Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean near the northeast coast of the Asian mainland. It consists of four large islands and many smaller ones, covering a total area that makes it the world's 11th most populous country with almost 123 million people. The land is mostly mountainous and forested, with most people living in busy cities along the coasts. Tokyo, the capital, is the largest city.

Japan has a very long history, with people living there as far back as 36,000 BC. Over time, it developed a rich culture and a form of government led by an emperor. In the 19th century, Japan opened up to the world and began to grow quickly in industry and technology. During the 20th century, Japan was involved in World War II but later became a strong and peaceful nation again.

Today, Japan is known for its advanced technology, beautiful traditions, and popular culture. It leads the world in making cars, electronics, and robots. Japanese movies, animation, music, and video games are enjoyed by people all over the globe. Despite facing challenges like a shrinking population, Japan remains one of the world's most developed and respected countries.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Japan

The name for Japan in Japanese is written with the characters 日本 and is said as Nihon or Nippon. The word Nippon is often used in formal settings, like on money and stamps, while Nihon is used in everyday talk. These characters mean "sun origin," which is why Japan is sometimes called the "Land of the Rising Sun."

The name "Japan" comes from Chinese words for 日本. It was brought to Europe by traders from Southeast Asia in the 1500s. The first time it appeared in English was in 1577, spelled as Giapan.

History

Main article: History of Japan

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Japanese history.

Prehistoric to classical history

Modern humans arrived in Japan around 38,000 years ago, marking the beginning of the Japanese Paleolithic. Around 14,500 BC, a semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer culture appeared, characterized by pit dwelling and early agriculture. Clay vessels from this time are some of the oldest surviving examples of pottery. Later, the Yayoi people entered Japan from the Korean Peninsula, bringing new farming methods, pottery styles, and metallurgy.

Japan first appears in written history in Chinese records from 111 AD. By the year 552, Buddhism was introduced from Korea. In 645, major reforms were made to centralize power, influenced by Chinese systems. The Nara period (710–784) saw the growth of literature and Buddhist art. In 794, the capital moved to Kyoto, beginning the Heian period, a time when Japanese culture began to take its own distinct shape.

Feudal era

Japan's feudal era began with the rise of warrior classes, the samurai. In 1185, after defeating their rivals, the samurai established a military government. Zen Buddhism became popular among the samurai during this time.

In the 16th century, traders and missionaries from Europe arrived in Japan, bringing new ideas and goods. This period saw internal conflicts among local rulers. By the early 1600s, one leader unified Japan and began a long period of peace and stability.

Modern era

In the mid-1800s, Japan was forced to open its borders to the world. This led to rapid changes and the adoption of many Western ideas and systems. Japan became a major world power, expanding its influence through military actions.

After World War II, Japan adopted a new constitution and began a period of strong economic growth. Despite facing challenges like natural disasters, Japan remains a leading nation in technology and industry.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Japan and Geology of Japan

Japan is made up of 14,125 islands along the Pacific coast of Asia. It stretches over 3,000 kilometers from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The five main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Together, these islands are known as the Japanese archipelago. Japan has a very long coastline and many smaller islands far from the main land.

Japan’s land is mostly forests and mountains, making space for people scarce. Most people live close to the coast, where it is easier to build homes. The country has many active volcanoes and experiences earthquakes and tsunamis because it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Japan

Japan’s climate changes from north to south. The northern part, Hokkaido, has cold winters and warm summers with not too much rain. The west coast of Honshu gets a lot of snow in winter. The central part has big temperature changes between summer and winter. The Pacific coast has milder winters and hot, humid summers. The southern islands have warm winters and hot summers with lots of rain, especially during the rainy season and when typhoons visit.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Japan

Japan has many different kinds of plants and animals. It has forests with many trees and animals like brown bears, Japanese macaques, and Japanese raccoon dogs. The country also has special wetlands that are important for birds and other wildlife.

Environment

Main articles: Environmental issues in Japan and Climate change in Japan

After World War II, Japan grew very fast, and taking care of the environment was not a big priority. This caused pollution in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, Japan made laws to protect the environment. Today, Japan works to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and plans to be carbon-neutral by 2050. The country faces challenges like air pollution, managing waste, and protecting nature while also dealing with climate change.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Japan and Politics of Japan

Japan is a country where the emperor has a mainly ceremonial role, while real power lies with the prime minister and the Cabinet. The current emperor is Naruhito. The prime minister is Sanae Takaichi, who leads the government.

Japan has a parliament called the National Diet, which has two houses. Laws are made by the people who are elected to these houses. Adults over 18 can vote in elections. The courts help make sure laws are followed fairly.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Administrative divisions of Japan and Prefectures of Japan

Japan is divided into 47 areas called prefectures, each with its own leader and local government.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Japan

Japan is a member of many international groups and works closely with countries like the United States on trade and security matters. It also has relationships with its neighbors, though there are some disagreements over territory.

Military

Japan has a military called the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Its role is mainly for defense, and it is guided by Japan's constitution. The military includes ground, sea, and air forces.

