1. Japan

2. The flag of Japan is white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center.

3. Capital is Tokyo.

4. Early History Earliest inhabitants came from central Asia thousands of years ago. Rice farming came from China to Japan around 300 B.C. In A.D. 700’s Japan developed a feudal system of government.

5. Early History When Portuguese traders & Spanish missionaries arrived in mid 1500’s, Japan was afraid it would be changed. Japan closed itself off from the Western world. It did not open up to the West until the mid 1850’s.

6. Government Japan has a parliamentary government with a hereditary monarchy. Executive branch Emperor Akihito Prime Minister Naoto Kan (elected by the Diet) Legislative branch Parliament is called the Diet. Members are elected by popular vote.

7. Religion and Ethic Groups Religious Groups ***Note—Total is more Shintoism 83.9% than 100 because Buddhism 71.4% many claim both Christianity 2% Shinto & Buddhism. other 7.8% Ethnic Groups Japanese 98.5% Koreans 0.5% Chinese 0.4% other 0.6%

8. Judicial branch All judges are appointed. Official Language Japanese

9. Economy Japan has a free market economy. Since World War II, Japan has become the world’s third largest economy. With very few natural resources and very little agricultural space, Japan must import most of the raw materials it needs.

10. Economy It is dependent on other countries for those materials. However, it uses a practice called protectionism This is setting up trade barriers to protect Japan’s industry from foreign competition to keep Japanese industry strong.

11. Major Industry  One of world’s most advanced and largest automobile manufacturers.  Electronics  Machine tools  Ships  Chemicals Natural Resources  negligible mineral resources,  fish –note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

12. Geography & Climate Geography mostly rugged and mountainous Climate varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

13. Environmental 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

14. Literacy Rate –Total 99% –Male 99% –Female 99% Life Expectancy –Total 82 –Male 79 –Female 85.5 GDP –$32,600 per capita Population 126,804,433 Below Poverty Level –??% (N/A)