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.

• Population: 127,214,499
• Ethnic Groups: Japanese 99%, others 1%
• Religions: Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16%

Geography:

• Area: total: 377,835 sq km. water: 3,091 sq km, land: 374,744 sq km
• Borders: none
• Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
• Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous

• Japan National Tourist Organization
• Japan Times Online
• Travel Guide
• Japanese Embassy, USA

• Industries: motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods

• Imports: machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials

• Exports: motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals