Japan |
|
| OVERVIEW |
| Background |
While retaining
its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology
during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its defeat
in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power
and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his
throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in
networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business
executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting
in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth.
|
| Natural
resources |
negligible mineral resources,
fish |
| Land
use |
arable land: 12.13%
permanent crops: 1.01%
other: 86.86% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
127,214,499 (July 2003
est.) |
| Ethnic
groups |
Japanese 99%, others 1%
(Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino
89,851, other 237,914) (2000) |
| Religions |
observe both Shinto and
Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) |
| Languages |
Japanese |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write
total population: 99% (1995 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA% |
| Capital |
Tokyo |
| Government
type |
constitutional monarchy
with a parliamentary government |
| Independence |
660 BC (traditional founding
by Emperor Jimmu) |
| National
holiday |
Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO,
23 December (1933) |
|
|
