansa)]]

[[ta:ஜப்பான்]]

[[th:ประเทศญี่ปุ่น]]

[[vi:Nhật Bản]]

[[tr:Japonya]]

[[ug:ياپونىيە]]

[[uk:Японія]]

[[uz:Yaponiya]]

[[yi:יאפאן]]

[[zh:日本]]