1. Japan Nippon ( 日 本 ) 嵐山京都

2.  Location of Japan   Population -127.13 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 )

3.  History of Japan Early Japanuntil 250 Yamato250 - 710 - 538/552 Introduction of Buddhism 594 - Buddhism is official religion 604 – First Japan Constitution 702 - 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 Heian794 -1192 - The capital moves to Heian (Kyoto - 京 都 ) “The Tale of Genji” ( 源氏物語 ) Kamakura1192-1333 - 1191 The Zen sect is introduced Muromachi1338-1573 Azuchi-Momoyama1573-1603 - 1592-98 Unsuccessful invasion of Korea Edo Period1603-1868 - Tokugawa government 1639 Almost complete isolation / 1841-47 The Black Ships Meiji Period1868-1912 - 1889 The Meiji Constitution 1894-95 Sino-Japanese War 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War 1910 Annexation of Korea. Taisho 1912-1926 - WWI -1914-18 1912-1926 Great Kanto Earthquake 1923 (Tokyo and Yokohama) Showa PeriodShowa Period1926-1989 - WWII and atomic bombs 1945 1947 New Constitution Heisei1989 - Earthquake Great Hanshin (Kobe) 19951989 Great East Japan 2011 Japan ( 日本 )

4.  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 )

5.  Embassy of Japan in Canberra 112 Empire Circuit, YARRALUMLA, ACT AUSTRALIA 2600, Tel: +61 2 6273 3244, Fax: +61 2 6273 1848 Japanese Consulate - General Sydney 34/52 Martin Place, Sydney 2000, AUSTRALIA, Tel: (02) 9231 3455, Fax: (02) 9221 615 http://www.sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/english/about_us/office_information.htm  Japanese Translator and Japanese Interpreter http://www.translationz.com.au/Language/Japanesetranslatortranslationinterpreter.aspx  Japanese Restaurants Kansai Japanese Restaurant Sydney - Shop B1, Hunter Connection, 7 - 13 Huter St,, Sydney, Tel: (02) 9231 5544 Saké Restaurant & Bar - 2 Argyle Street, The Rocks NSW, Tel: (02) 9259 5656 Akaneya Japanese Restaurant - 12-14 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW (02) 9235 2717, www.akaneya.com.au Ju-Rin (Original Restaurant) - 316 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Tel: (02) 9966 5811, www.jurin.com.au WAQU modern japanese dining - 308 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Tel: 02 9906 7736, www.waqu.com.au Masuya Japanese Restaurant - 12-14 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW, Tel: (02) 9235 2717, www.masuya.com.au  Japanese places of worship - Buddhist Asociation of Shinnyo-En Australia - 231 Longueville Road, LANE COVE, NSW 2066, Tel. (02) 9418 6688, URL: www.shinnyo-en.org, Abbot: Rev. Matsuda - Buddhist Society of N.S.W. - P O Box 89 NORTH SYDNEY N S W 2060Tel. (02) 9929 8643FAX: 9955 6183,, CONTACT: Malcolm Pearc - Hongwanji Buddhist Mission of Australia - 79 Archbold Road, LINDFIELD, NSW 2070Tel. (02) 8901 4334FAX: (02) 8901 4336E, URL: www.member.optushome.com.au/hbma, ABBOT: Rev. Shigenobu Watanabe - Koyasan Shingon Mission of Australia - Seizanji Temple - 301 Eastern Valley Way, MIDDLE COVE, NSW 2068, POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 4103, CASTLECRAG, NSW 2068, Tel. (02) 9417 6555, FAX: (02) 9882 2559 - Open Way Australia - Do Chu-an - Address: PO Box 993, BYRON BAY, NSW 248141 Sunrise Boulevard, Byron Bay, NSW 2481Tel. (02) 6680 8782E, URL: www.openway.org.au Japan ( 日本 )

6.  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 13-15- 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 24-25 - Christmas December 31- New Year's Eve (omisoka Japan ( 日本 )

7. Sources of information  http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp  http://facts-about-japan.com http://facts-about-japan.com  http://www.japan-guide.com http://www.japan-guide.com  http://www.buddhismaustralia.org/nsw.htm http://www.buddhismaustralia.org/nsw.htm Books  PEAKCHE OF KOREA AND THE ORIGIN OF YAMATO JAPAN ISBN 89-85567-02-0 93910 Japan ( 日本 )