Law enforcement

Main articles: Law enforcement in Japan and Law of Japan

Japan's police keep safety and order. There are special teams to handle serious situations. The country has strict laws about owning weapons, which helps keep violent crime rates low.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Japan

Japan values harmony and following rules, which sometimes means less focus on individual rights. The country has laws against some types of discrimination but not all. There are ongoing discussions about improving equality and treatment for all people.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Japan

Japan has a very big economy. It is the world's fourth-largest by money value, after the United States, China and Germany. Japan has many workers, with over 69 million people employed. The country has a low number of people without jobs, around 2.6% of the workforce. However, many people in Japan live with less money than needed, and about 15.7% of the population faces this challenge. Japan also has a lot of money owed, with national debt at 237% of its economy's total value. The Japanese yen is an important money type used around the world, being the third most held after the US dollar and the euro.

Japan sells a lot of things to other countries and buys many things too. In 2024, it was the world's eighth-largest seller of goods and sixth-largest buyer. Japan sells motor vehicles, steel, computer chips, and car parts to places like China and the United States. It buys machinery, fuels, food, chemicals, and raw materials from these countries as well.

Agriculture and fishery

Main article: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan

Farming in Japan is a small part of the economy, making up about 1.2% of the total. Only 11.2% of the land can be used for growing crops, so farmers use special steps on hillsides to grow food in small spaces. This helps Japan produce a lot of food from a little land. Japan catches a lot of fish, ranking seventh in the world for the amount of fish caught. The country has a big fishing fleet and catches nearly 15% of all fish caught globally.

Industry and services

Main articles: Manufacturing in Japan, Trade and services in Japan, Electronics industry in Japan, and Automotive industry in Japan

Japan makes many things, including cars, machines, steel, ships, chemicals, and food products. The making of things is a big part of Japan's economy, about 27.5%. Japan is one of the top places for making and selling cars, with Toyota being the biggest car maker in the world by how many cars it produces. Japan also makes videos games, which is a big business there.

Services are the biggest part of Japan's economy, making up about 69.8%. This includes banking, selling things in stores, moving people and goods, and talking and sending information.

Science and technology

Main article: Science and technology in Japan

Japan spends a lot of money on learning new things and discovering, being sixth or seventh highest in the world. The country has many people working in science and technology. Japan makes many robots, providing 38% of all robots used worldwide. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency works on space projects. It has sent machines to orbit Venus and plans to send people to the Moon by 2030. Japan launched a big moon explorer in 2007 to learn about the Moon's beginning and changes over time.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Japan

Japan has built many roads and trains to help people travel. As of 2017, there are about 1,200,000 kilometers (750,000 miles) of roads for cars and buses. Japan also has many train companies, including the fast Shinkansen (bullet trains) that connect big cities quickly and safely.

There are 280 airports in Japan as of 2025. Haneda Airport in Tokyo is one of the busiest airports in Asia.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Japan

In Japan, energy comes from different sources. As of 2019, about 37.1% comes from oil, 25.1% from coal, and 22.4% from natural gas. Smaller amounts come from hydropower and nuclear power. After a big event in 2011, many nuclear power plants were turned off, but some have started working again. Japan needs to import much of its energy and works to use energy wisely.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Japan

See also: Japanese people and Ethnic groups of Japan

Japan has a population of nearly 123 million people, with almost 119 million being Japanese nationals. The remaining people are foreign residents, estimated at about 3.7 million as of September 2025. Japan is one of the world's fastest aging countries, with a large portion of its population being elderly. This is due to a baby boom after World War II, followed by longer life expectancies and fewer births.

Japan has a low birth rate, with families having fewer children than needed to keep the population stable. The country's median age is 48.4 years, the highest in the world. Over 29% of Japan's population is aged 65 or older. As fewer young people are having children, Japan's population is expected to shrink to around 88 million by 2065. This change creates challenges, such as a smaller workforce and higher costs for supporting elderly people. The government suggests ideas like allowing more foreign workers and encouraging families to have more children.

In 2023, about 92% of people in Japan lived in cities. The capital, Tokyo, has a population of 13.9 million and is part of the world's largest metropolitan area, with over 37 million people. Japan is a homogeneous society, with most people being Japanese. Smaller groups include the indigenous Ainu and Ryukyuan people, as well as minorities such as Zainichi Koreans, Chinese, Filipinos, Brazilians, and Peruvians, many of whom have Japanese ancestry. There is also a social minority group known as Burakumin.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Japan

The Japanese language is the main language spoken and written in Japan. It uses kanji (Chinese characters) and two sets of kana (syllabaries), along with the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals. English is taught in schools and is used in business and international communication. Japanese Sign Language is used by people who are deaf, though it has faced challenges in gaining full recognition and support.

