The document provides an overview of Japan's history, government, and population. It discusses how Japan transitioned from isolation in the 1600s to a regional power by the early 1900s. It then summarizes Japan's defeat in WWII and recovery to become an economic leader. The document also notes key details about Japan's population trends, including an aging society and low birth rates. It concludes with brief descriptions of Japan's emperor and prime minister roles in the government.

1. Rone Ryan R. Desierto D3-C
Introduction
Japan
In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic
government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from
foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a
flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of
Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was
able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa
(Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in
1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 -
triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and
Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an
economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a
symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power.
Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a
major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains a major economic power.
In January 2009, Japan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for
the 2009-10 term.

2. Population
The population of Japan as per June 2008 stands at 127.7 million. Japan the 10th
most populous country of the world, contributes 2% of the total global
population. Population density in Japan is 339 persons per square kilometer and
ranks 32nd in the world in respect to country population density.
As per the latest stats median age life expectancy at birth is 82.12 years of
an average Japanese is 44.2 years and infant mortality rate is 2.79 deaths per 1000
births. 66% of the entire Japanese populationlives in urban areas with an annual
change rate of urbanization as 0.2%.
Japan is now a day is facing a sharp decline in its populations as the # of deaths is
outnumbering the # of births in the country. This has impacted the growth prospects of
the country negatively. Longer life expectancy and low birth rates means that reducing
Japanese population is graying at a higher rate. This is an alarming situation for Japan
especially during this universal global recession time.
In 2008, the government of Japan recovered 1.14 million deaths, the highest ever in
Japan since 1947. It was until 2005 that the # of births exceeded the # of deaths. But
the figures have changed drastically and in 2008 itself 1.09 million births and 1.14
million deaths resulted in a population dip by over 50,000 people. Due to this population
fall almost 25% of the present Japanese population is of the age 65 and above, which
further makes the Japanese economy weaker.
Emperor: Akihito (1989)
Prime Minister: Naoto Kan (2010)
Land area: 152,411 sq mi (394,744 sq km); total area: 145,882 sq mi (377,835 sq km)
Population (2010 est.): 126,804,433 (growth rate: -0.24%); birth rate: 7.4/1000; infant mortality rate:
2.8/1000; life expectancy: 82.1; density per sq km: 339
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Tokyo, 35,327,000 (metro. area), 8,483,050 (city proper)

3. Other large cities: Yokohama, 3,494,900 (part of Tokyo metro. area); Osaka, 11,286,000 (metro. area),
2,597,000 (city proper); Nagoya, 2,189,700; Sapporo, 1,848,000; Kobe, 1,529,900 (part of Osaka metro.
area); Kyoto, 1,470,600 (part of Osaka metro. area); Fukuoka, 1,368,900; Kawasaki, 1,276,200 (part of
Tokyo metro. area); Hiroshima, 1,132,700
Monetary unit: Yen
The Highest Point In Japan?
Mt. Fuji at 3776 meters is the highest point in Japan and is located near the Pacific coast of central
Honshu.
The Official Language Of Japan?
Well, Japanese is the national language because there is no legal body that says Japanese is official.
However, almost 100% of the people speak Japanese in everyday life, which means it is a de facto offical
language. There is also the Ainu language and the language spoken in Okinawa. Anonymous
Religion
Upper estimates suggest that 84–96 percent of the Japanese population subscribe
to Buddhism or Shinto, including a large number of followers of a syncretismof both religions. However,
these estimates are based on people affiliated with a temple, rather than the number of true believers.
Other studies have suggested that only 30 percent of the population identify themselves as belonging to a
religion. Nevertheless the level of participation remains high, especially during festivals and occasions
such as the first shrine visit of the New Year. Taoism and Confucianism from China have also influenced
Japanese beliefs and customs. Fewer than one percent of Japanese are Christian. In addition, since the
mid-19th century numerous new religious movementshave emerged in Japan.
Main exports
Japan exports iron and steel, and many consumer and electronics goods, including cameras
and computers. Automobiles, heavy machinery, tools, and appliances are also manufactured
for overseas sale.
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very
limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the
state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and
other elected members of the Diet, while sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people.[1] The
Emperor effectively acts as the head of state on diplomatic occasions. Akihito is the current
Emperor of Japan. Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, stands as next in line to the throne.
Japan's legislative organ is the National Diet, a bicameral parliament. The Diet consists of a
House of Representatives, containing 480 seats, elected by popular vote every four years or when

4. dissolved and a House of Councillors of 242 seats, whose popularly elected members serve six-
year terms. There is universal suffrage for adults over 20 years of age,[2] with a secret ballot for
all elective offices.[1] In 2009, the social liberal Democratic Party of Japan took power after 54
years of the liberal conservative Liberal Democratic Party's rule.
The Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government. The position is appointed by the
Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members and must enjoy the
confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office. The Prime Minister is the head
of the Cabinet (the literal translation of his Japanese title is "Prime Minister of the Cabinet") and
appoints and dismisses the Ministers of State, a majority of whom must be Diet members. Naoto
Kan currently serves as the Prime Minister of Japan.[3]
Politics under the Postwar Constitution
Historically influenced by Chinese law, the Japanese legal system developed independently
during the Edo period through texts such as Kujikata Osadamegaki. However, since the late
nineteenth century, the judicial system has been largely based on the civil law of Europe, notably
France and Germany. For example, in 1896, the Japanese government established a civil code
based on the German model. With post–World War II modifications, the code remains in effect
in present-day Japan.[4] Statutory law originates in Japan's legislature, the National Diet of Japan,
with the rubber stamp approval of the Emperor. The current constitution requires that the
Emperor promulgates legislation passed by the Diet, without specifically giving him the power to
oppose the passing of the legislation.[1] Japan's court system is divided into four basic tiers: the
Supreme Court and three levels of lower courts.[5] The main body of Japanese statutory law is a
collection called the Six Codes.[4]
Head of the state
[3]
The Imperial House of Japan is the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. In Nihon Shoki,
a book of Japanese history finished in the eighth century, it is said that the Empire of Japan was founded
in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu. The current emperor is His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Akihito, who has
been on the Chrysanthemum Throne since his father the Showa Emperor (Hirohito) died in 1989.
The role of the Emperor of Japan has historically alternated between a largely ceremonial and symbolic
role and that of an actual imperial ruler. Since the establishment of the first shogunate in 1192, the
emperors of Japan have rarely taken on a role as supreme battlefield commander, unlike many
Western monarchs. Japanese emperors have nearly always been controlled by external political forces,
to varying degrees. In fact, from 1192 to 1867, the shoguns, or their shikken regents (1203–1333), were
the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor.