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{{Redirect|NIPPON|other uses|Japan (disambiguation)|and|Nippon (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Japan
| common_name = Japan
| linking_name = Japan
| native_name = {{unbulleted list|{{native name|ja|日本国|italics=off|paren=omit}} or {{native name|ja|日本|italics=off}}{{efn|name=fn1|In English, the official name of the country is simply "Japan".<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Names of Member States (UNTERM) |url=https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/Country%20Names%20UNTERM3/$FILE/UNTERM%20-%20EFSRCA.pdf |publisher=UN Protocol and Liaison Service |accessdate=May 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605193554/https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/Country%20Names%20UNTERM3/$FILE/UNTERM%20-%20EFSRCA.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Japanese, the name of the country as it appears on official documents, including the [[Constitution of Japan|country's constitution]], is {{lang-ja|日本|label=none}} ( {{audio|help=no|Ja-nippon nihonkoku.ogg|''Nippon-koku''}} or ''Nihon-koku''), meaning "State of Japan". Despite this, the short-form name 日本 (''Nippon'' or ''Nihon'') is often used officially.}}|{{small|''Nippon-koku'' or ''Nihon-koku'' ''Nippon'' or ''Nihon''}}}}
| image_flag = Flag of Japan.svg
| alt_flag = Centered deep red circle on a white rectangle<ref>{{cite web|title=National Flag and National Anthem|url=http://www.japan.go.jp/culture/flagandanthem.html|quote=The Rising Sun Flag and "Kimi Ga Yo" are respectively the national flag and anthem of Japan. This was formalized in 1999 with the Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem.|accessdate=January 29, 2017}}</ref>
| image_coat = Imperial Seal of Japan.svg
| alt_coat = Golden circle subdivided by golden wedges with rounded outer edges and thin black outlines
| symbol_type = Imperial Seal
| other_symbol = {{unbulleted list |[[File:Goshichi no kiri.svg|75x75px|Seal of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Government of Japan]]|{{larger|{{nihongo||五七桐|Go-Shichi no Kiri}}}}}}
| other_symbol_type = [[Government Seal of Japan]]
| national_anthem = {{unbulleted list|"''[[Kimigayo]]''"|{{lower|0.25em|{{big|{{Nihongo2|君が代}}}}}}}} {{small|"His Imperial Majesty's Reign"}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Explore Japan National Flag and National Anthem|url=http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/national/index.html|accessdate=January 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Symbols|url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2270.html|accessdate=January 29, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040038/http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2270.html|archivedate=February 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[File:Kimi ga Yo instrumental.ogg|center]]
| image_map = Japan (orthographic projection).svg
| map_width = 220px
| alt_map = Projection of Asia with Japan's Area coloured green
| map_caption = Area controlled by Japan shown in green—claimed, but uncontrolled shown in light green
| capital = [[Tokyo]]<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Tokyo|url=http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/ABOUT/HISTORY/history01.htm|quote=The Edo Period lasted for nearly 260 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and imperial rule was restored. The Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. Thus, Tokyo became the capital of Japan|accessdate=January 29, 2017}}</ref>
| coordinates = {{Coord|35|41|N|139|46|E|type:city}}
| largest_city = capital
| languages_type = [[National language]]
| languages = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list
|98.5% [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
|0.5% [[Koreans in Japan|Korean]]
|0.4% [[Chinese people|Chinese]]
|0.6% other
}}
| ethnic_groups_year = 2011{{lower|0.4em|<ref name="cia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html |title=CIA Factbook: Japan |publisher=Cia.gov |accessdate=November 9, 2011 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220044055/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| demonym = [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
| government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]]
| leader_title1 = [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan|Naruhito]]
| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2 = [[Fumio Kishida]]
| leader_title3 = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Japan|Deputy Prime Minister]]
| leader_name3 = Vacant
| legislature = [[National Diet]]
| upper_house = [[House of Councillors (Japan)|House of Councillors]]
| lower_house = [[House of Representatives (Japan)|House of Representatives]]
| sovereignty_type = [[History of Japan|Formation]]
| established_event1 = [[National Foundation Day]]
| established_date1 = February 11, 660 BCE<ref>According to legend, Japan was founded on this date by [[Emperor Jimmu]], the country's first Emperor.</ref>
| established_event2 = [[Meiji Constitution]]
| established_date2 = November 29, 1890
| established_event3 = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of Japan|Current constitution]]}}
| established_date3 = May 3, 1947
| established_event4 =
| established_date4 =
| established_event5 =
| established_date5 =
| area_km2 = 377,972
| area_footnote = <ref>{{cite web|title=Facts about Japan, General Information|url=http://www.japan.go.jp/japan/facts/|accessdate=January 29, 2017}}</ref>
| area_rank = 61st 
| area_sq_mi = {{convert|377972|km2|sqmi|disp=output number only}}
| percent_water = 1.40 (as of 2015)<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|access-date=October 11, 2020|publisher=OECD|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER#}}</ref>
| population_census = 126,572,604<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/GL08020101.do?_toGL08020101_&tstatCode=000001080615&requestSender=search|title=最新結果一覧政府統計の総合窓口 GL08020101|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|accessdate=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2017
| population_census_rank = 10th
| population_density_km2 = 336
| population_density_rank = 36th
| GDP_PPP = $5.420 trillion<ref name="imf2">{{cite web|title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2017 – Report for Selected Countries and Subjects|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2014&ey=2022&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=158&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPPPEX&grp=0&a=&pr.x=87&pr.y=5|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF)|accessdate=April 21, 2016}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year = 2017
| GDP_PPP_rank = 4th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $42,960<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 27th
| GDP_nominal = $4.841 trillion<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_year = 2017
| GDP_nominal_rank = 3rd
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $38,281<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 20th
| Gini = 37.6 
| Gini_year = 2008
| Gini_change = 
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web|title=World Factbook: Gini Index|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]|accessdate=May 11, 2011|archive-date=June 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613005439/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Gini_rank = 76th
| HDI = 0.903 
| HDI_year = 2015
| HDI_change = increase 
| HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2016_human_development_report.pdf |title=2016 Human Development Report |year=2016 |accessdate=March 23, 2017 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 17th
| currency = [[Japanese yen|Yen]] (¥){{\}}{{transl|ja|''En''}} {{nihongo2|円}}
| currency_code = JPY
| time_zone = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset = +9
| utc_offset_DST = +9
| time_zone_DST = not observed
| date_format = {{unbulleted list|yyyy-mm-dd|yyyy年m月d日|{{nowrap|[[Japanese era name|Era]] yy年m月d日 {{small|([[Common Era|CE]]−1988)}}}}}}
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Japan|+81]]
| cctld = [[.jp]]
| official_website = [http://www.japan.go.jp/index.html www.japan.go.jp]
| religion = {{Unbulleted list|item_style=white-space:nowrap;|51.82% [[Shinto]]|34.9% [[Buddhism]]|4% [[Shinto sects and schools|Shinto sects]]|2.3% [[Christianity]]|7.0% No answer<ref name="Dentsu2006">Dentsu Communication Institute, Japan Research Center: ''[http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/honkawa/9460.html Sixty Countries' Values Databook]'' (世界60カ国価値観データブック) (2000).</ref>}}
| population_density_sq_mi = 882.7 
| iso3166code = JP
| today =
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Japan
| kanji = 日本国
| kyujitai = 日本國
| katakana = ニッポンコク ニホンコク
| hiragana = にっぽんこく にほんこく
| l = State of Japan
| romaji = Nippon-koku Nihon-koku
| revhep = Nippon-koku Nihon-koku
}}

'''Japan''' ({{lang-ja|日本}}; Romanised as ''nihon'' or ''nippon'') is a [[country]] in [[East Asia]]. It is a group of many [[island]]s close to the east coast of [[Korea]], [[China]] and [[Russia]]. The [[Pacific Ocean]] is to the east of Japan and the [[Sea of Japan]] is to the west.<ref name="CIA Factbook" /> Most people in Japan live on one of the four islands. The biggest of these islands, [[Honshu]], has the most people. Honshu is the 7th largest island in the [[world]]. [[Tokyo]] is the [[capital city|capital]] of Japan and its biggest city.

The [[Japanese people]] call their country "Nihon" or "Nippon",<ref name="CIA Factbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html|title=Japan|publisher=CIA|accessdate=2016-06-19|work=CIA World Factbook|archive-date=2015-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220044055/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> which means "the origin of the [[Sun]]" in Japanese. Japan is a [[monarchy]] whose [[head of state]] is called the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]].<ref name="CIA Factbook" /> Japan is the oldest monarchy in the world, lasting more than 2,000 years.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48133701|title=Emperor Naruhito and Japan's lonely republicans|last=Wong-Anan |first=Nopporn|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2022-01-18|work=BBC|date=3 May 2019 |archive-date=2019-05-03}}</ref>

==History of Japan==
{{Main|History of Japan}}{{History of Japan}}
The first people in Japan were the [[Ainu people]] and other [[Jōmon period|Jōmon people]]. They were closer related to [[Europe]]ans or [[Mongols]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Old World sources of the first New World human inhabitants: A comparative craniofacial view|last=Brace|first=C. Loring|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|year=2001|volume=98|issue=17|pages=10017–10022|doi=10.1073/pnas.171305898|pmid=11481450|pmc=55570|bibcode=2001PNAS...9810017L|doi-access=free}}</ref> They were later conquered and replaced by the [[Yayoi period|Yayoi people]] (early Japanese and Ryukyuans). The Yayoi were an ancient ethnic group that migrated to the Japanese archipelago mainly from [[China|southeastern China]] during the Yayoi period (300 BCE–300 CE). Modern [[Japanese people]] have primarily Yayoi ancestry at an average of 97%.<ref>https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2019/03/15/579177.full.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/fukayomi/20171214-OYT8T50003/|title=「縄文人」は独自進化したアジアの特異集団だった！ : 深読み|date=2017-12-15|website=読売新聞オンライン|language=ja|access-date=2019-12-19}}</ref> The indigenous [[Ryukyuan people|Ryukyuan]] and [[Ainu people|Ainu]] peoples have more Jōmon ancestry on the other hand.

The earliest records on Japan are from [[China|Chinese]] documents. One of those records said there were many small countries (in Japan) which had wars between them and later a country, ruled by a queen, became the strongest, unified others, and brought peace.

The Japanese began to write their own history after the [[5th century|5th]] and [[6th century|6th centuries]], when people from [[Korea]] and China taught Japan about the [[Chinese writing system]]. Japan's neighbours also taught them [[Buddhism]].<ref name="'Japan history'">{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2131.html |title=Early Japan (until 710) |accessdate=2009-06-16 |work=japan-guide.com }}</ref> The Japanese changed Buddhism in many ways. For example, Japanese Buddhists used ideas such as [[Zen]] more than other Buddhists.<ref name="'Japan history'" />

Japan had some contact with the Europeans in the [[16th century]]. The [[Portugal|Portuguese]] were the first Europeans to visit Japan. Later, the [[Spain|Spanish]] and [[Holland|Dutch]] came to Japan to trade. Also, they brought [[Christianity]]. Japan's leaders welcomed them at first, but because Europeans had conquered many places in the world, the Japanese were scared they would conquer Japan too. So the Japanese did not let the Europeans come into Japan anymore, except in a small area in [[Nagasaki]] city. Many Christians were killed. Only the Chinese, Korean, and Dutch people were allowed to visit Japan, in the end, and they were under careful control of the Japanese government. Japan was opened for visitors again in [[1854]] by Commodore [[Matthew C. Perry|Matthew Perry]], when the [[United States|Americans]] wanted to use Japanese ports for American [[whale]] boats. Perry brought steamships with guns, which scared the Japanese into making an agreement with him.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/ends/opening.htm |title= Perry & Opening of Japan |work= history.navy.mil |year= 2009 |accessdate= December 1, 2011 |archive-date= December 4, 2002 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20021204182024/http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/ends/opening.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref>
[[File:Ceremony_for_the_Promulgation_of_the_Constitution_by_Wada_Eisaku.jpg|thumb|Meiji Constitution]]
This new contact with Europeans and Americans changed the Japanese culture. The [[Meiji Restoration]] of [[1868]] stopped some old ways and added many new ones. The [[Empire of Japan]] was created, and it became a very powerful nation and tried to invade the countries next to it. It invaded and [[annexation|annexed]] [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryukyu]] Kingdom, [[Taiwan]], and Korea. It had wars with China and Russia: the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], the [[Boxer Rebellion]], the [[Russo-Japanese War]], [[World War I]].

In 1918, World War I allowed Japan, which joined the side of the victorious [[Allies of World War I|Allies]], to capture [[German colonial empire|German possessions]] in the Pacific and in China. which grew to become a part of [[World War II]] when Japan became allies with [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Fascist Italy]].
[[File:Japanese_Empire_(orthographic_projection).svg|thumb|240x240px|[[Empire of Japan]]（1942）]]
In 1941, Japan attacked [[Pearl Harbor]] in [[Hawaii]], a water base of the United States, and destroyed or damaged many ships and airplanes. This started the United States' involvement in [[World War II]]. American and Japanese forces fought each other in the Pacific. Once airbases were established within range of the Japanese mainland, America began to win, and started dropping bombs on Japanese cities. America was able to bomb most of the important cities and quickly brought Japan close to defeat. To make Japan surrender, the United States dropped two [[atomic bomb]]s on the cities of [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]], killing 150,000 Japanese citizens. Soon after this the [[Soviet Union]] began to fight against Japan, and the Japanese army in [[Manchuria]] lost. Japan surrendered and gave up all the places it took from other countries, accepting the [[Potsdam Conference|Potsdam]] Proclamation. The United States occupied Japan from September 1945 to April 1952 and forced it to write a new [[constitution]], in which it promised to never go to war again.

Japan was granted membership in the [[United Nations]] in 1956. A [[Japanese economic miracle|period of record growth]] propelled Japan to become the second-largest economy in the world.On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered one of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|largest earthquakes in its recorded history]], triggering the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. On May 1, 2019, after the historic [[abdication of Emperor Akihito]], his son [[Naruhito]] became Emperor, beginning the [[Reiwa period|Reiwa]] era. On 8 July 2022, former Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]] was [[Assassination of Shinzo Abe|assassinated]] while giving a campaign speech in [[Nara, Nara|Nara]].

==Geography==

Japan is a group of islands in the Western [[Pacific]], off the coast of China. The four biggest islands are [[Honshu]], [[Hokkaido]], [[Shikoku]], and [[Kyushu]], and there are about 6,000 smaller islands there. Japan is separated from the Asian continent by the [[Sea of Japan]] and the East China Sea. Honshu, which means 'Mainland' in the [[Japanese language]], is the biggest island. Hokkaido is the island north of Honshu. Kyushu is the island west of Honshu. Shikoku is the island to the south-west of Honshu.<ref name='CIA Factbook' />

In the middle of Japan there are mountains.<ref name='CIA Factbook' /> They cover the middle of the islands and leave a very narrow strip of flat land on most coasts. Many of the mountains are extinct [[volcano]]es, but some are still active. The highest of these mountains is the beautiful, volcano-shaped Mt Fuji (3,776 metres or 12,389 feet high). Japan has many earthquakes, in fact there are about 1500 of these every year.<ref name='CIA Factbook' /> The biggest earthquake recorded in Japan was in 2011 - called '2011 Tohoku Earthquake'. It caused great damage to several power plants forcing Japan to shut down all its nuclear plants. There was nuclear core meltdown which caused a serious health risk to nearby villages and cities.

90% of the people living in Japan live in just 10% of the [[land]], near the coast. The other 10% of the people in Japan live away from the coast.

Over 10 cities have more than a million people in them. The biggest city in Japan is [[Tokyo]], which is the capital.
[[File:Skyscrapers of Shinjuku 2009 January.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Tokyo]]]]

==Politics and government==
{{further|Government of Japan}}
[[File:Diet_of_Japan_Kokkai_2009.jpg|thumb|The [[National Diet Building]]]]
Historically influenced by [[Chinese law]], the [[Law of Japan|Japanese legal system]] developed independently during the Edo period through texts such as [[Kujikata Osadamegaki]]. Since the late 19th century, the [[Judicial system of Japan|judicial system]] has been largely based on the [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] of Europe, notably Germany. In 1896, Japan established a [[civil code]] based on the German [[Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch]], which remains in effect with post–World War II modifications. The [[Constitution of Japan]], adopted in 1947, is the oldest unamended constitution in the world. Statutory law originates in the legislature, and the constitution requires that the emperor promulgate legislation passed by the Diet without giving him the power to oppose legislation.

The main body of Japanese statutory law is called the [[Six Codes]].Japan's court system is divided into four basic tiers: the [[Supreme Court of Japan|Supreme Court]] and three levels of lower courts.The ruling party is the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)]] and the prime minister is Fumio Kishida. The legislature of Japan is called the [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]].

==Science and technology==
In the past, the Japanese learned science by way of China or from [[Europe]] in the [[Meiji Era]]. However, in recent decades Japan has been a leading innovator in several fields, including [[chemical engineering]], [[nanotechnology]], and robotics. There are many technological companies in Japan, and these companies make products for export.

The robot Asimo was made and introduced in the year [[2000]]. It was manufactured by [[Honda]].

==Society and culture==

{{see also|Japanese tea ceremony|Noh|Kabuki}}

Many things in Japanese culture originated in [[China]], like [[Go]] and [[bonsai]].

Cherry blossom also known as Japanese cherry and Sakura is thought to be the national flower of Japan.

Japan's traditional food is [[seafood]], rice, [[miso soup]], and vegetables. [[Noodles]] and [[tofu]] are also common. [[Sushi]], a Japanese food made of cooked rice with [[vinegar]] with other ingredients such as raw fish, is popular around the world.

The religion in Japan is mostly [[Shinto]] and [[Buddhist]]. Due to the tolerant nature of the two main Japanese religions, and the resulting intermixing of the two, many Japanese identify as both Shinto and Buddhist at the same time. There are small numbers of [[Christian]]s and [[Hindu]]s, and a few [[Jew]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/saraswati-is-the-most-revered-deity-in-japan-after-the-buddha-filmmaker-benoy-behl/ | title='Saraswati is the most revered deity in Japan, after the Buddha': Filmmaker Benoy Behl | date=11 May 2019 }}</ref>

When it comes to [[popular culture]], Japan is famous for making [[video game]]s. Many of the biggest companies that make games, like [[Nintendo]], [[Namco]], and [[Sega]], are Japanese. Other well-known parts of Japanese [[arts]] are [[comics]], called [[manga]], and digital [[animation]], or [[anime]]. Many people get to know Japanese or how life in Japan is like by reading manga or watching anime on [[television]].

The [[Ryukyuan people|Ryukyuans]] and the [[Ainu people|Ainu]] both have their own separate cultures, languages and religion.

==Armed forces==
{{further|Imperial Japanese Army|Japan Self-Defense Force}}

==Education==
{{further|List of national universities in Japan}}

==Cities==
The biggest cities in Japan are:
* [[Tokyo]] (Capital City）
* [[Yokohama]]
* [[Nagoya]]
* [[Osaka]]
* [[Kyoto]]
* [[Kobe]]
* [[Hiroshima]]
* [[Fukuoka]]
* [[Kitakyushu]]
* [[Sendai, Miyagi|Sendai]]
* [[Sapporo]]
* [[Nagasaki]]

In Japan there are seven traditional regions:<ref>{{cite book| author = Louis-Frédéric| title = Japan Encyclopedia| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA242| year = 2005| publisher = Harvard University Press| isbn = 978-0-674-01753-5| page = 242 }}</ref>
* [[Hokkaido]]
* [[Tohoku]]
* [[Kanto]]
* [[Chubu]]
* [[Kansai]]
* [[Chugoku]]
* [[Shikoku]]
* [[Kyushu]]

===Territorial problem===
Since Japan is an island nation, Japan has several problems over territory because maritime boundaries can be hard to protect. These days, Japan is competing for at least 4 different territories. It cannot agree with some neighbouring countries on whether the land belongs to Japan or the other country.
* [[Senkaku Islands]] problem (with [[China]] and [[Taiwan]])
* [[Liancourt Rocks]] island problem (with [[South Korea]])
* Southern [[Chishima Islands]] problem (with [[Russia]])
* [[Sea of Japan]] problem (with [[South Korea]] and [[North Korea]])

==Public transportation==
[[File:JR Central Shinkansen 700.jpg|thumb|left|High speed [[Shinkansen]] or ''Bullet trains'' are a common form of transportation in Japan.]]

There are several important international airports in Japan. [[Narita]] is the major international airport in the Tokyo area. Kansai International Airport serves as the main airport for [[Osaka]], [[Kobe]], and [[Kyoto]]. [[Chūbu Centrair International Airport]] near [[Nagoya]] is the newest of the three. [[Haneda Airport]] is close to central Tokyo and is the largest domestic airport in the country.

The [[Shinkansen]] is one of the fastest trains in the world and connects cities in Honshu and Kyushu. Networks of public and private railways are almost all over the country. People mostly travel between cities in buses.