Besides Japanese, several other languages are spoken in Japan, especially in the Ryukyu Islands. These include Amami, Kunigami, Okinawan, Miyako, Yaeyama, and Yonaguni. The Ainu language, which is unique and not related to Japanese, has very few speakers left. Many ethnic minorities, immigrants, and foreign students also speak languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Portuguese.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Japan

The torii of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine near Hiroshima

The Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in in Kamakura

Japan's constitution allows people to practice any religion freely. Many Japanese people are connected to Shinto, the country's indigenous religion, either through family traditions or temple affiliations. Buddhism is also widely practiced, and it is common for people to follow both Shinto and Buddhist traditions, especially during festivals and important life events like the New Year. Ideas from Taoism and Confucianism from China have also shaped Japanese customs.

In recent years, around 1% to 1.5% of the population identifies as Christian. Western customs such as Valentine's Day and Christmas have become popular in Japan, even among people who are not Christian. Most people who practice Islam in Japan are foreign-born migrants. Other religions present in Japan include Hinduism, Judaism, and the Baháʼí Faith, as well as the traditional beliefs of the Ainu people.

Education

Main article: Education in Japan

Education in Japan is compulsory for nine years, covering elementary and junior high school. Nearly all children continue to senior high school. The University of Tokyo is the top-ranking university in the country. Since April 2016, schools have been integrating elementary and junior high education into a single nine-year program, with plans to expand this nationwide.

Japanese students perform very well in international assessments, ranking highly in reading, math, and science. Japan spends a significant portion of its economy on education and has a highly educated workforce. About 56% of people aged 25 to 64 have some form of higher education, with many holding bachelor's degrees. Women in Japan are more likely than men to have a university education.

Health

Main articles: Health in Japan and Health care system in Japan

Japan's healthcare system is managed by national and local governments, ensuring that most people can access medical care. Since 1973, all elderly people have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Japan spends a large part of its economy on healthcare. The country has a high life expectancy and a low infant mortality rate. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death. Japan has one of the lowest rates of heart disease and dementia among developed countries. Smoking remains a significant health issue, particularly among men.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Japan

See also: Japanese popular culture

Japanese culture is a mix of ideas from Asia, Europe, and North America. Traditional Japanese arts include crafts like ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, swords, and dolls. There are also performances such as bunraku, kabuki, noh, dance, and rakugo. Other practices include the tea ceremony, ikebana, martial arts, calligraphy, origami, onsen, Geisha, and games. Japan protects important cultural items and has many sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Japan is seen as a leader in culture.

Art and architecture

’s famous 19th-century woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, shows Japan’s artistic style. Japanese architecture often uses wood or mud plaster with tiled roofs. Traditional homes and temples use tatami mats and sliding doors. Since the 19th century, Japan has also adopted Western modern architecture. After World War II, Japanese architects began to gain international fame.

Literature and philosophy

Early Japanese literature includes the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles and the Man’yōshū poetry anthology, all from the 8th century. The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is one of the oldest Japanese stories. The Pillow Book describes court life, and The Tale of Genji is often called the world’s first novel. Famous writers like Natsume Sōseki, Mori Ōgai, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Kafū Nagai, Haruki Murakami, and Kenji Nakagami have shaped Japanese literature. Japan has won Nobel Prizes in literature with Yasunari Kawabata and Kenzaburō Ōe. Japanese philosophy mixes Chinese, Western, and unique Japanese ideas, with Confucianism and Buddhism having big influences.

Performing arts

Main articles: Music of Japan and Theatre of Japan

Japanese music is rich and varied. Instruments like the koto have been around since the 9th and 10th centuries. Folk music with the shamisen dates from the 16th century. Western classical music became part of Japanese culture in the late 19th century. Kumi-daiko, ensemble drumming, became popular after World War II. J-pop and karaoke are also important parts of Japanese culture. Traditional theater includes noh, kyōgen, kabuki, and bunraku, with noh being one of the oldest continuous theater traditions in the world.

Media

Main articles: Mass media in Japan and Censorship in Japan

About 79% of Japanese people watch television every day. Japanese television dramas are popular both in Japan and around the world. Japanese media franchises, like anime and manga, are very successful globally. Japan has a long history of film, with Godzilla becoming an international icon. Manga and anime are enjoyed worldwide, with many series becoming best-sellers.

Holidays

Main article: Public holidays in Japan

See also: Japanese festivals

Japan has 16 national holidays. These include New Year’s Day, Coming of Age Day, National Foundation Day, The Emperor’s Birthday, Vernal Equinox Day, Shōwa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day, Marine Day, Mountain Day, Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox, Health and Sports Day, Culture Day, and Labor Thanksgiving Day.

Cuisine

Japanese food varies by region but often includes seafood, rice, and noodles. Popular dishes are Japanese curry, ramen, and sushi. Traditional sweets are called wagashi and use ingredients like red bean paste and mochi. Modern treats include green tea ice cream. Common drinks are sake, beer, and green tea, with matcha used in tea ceremonies.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Japan

Sumo is Japan’s traditional national sport. Martial arts like judo and kendo are taught in schools. Karate is popular worldwide and part of the Olympics. Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan. Football has grown since the J.League began in 1992, and Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Japan has hosted many international sports events, including the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964 and 2021, the Winter Olympics in Sapporo and Nagano, and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.