Traveling Tales  Monkeys by Christina Whitt  Otorri Gate by Christina Whitt |
Fall seven times, stand up eight.
- Japanese Proverb |
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Country Overview | |
Japan is an island chain located in Eastern Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, East of the Korean Peninsula. Total land area is 374,744 sq km, with 29,751 km of coastline. Climate ranges from tropical in the south to cool temperate in the north, while terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous. Government type is constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government with a capital of Tokyo. Chief of state is Emperor Akihito and head of government is Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Population is 127.4 million with a 0.2% rate of natural increase. Language is predominantly and officially Japanese, with over 99 percent of the population fluent. An additional 14 minor dialects are spoken, including the nearly extince Ainu with 15 remaining native speakers in the Kuril Islands. Economy is the second most technologically powerful after the US, and is the third largest in the world after the US and China. Per capita income is US$24,900 with a quite equitable distribution of wealth. Main exports are motor vehicles, semiconductors and office machinery, while imports include fuels, food and textiles. Maps: Political Map - Physical Map |
