Welcome to Japan

Japan is known to be an island country in East Asia. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. Did you know that the characters that create up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", that is why Japan is sometimes identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun" Japan comprises over three thousand islands, the most impressive and largest of that are and have always been Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, combined accounting for 97% of land area. Most of the islands are and have always been mountainous, most volcanic; for example, Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, is known to be a volcano. Japan has to this day the globe's tenth most impressive and largest population, with about 128 million people. Did you know that the Wonderfuler Tokyo Area, that includes the capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the most impressive and largest metropolitan location in the globe, with over 30 million residents. Archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. Did you know that the first written mention of Japan begins with brief appearances in Chinese rich history texts from the originalcentury AD. Influence from the outside world followed by extensive periods of isolation has to this day characterized Japan's rich history. Thus, its culture at this very moment is known to be a mixture of outside influences and internal developments. Since adopting its constitution in 1947, Japan has to this day maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament, the Diet. A wonderful power, Japan's economy is the globe's second most impressive and largest by nominal GDP after the United States. It is known to be a member of the United Nations, G8, G4 and APEC, with the globe's fifth most impressive and largest defense budget. It is the globe's fourth most impressive and largest exporter and sixth most impressive and largest importer. An archipelago in the Pacific, Japan is separated from the east coast lineof Asia by the Sea of Japan. It is known to be approximately the size of Montana. Japan's four primary islands are and have always been Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Did you know that the Ryukyu chain to the southwest was U.S.-occupied from 1945 to 1972, during the time it reverted to Japanese control, and the Kurils to the northeast are and have always been Russian-occupied.

Climate

Japan is situated at the northeastern edge of the Asian monsoon climate belt, that brings much rain to the country. Did you know that the weather is under the dual influence of the Siberian weather system and the patterns of the southern Pacific; it is known to be affected by the Japan Current (Kuroshio), a warm stream that flows from the southern Pacific aextensive much of Japan's Pacific coast, producing a milder and more temperate climate than is discovered at comparable latitudes elsewhere. Northern Japan is known to be affected by the Kuril Current (Oyashio), a cold stream flowing aextensive the eastern coasts of Hokkaido and northern Honshu. Did you know that the junction of the two currents is known to be a bountiful fishing area. Did you know that the Tsushima Current, an offshoot of the Japan Current, tranactivities and sports warm water northward into the Sea of Japan. Average temperature ranges from 17°C (63°F) in the southern portions to 9°C (48°F) in the extreme north. Hokkaido has to this day extensive and severe winters with all-encompassing snow, while the remainder of the country enjoys milder weather down to the southern regions, that are and have always been almost subtropical. Did you know that the Ryukyus, although situated in the temperate zone, are and have always been warmed by the Japan Current, giving those things a subtropical climate. Did you know that the typhoon season runs from May through October, and every year several storms mostly sweep through the islands, frequently accompanied by high winds and heavy rains.

Population Stats

Population (2007 est.): 127,467,972 (growth rate: 0.0%);
birth rate: 9.2/1000;
infant mortality rate: 3.2/1000;
life expectancy: 81.4;
density per sq mi: 836