• Japan, frequently referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun, is an island country located in Northeast Asia to the east of China, Korea and Russia.

  The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 cases in Japan reached 191 on May 20, 2009, more than any other country except the United States.Washington Post: Swine Flu Spreads in Japan, Despite Quarantine Inspections (May 20, 2009) Japan's gross domestic product shrank by a record 15.2 percent in the first quarter of 2009, following a 14.4 percent contraction in the fourth quarter of 2008. However, analysts predict a recovery later this year.Bloomberg: Japan's Economy Shrank Record 15.2% Last Quarter (Update1) (May 19, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Capital: Tokyo
  2. Government: Constitutional monarchy
  3. Emperor: Akihito
  4. Prime Minister: Taro Aso
  5. Language spoken: Japanese
  6. Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
  7. Country code: + 81
  8. Area code: 3
  9. Time zone: Japan Standard Time
  10. Founded in 600 BC by Emperor JimmuU.S. Department of State: Japan
  11. Population: 127,288,419 (2008 estimate)CIA World Factbook: Japan
  12. Climate: Temperate
  13. Member of The United Nations, G8, G4, OECD and APEC

• Geography

  Japan is comprised of over 3,000 islands along the Pacific coast of Asia, many of which are heavily forested, mountainous or volcanic.Asiarooms.com: Japan Japan's population of nearly 128 million people are mostly concentrated in large metropolitan centers, since up to 80% of the country is unsuitable for development due to climate and topography. Because of its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan sees several small earthquakes each year and occasional large earthquakes, which may also cause tsunamis.K12 Academics: Japan: Geography

• Earthquake Research

  Japan is one of the most earthquake prone places in the world because it sits atop two separate subduction zones, one of which has produced powerful, mega-thrust quakes that often lead to a tsunami.LiveScience: Scientists Dig Deep for In-Depth Look at Earthquakes (February 19, 2009)

  Currently a team of researchers have been divided into two groups, one assigned to Japan and the other to Costa Rica, both of which aim to utilize new tools in order to exact a more in-depth view of earthquake faults. For geologist Harold Tobin's Japanese team, this means studying the deep sea's floor, trying to gain a better understanding of an earthquake's affect underwater as it gives rise to tsunamis. His team will have access to a deep-sea drilling ship for their research, which is projected to take a decade to complete. The first phase was finished in February of 2009.LiveScience: Scientists Dig Deep for In-Depth Look at Earthquakes (February 19, 2009)

• Government

  Japan's government is a constitutional monarchy, with the dynastic Emperor representing the country as a ceremonial figurehead. Power is chiefly held by elected members of the Diet of Japan, a bicameral parliament, and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet.Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet: Fundamental Structure of the Government of Japan

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Yasuo Fukuda | Shinzo Abe | How to Speak Japanese | Tokyo | Japanese | Japan Vacation | Japanese Food | Kyoto Protocol | Japan Earthquake | China and Japan Lunar Missions | Japanese Moon Mission | Japanese House of Councillors election (2007) | 2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake | U.S. Conflict with North Korea | N. Korea Nuclear Deadline | North Korea Ends Nuclear Program | Osaka Vacation | Kyoto | Kyoto Hotels | Kyoto Restaurants | Kyoto Tours | Nagoya Vacation | Tokyo Hotels | Tokyo Restaurants | Tokyo Tours | Christmas in Japan | How to Make Matcha Tea | South Korea | North Korea | China | Russian Federation | Hiroshi Nohara | Mount Asama | Kuril Islands Earthquake

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