Japan Nippon ( 日 本 ) 嵐山京都

 Location of Japan   Population million (on May 20th 2011 is app.)  Language – Japanese  The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor (Akihito) is very limited.  The Japanese economy is one of the third largest in the world.  Compulsory education in Japan comprises elementary (6) and middle school (3). Japan ( 日本 )

 History of Japan Early Japanuntil 250 Yamato /552 Introduction of Buddhism Buddhism is official religion 604 – First Japan Constitution Change name of the country from Wa ( 倭 or 大和 ) to Nihon ( 日本 ) 倭 - possibly "submissive, docile, obedient” or "short person; dwarf" Nara 710 – 794- First permanent capital / 나라 - Country Heian The capital moves to Heian (Kyoto - 京 都 ) “The Tale of Genji” ( 源氏物語 ) Kamakura The Zen sect is introduced Muromachi Azuchi-Momoyama Unsuccessful invasion of Korea Edo Period Tokugawa government 1639 Almost complete isolation / The Black Ships Meiji Period The Meiji Constitution Sino-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War 1910 Annexation of Korea. Taisho WWI Great Kanto Earthquake 1923 (Tokyo and Yokohama) Showa PeriodShowa Period WWII and atomic bombs New Constitution Heisei Earthquake Great Hanshin (Kobe) Great East Japan 2011 Japan ( 日本 )

 Religion – Shinto and Buddhism, plus religious freedom  Attitudes - Japanese have always prided themselves in their uniqueness.  Japan work ethics  Traditional lifestyl - without shoes.  Usual food/drink - Sashimi and Sushi, Domburimono, Tempura, Sukiyaki, Shabushabu, Okonomiyaki, Yakitori, Yakiniku.  Communication – Silenc, Sincerity, Truth is relative, Saving face, Eye contact, Speaking and Pointing. Japan ( 日本 )

 Embassy of Japan in Canberra 112 Empire Circuit, YARRALUMLA, ACT AUSTRALIA 2600, Tel: , Fax: Japanese Consulate - General Sydney 34/52 Martin Place, Sydney 2000, AUSTRALIA, Tel: (02) , Fax: (02)  Japanese Translator and Japanese Interpreter  Japanese Restaurants Kansai Japanese Restaurant Sydney - Shop B1, Hunter Connection, Huter St,, Sydney, Tel: (02) Saké Restaurant & Bar - 2 Argyle Street, The Rocks NSW, Tel: (02) Akaneya Japanese Restaurant O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW (02) , Ju-Rin (Original Restaurant) Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Tel: (02) , WAQU modern japanese dining Pacific Highway, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Tel: , Masuya Japanese Restaurant O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW, Tel: (02) ,  Japanese places of worship - Buddhist Asociation of Shinnyo-En Australia Longueville Road, LANE COVE, NSW 2066, Tel. (02) , URL: Abbot: Rev. Matsuda - Buddhist Society of N.S.W. - P O Box 89 NORTH SYDNEY N S W 2060Tel. (02) FAX: ,, CONTACT: Malcolm Pearc - Hongwanji Buddhist Mission of Australia - 79 Archbold Road, LINDFIELD, NSW 2070Tel. (02) FAX: (02) E, URL: ABBOT: Rev. Shigenobu Watanabe - Koyasan Shingon Mission of Australia - Seizanji Temple Eastern Valley Way, MIDDLE COVE, NSW 2068, POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 4103, CASTLECRAG, NSW 2068, Tel. (02) , FAX: (02) Open Way Australia - Do Chu-an - Address: PO Box 993, BYRON BAY, NSW Sunrise Boulevard, Byron Bay, NSW 2481Tel. (02) E, URL: Japan ( 日本 )

 Major religious holidays and events January 1 - New Year (shogatsu) Second Monday of January- Coming of Age (seijin no hi) February 3- Beginning of spring (setsubun) February 11- National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi) March 3 - Doll's Festival (hina matsuri) March 14 - White Day Around March 20- Spring Equinox Day (shunbun no hi) Golden Week April 29- Showa Day (Showa no hi) May 3- Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi) May 4- Greenery Day (midori no hi) May 5- Children's Day (kodomo no hi) July/August 7- Star Festival (tanabata) Third Monday of July- Ocean Day (umi no hi) July/August Obon - festival to commemorate deceased ancestors Third Monday of September- Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi) Around September 23- Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi) Second Monday of October- Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi) – 1964 November 3- Culture Day (bunka no hi) November 15- Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan) November 23- Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi) December 23- Emperor's Birthday (tenno no tanjobi) December Christmas December 31- New Year's Eve (omisoka Japan ( 日本 )

Sources of information     Books  PEAKCHE OF KOREA AND THE ORIGIN OF YAMATO JAPAN ISBN Japan ( 日本 )