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Pictures of Japan

2002 03 25 Todaiji.jpg	2002 03 26 Cherry trees at river side in Sakuranomiya.jpg	2002 03 26 Cherry trees at Sakuranomiya.jpg	2002 03 28 Kinkakuji.jpg
2002 03 30 Close up of Cherry Blossoms.jpg	2002 03 30 Fortunes and Cherry Blossoms at Kiyomizudera.jpg	2002 03 30 Kiyomizudera with Cherry Blossoms.jpg	2002 03 30 Kyoto and Kiyomizudera with Cherry Blowwoms.jpg
2002 03 30 Kyoto JR station interior.jpg	2002 03 31 Himeji Castle and sky.jpg	2002 03 31 Himeji Skyline.jpg	2002 03 31 Japanese Garden at Himeji Castle.jpg
2002 04 01 Downtown Umeda.jpg	2002 04 01 Downtown Umeda.jpg.jpg	2002 04 01 Yodobashi Camera Building.jpg	2002 04 01 Yodobashi Camera Building.jpg.jpg
2002 04 02 Cherry Blossoms in Balls at Nijo Castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Cherry Blossoms with dirt pile at Nijo Castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Nijo Castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Pond at Heian Shrine.jpg
2002 04 02 Red flower at Nijo castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Stick and Ball Trees at Nijo Castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Stone Lantern at Nijo Castle.jpg	2002 04 02 Tripod ladders at Nijo Castle.jpg
2002 04 02 Weeping Cherry Tree at Heian Shrine.jpg	2002 04 02 White cherry tree and pond at Heian Shrine.jpg	2002 04 02 Wide Weeping Cherry Tree at Heian Shrine.jpg	2003 07 27 Sky tower building and JR Train area.jpg
2004 05 11 Golden Tower and Japan Inland Sea in Utazu Japan.jpg	2005 06 16 682 yen display.JPG	2005 06 16 714 yen display.JPG	2005 06 16 advertisement for photo service.JPG
2005 06 16 along the river in Sakuranomiya.JPG	2005 06 16 Aoyamon gate.JPG	2005 06 16 Aoyamon sign in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 Aoyamon sign.JPG
2005 06 16 Aoyamon.JPG	2005 06 16 Asahi super dry advertisement.JPG	2005 06 16 bar pronto sign.JPG	2005 06 16 baseball field near Osaka Jo hall.JPG
2005 06 16 basil sauce pasta display.JPG	2005 06 16 Brava theater.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge and grey mote.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge and Kyobashi buildings.JPG
2005 06 16 bridge and mote.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge and tour bus.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge mote and wall.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge towards Kyobashi.JPG
2005 06 16 bridge under construction in Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 bridge.JPG	2005 06 16 building in Kyobashi.JPG	2005 06 16 buildings along river.JPG
2005 06 16 buildings in Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 buildings.JPG	2005 06 16 bukake display.JPG	2005 06 16 cat near jinja.JPG
2005 06 16 cat on a rock.JPG	2005 06 16 cats at Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 clouds and Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 coin vending machines.JPG
2005 06 16 Coke machine in Japan.JPG	2005 06 16 construction signs.JPG	2005 06 16 cookingwares store.JPG	2005 06 16 cube kid thing near Kansai TV building.JPG
2005 06 16 dinner course sign.JPG	2005 06 16 dirty sign in Kyobashi.JPG	2005 06 16 display.JPG	2005 06 16 dog mind advertisement.JPG
2005 06 16 donjon sign in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 donjon sign.JPG	2005 06 16 dont put your garbage here.JPG	2005 06 16 drink menu and prices.JPG
2005 06 16 Expo 70 sign.JPG	2005 06 16 flowers at Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 former Osaka city museum sign.JPG	2005 06 16 fortunes at jinja.JPG
2005 06 16 fountains near New Otani Hotel Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 fountains near New Otani Hotel.JPG	2005 06 16 Gold fish at Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 grass in front of Imperial Hotel Osaka.JPG
2005 06 16 Homeless persons dogs.JPG	2005 06 16 homeless shelter near Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 homeless shelter.JPG	2005 06 16 homeless tent and doghouse.JPG
2005 06 16 Homeless tent in Osaka Japan.JPG	2005 06 16 homeless tents in Sakuranomiya.JPG	2005 06 16 IMP building in Kyobashi.JPG	2005 06 16 IMP Building.JPG
2005 06 16 Imperial Hotel Osaka area garden.JPG	2005 06 16 Imperial Hotel Osaka Building.JPG	2005 06 16 Imperial Hotel Osaka garden statue.JPG	2005 06 16 Imperial Plaza in Osaka.JPG
2005 06 16 Imperial Plaza steps.JPG	2005 06 16 Imperial Plaza.JPG	2005 06 16 inside IMP.JPG	2005 06 16 inside jinja.JPG
2005 06 16 inside twin 21 building.JPG	2005 06 16 Italian hanbaga display.JPG	2005 06 16 ivy on stone wall.JPG	2005 06 16 Japanes news stand.JPG
2005 06 16 Japanese car dealership.JPG	2005 06 16 Japanese sign.JPG	2005 06 16 jinja at dusk.JPG	2005 06 16 jinja near Osaka Castle.JPG
2005 06 16 jinja sign.JPG	2005 06 16 jinna rope.JPG	2005 06 16 Kansai TV building.JPG	2005 06 16 katsutoji display.JPG
2005 06 16 Kawasaki.JPG	2005 06 16 kyobashi area map.JPG	2005 06 16 kyobashi buildings.JPG	2005 06 16 large rocks.JPG
2005 06 16 McDonald sign.JPG	2005 06 16 McDonalds.JPG	2005 06 16 mini katsu display.JPG	2005 06 16 moon tree and Osaka Jo.JPG
2005 06 16 mote and bridge.JPG	2005 06 16 mote and trees.JPG	2005 06 16 Mr Donuts.JPG	2005 06 16 National and IMP buildings.JPG
2005 06 16 New Otani Hotel Kyobashi.JPG	2005 06 16 New Otani Hotel.JPG	2005 06 16 NHK building.JPG	2005 06 16 no tents.JPG
2005 06 16 noodle display.JPG	2005 06 16 OAP sign in Osaka Japan.JPG	2005 06 16 OAP sign.JPG	2005 06 16 old izakaya diarama.JPG
2005 06 16 old izakaya display.JPG	2005 06 16 old izakaya dolls.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Business Park area map.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and airplane.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and blue sky.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and bridge.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and flowers.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and sky.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and traffic blocking devices.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle and wall.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area and tree.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area benches.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area garden path.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area garden pond.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area garden space.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area Japanese garden.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area map.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle area.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle at dusk.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle direction sign.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle dried up mote.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle east mote.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle ivy on mote walls.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle mote and Kyobashi.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle mote and southern area.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle Museum admission prices.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle Museum elevator sign in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle Museum elevator sign.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle Museum information.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka castle sign.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle tourist area.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Castle vendors.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Castle wall.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka City Museum building.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka City Museum sign.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka City Museum.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka from Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Jo area map.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Jo area.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Jo hall.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka Jo Koen map.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Jo mote.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Jo sign.JPG	2005 06 16 Osaka Museum of History sign.JPG
2005 06 16 Osaka streets.JPG	2005 06 16 outside jinja.JPG	2005 06 16 Paddington love hotel sign.JPG	2005 06 16 Paddington love hotel.JPG
2005 06 16 paper fortunes at jinja.JPG	2005 06 16 pez vending machines.JPG	2005 06 16 public restrooms.JPG	2005 06 16 restaurant display.JPG
2005 06 16 river and building in Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 river and buildings.JPG	2005 06 16 river and Kyobashi in Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 river in front of Imperial Hotel Osaka.JPG
2005 06 16 river near Sakuranomiya.JPG	2005 06 16 riyon display.JPG	2005 06 16 rock in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 rocks near Osaka Castle.JPG
2005 06 16 Ronald Mcdonald sign.JPG	2005 06 16 rowing near Kyobashi.JPG	2005 06 16 Sake barrel.JPG	2005 06 16 Sake barrels.JPG
2005 06 16 Sakuramon sign in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 Sakuramon sign.JPG	2005 06 16 salad display.JPG	2005 06 16 Sgokurakubashi sign in Japanese.JPG
2005 06 16 Sgokurakubashi sign.JPG	2005 06 16 shrimp pasta display.JPG	2005 06 16 sign for aqua bus.JPG	2005 06 16 sign with graffiti at Osaka Castle.JPG
2005 06 16 signs in Japanese.JPG	2005 06 16 steps to Osaka Jo Hall.JPG	2005 06 16 stone figure.JPG	2005 06 16 stone garden.JPG
2005 06 16 stone lantern.JPG	2005 06 16 stone statue.JPG	2005 06 16 stone wall and trees.JPG	2005 06 16 stone wall.JPG
2005 06 16 Street corner and Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 street near Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 street near Osaka Jo.JPG	2005 06 16 street performers.JPG
2005 06 16 street.JPG	2005 06 16 Subway menu.JPG	2005 06 16 subway shop.JPG	2005 06 16 sun reflects off building.JPG
2005 06 16 sunlight through trees.JPG	2005 06 16 sunshine on Aoyamon.JPG	2005 06 16 takoyaki.JPG	2005 06 16 teparasoba display.JPG
2005 06 16 toilet sign.JPG	2005 06 16 toilets of the world sign.JPG	2005 06 16 tonkatsu.JPG	2005 06 16 top of bridge.JPG
2005 06 16 tour bus.JPG	2005 06 16 tree and mote at Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 tree moon and Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 trees and IMP.JPG
2005 06 16 trees and light.JPG	2005 06 16 twin 21 guide.JPG	2005 06 16 vegitable seller.JPG	2005 06 16 vegitables for sale.JPG
2005 06 16 view from near Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 walking path.JPG	2005 06 16 walking paths near Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 Walkway in front of Imperial Hotel Osaka.JPG
2005 06 16 Waterfalls in front of Imperial Hotel Osaka.JPG	2005 06 16 well at Osaka Castle.JPG	2005 06 16 well curbing sign.JPG	2005 06 16 white flowers.JPG
2005 06 16 yakisoba.JPG	2005 06 16 year of the cock sign.JPG	2005 06 17 airport bus.JPG	2005 06 17 Aloha gift shop at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 American Hero Museum at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 artists corner at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 baby back rib display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 baby back rib lunch display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 ban dai capsule station at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 beer display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 billiken at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 billikin story at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Bubba Gump merchandise at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Bucket of Boat Trash display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Charlie Brown at Universal Studios Japan entrance.JPG
2005 06 17 Chicago Rib lunch menu at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Chicago Ribs restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 climbing cube at Ogimachi Koen.JPG	2005 06 17 clothing store display at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Collective USA at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 curry doll display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 cute Japanese girl purikura at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 daisuki sushi at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 don displays at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 dons at Universal citywalk.JPG	2005 06 17 fish and chips display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 fortune teller at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Fried Shrimp Lunch display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Glamorous Japanese girl purikura at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Global traders food store at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hamburger display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Hard Rock Cafe entrance at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hard Rock Cafe guitar at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hard Rock Cafe Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 hokke display at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Hotel Keihan and Hotel Nikko near Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Kintetsu and Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Kintetsu at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Kintetsu near Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Hotel Nikko and Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Nikko at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Nikko Bayside Osaka Starbucks near Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Hotel Universal Port near Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 indian restaurant display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Keihan hotel near Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 kurita display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 large empty hole near Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 large head Japanese doll at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 large Japanese doll at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 large menu at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 large toy display at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Mahi Mahi display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 McDonalds at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 memorial stamp at JR station.JPG	2005 06 17 Mike International display at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Moss Burgerl at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 movie toy display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 nostalgia museum display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Oean table at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Ogimachi Koen.JPG	2005 06 17 omrice display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 overhead signs at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Popcorn Papa at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 raman restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 ramen restaurant sign at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 restaurant display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 restaurant guide at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Ronald McDonald statue.JPG	2005 06 17 salad display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Shrimp New Orleans display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Shrimpers Net Catch display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 small jinja.JPG	2005 06 17 Snoopy at Universal Studios Japan entrance.JPG	2005 06 17 soba display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Southern Charmed Fried Shrimp display at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 Starbucks in Hotel Nikko Bayside near Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 sushi display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 tempozan ferry map near Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 tempozan ferry sign near Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 tenpura udon display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 The soft cream house at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 three stories of Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 tonkatsu restaurant display at Universal CityWalk.JPG
2005 06 17 toy display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 toy museum display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 udon displays at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Universal CityWalk entrance.JPG
2005 06 17 Universal CityWalk sign.JPG	2005 06 17 Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 Universal Studios Japan entrance.JPG	2005 06 17 Universal Studios Japan globe.JPG
2005 06 17 Western city at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 yawaraka display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 06 17 zaru soba display at Universal CityWalk.JPG	2005 08 02 boats at Ueno Koen.JPG
2005 08 02 buildings and lake at Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Buildings in Nishi-Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 buildings with advertisements in Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 cats on garbage can in Shinjuku.JPG
2005 08 02 Directional sign in Japanese.JPG	2005 08 02 Disney Ambassador hotel.JPG	2005 08 02 doraimon and other toys for sale at Ueno koen.JPG	2005 08 02 duck boats at Ueno Koen.JPG
2005 08 02 Dumbo statue at Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 Entrance of Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 green plants at Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Hilton Tokyo Bay.JPG
2005 08 02 Homeless shelters in Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 homeless tent in Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Hotel Okura near Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 Ikspari area.JPG
2005 08 02 Inside Roppongi Hills area.JPG	2005 08 02 Inside Tokyo Disneyland Monorail.JPG	2005 08 02 JR Train fair to Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 Koba Theater in Tokyo.JPG
2005 08 02 Minnie Mouse rings in Tokyo Disneyland Monorail.JPG	2005 08 02 more green plants at Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Mori Building in Roppongi Hills.JPG	2005 08 02 Nishi Shinjuku buildings.JPG
2005 08 02 Outside Roppongi Hills.JPG	2005 08 02 path at Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 people at Shibuya crossing.JPG	2005 08 02 pond at Ueno Koen.JPG
2005 08 02 Prince Hotel Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 Richard Gere advertisement for Dandy House.JPG	2005 08 02 Roppongi hills map.JPG	2005 08 02 Roppongi Hills shopping area.JPG
2005 08 02 Sheraton Hotel near Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 Sheraton Hotel Yokoyama.JPG	2005 08 02 Shibuya crossing.JPG	2005 08 02 Shingawa Tip Toilet.JPG
2005 08 02 Shinjuku advertisements.JPG	2005 08 02 Shinjuku area in Tokyo.JPG	2005 08 02 shinjuku buildings.JPG	2005 08 02 Shinjuku street.JPG
2005 08 02 statue in Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 street in Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 temple at Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo art museum.JPG
2005 08 02 Tokyo Bay Hotel Tokyu.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland area map.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland as seen from JR station.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland entrance.JPG
2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland Monorail.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland Station.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland walkway decoration.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneyland.JPG
2005 08 02 Tokyo Disneysea entrance.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo near Roppongi Hills.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo subway station.JPG	2005 08 02 Tokyo Tower seen from Roppongi Hills.JPG
2005 08 02 Train faire on JR to Tokyo Disneyland.JPG	2005 08 02 Two ducks at Ueno koen.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno Koen area temple.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno Koen flower.JPG
2005 08 02 Ueno Koen map in Japanese.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno koen map.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno Koen temple area.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno Koen train station.JPG
2005 08 02 Ueno Koen Zoo entrance.JPG	2005 08 02 Ueno Koen.JPG	2005 08 02 unreadable map in Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 video screen at Shibuya crossing.JPG
2005 08 02 View from Bic Camera Building in Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 02 waiting for the light at Shibuya crossing.JPG	2005 08 02 Yamanote map in English.JPG	2005 08 02 Yamanote map in Japanese.JPG
2005 08 02 Yodobashi camera in Shinjuku.JPG	2005 08 03 four JR staff members hanging a sign.JPG
Introduction	Japan

Background:

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. 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, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Geography Japan Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 377,835 sq km land: 374,744 sq km water: 3,091 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish Land use: arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 25,920 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia People Japan Population: 127,463,611 (July 2006 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 9,309,524/female 8,849,476) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 42,158,122/female 41,611,754) 65 years and over: 20% (male 10,762,585/female 14,772,150) (2006 est.) Median age: total: 42.9 years male: 41.1 years female: 44.7 years (2006 est.) Population growth rate: 0.02% (2006 est.) Birth rate: 9.37 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) Death rate: 9.16 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.25 years male: 77.96 years female: 84.7 years (2006 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 500 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic groups: Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914) note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) 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% male: 99% female: 99% (2002) Government Japan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government Capital: name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 42 N, 139 46 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU) National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modeled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; KOIZUMI's term as leader of the LDP is scheduled to end in September 2006; a new prime minister may be chosen at that time; monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs) elections: House of Councillors - last held 11 July 2004 (next to be held in July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 11 September 2005 (next election by September 2009) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 115, DPJ 82, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5, others 7; distribution of seats as of January 2006 - LDP 112, DPJ 83, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 6, others 8 : House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 47.8%, DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24; distribution of seats as of January 2006 - LDP 294, DPJ 112, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 27 (2006) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Ichiro OZAWA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Takenori KANZAKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Economy Japan Economy - overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US and the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. One notable characteristic of the economy is how manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors work together in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets and to force a restructuring of the economy. From 2000 to 2003, government efforts to revive economic growth met with little success and were further hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and Asian economies. In 2004 and 2005, growth improved and the lingering fears of deflation in prices and economic activity lessened. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Some fear that a rise in taxes could endanger the current economic recovery. Internal conflict over the proper way to reform the financial system will continue as Japan Post's banking, insurance, and delivery services undergo privatization between 2007 and 2017. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.018 trillion (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.664 trillion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.7% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,500 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.8% services: 72.5% (2005 est.) Labor force: 66.4 million (2005 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 27.8% services: 67.7% (2004) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.9 (2000) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.3% (2005 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 23.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.429 trillion expenditures: $1.775 trillion; including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $71 billion (2005 est.) Public debt: 158% of GDP (2005 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Industries: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2005 est.) Electricity - production: 1.017 trillion kWh (2003) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% nuclear: 29.8% other: 1.8% (2001) Electricity - consumption: 946.3 billion kWh (2003) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2003) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2003) Oil - production: 120,700 bbl/day (2003 est.) Oil - consumption: 5.578 million bbl/day (2003 est.) Oil - exports: 93,360 bbl/day (2001) Oil - imports: 5.449 million bbl/day (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 29.29 million bbl (1 January 2002) Natural gas - production: 2.814 billion cu m (2003 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 86.51 billion cu m (2003 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 39.64 billion cu m (1 January 2002) Current account balance: $165.6 billion (2005 est.) Exports: $550.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals Exports - partners: US 22.9%, China 13.4%, South Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 7.3%, Hong Kong 6.1% (2005) Imports: $451.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials (2001) Imports - partners: China 21%, US 12.7%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, UAE 4.9%, South Korea 4.7%, Australia 4.4%, Indonesia 4% (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $835.5 billion (2005 est.) Debt - external: $1.545 trillion (31 December 2004) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $8.9 billion (2004) Currency (code): yen (JPY) Currency code: JPY Exchange rates: yen per US dollar - 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004), 115.93 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Communications Japan Telephones - main lines in use: 58.788 million (2004) Telephones - mobile cellular: 91,473,900 (2004) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21 (2001) Radios: 120.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Televisions: 86.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .jp Internet hosts: 21,304,292 (2005) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 73 (2000) Internet users: 86.3 million (2005) Transportation Japan Airports: 175 (2006) Airports - with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 30 (2006) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 26 (2006) Heliports: 15 (2006) Pipelines: gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2004) Railways: total: 23,556 km standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified) narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,264 km 1.067-m gauge (13,280 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2005) Roadways: total: 1.183 million km paved: 925,000 km (including 6,946 km of expressways) unpaved: 258,000 km (2003) Waterways: 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2006) Merchant marine: total: 683 ships (1000 GRT or over) 10,468,077 GRT/12,050,990 DWT by type: barge carrier 5, bulk carrier 127, cargo 30, chemical tanker 21, container 12, liquefied gas 53, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 157, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 50, vehicle carrier 56 registered in other countries: 2,351 (Australia 1, The Bahamas 51, Belize 5, Burma 4, Cambodia 2, China 2, Cyprus 17, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 4, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 64, Indonesia 4, Isle of Man 4, Liberia 100, Malaysia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 5, Norway 1, Panama 1,921, Philippines 25, Portugal 9, Singapore 93, Sweden 2, Thailand 4, Vanuatu 26, unknown 1) (2005) Ports and terminals: Chiba, Kawasaki, Kiire, Kisarazu, Kobe, Mizushima, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Yohohama Military Japan Military branches: Japanese Defense Agency (JDA): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jietai, ASDF) (2006) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 18-49: 27,003,112 females age 18-49: 26,153,482 (2005 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 18-49: 22,234,663 females age 18-49: 21,494,947 (2005 est.) Manpower reaching military service age annually: males age 18-49: 683,147 females age 18-49: 650,157 (2005 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $44.31 billion (2005 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Japan Disputes - international: the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting This page was last updated on 22 August, 2006   Copyright © 2006 by Mark McCracken All Rights Reserved. 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