==Subdivisions==
[[File:Regions and Prefectures of Japan (ja).png|230px|thumb|Prefectures in Japan]]
: {{Main|Prefectures of Japan}}
: {{Main|List of Provinces of Japan}}
Modern Japan is divided into 47 [[prefectures]].<ref>{{cite book| author = Louis-Frédéric| title = Japan Encyclopedia| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA780| year = 2005| publisher = Harvard University Press| isbn = 978-0-674-01753-5| page = 780 }}</ref> Before the [[Meiji period]] (1868-1912), the nation was divided into [[provinces]] which were consolidated in the prefectural system.

{| style="margin:auto;"
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Hokkaidō]]'''}}
----
1. [[Hokkaidō]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]'''}}
----
2. [[Aomori Prefecture|Aomori]] 
3. [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]] 
4. [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] 
5. [[Akita Prefecture|Akita]] 
6. [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]] 
7. [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Kantō region|Kantō]]'''}}
----
8. [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]] 
9. [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]] 
10. [[Gunma Prefecture|Gunma]] 
11. [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]] 
12. [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] 
13. [[Tokyo Metropolis|Tokyo]] 
14. [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Chūbu region|Chūbu]]'''}}
----
15. [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]] 
16. [[Toyama Prefecture|Toyama]] 
17. [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]] 
18. [[Fukui Prefecture|Fukui]] 
19. [[Yamanashi Prefecture|Yamanashi]] 
20. [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]] 
21. [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]] 
22. [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] 
23. [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]] 
|-
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Kansai]]'''}}
----
24. [[Mie Prefecture|Mie]] 
25. [[Shiga Prefecture|Shiga]] 
26. [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]] 
27. [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]] 
28. [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]] 
29. [[Nara Prefecture|Nara]] 
30. [[Wakayama Prefecture|Wakayama]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Chūgoku region|Chūgoku]]'''}}
----
31. [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]] 
32. [[Shimane Prefecture|Shimane]] 
33. [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]] 
34. [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]] 
35. [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Shikoku]]'''}}
----
36. [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]] 
37. [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]] 
38. [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]] 
39. [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]] 
| style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;" |
{{center|'''[[Kyūshū]] and [[Okinawa]]'''}}
----
40. [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]] 
41. [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]] 
42. [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]] 
43. [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]] 
44. [[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]] 
45. [[Miyazaki Prefecture|Miyazaki]] 
46. [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]] 
47. [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] 
|}

==Sports==
[[File:Sumo ceremony.jpg|thumb|[[Sumo]] fighters give a circle around the referee in the opening ceremony.]]
{{main|Sport in Japan}}
Japan has many traditional sports such as [[sumo]], [[judo]], [[karate]], [[kyūdō|kyudo]], [[aikido]], [[iaido]] and [[kendo]]. Also, there are sports which were imported from the West such as [[baseball]], [[soccer]], [[rugby]], [[golf]] and [[skiing]].<ref>{{cite book| author = Louis-Frédéric| title = Japan Encyclopedia| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA905| year = 2005| publisher = Harvard University Press| isbn = 978-0-674-01753-5| pages = 905–907 }}</ref> Baseball is the most popular sport.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Baseball in Japan and the US: History, Culture, and Future Prospects|url=https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/baseball-in-japan-and-the-us-history-culture-and-future-prospects/|access-date=2022-02-26|website=Association for Asian Studies|language=en-US}}</ref>

Japan has taken part in the [[Olympic Games]] since 1912. It hosted the Olympic Games in 1964, 1972, 1998 and 2020. From 1912 until now, Japanese sportspeople have won 398 medals in total.

Professional sports are also popular and many sports such as baseball (see [[Pacific League]] and [[Central League]]), soccer (see [[List of Japanese football teams]]), sumo, [[American football]], [[basketball]] and [[volleyball]], are played professionally.

==Related pages==
* [[Japanese food]]
* [[Japanese language]]
* [[Japanese calendar]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links}}

; Government
* [http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html Kantei.go.jp], official [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime ministerial]] and cabinet site
* [http://www.mofa.go.jp/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs], papers on Japan's foreign policy, education programs, culture and life.
* [http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/index.html National Diet Library]
* [https://sntv24samachar.com Sntv24samachar]
* [http://www.shugiin.go.jp/index.nsf/html/index_e.htm Shugi-in.go.jp], official site of the House of Representatives
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/JA.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211337/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/JA.html |date=2016-03-04 }}

{{Asia}}
{{G8}}
{{Group of 7}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:G7 nations]]
[[Category:Japan| ]]
[[Category:Current monarchies]]
[[Category:Monarchies of Asia]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]

Japan - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT at 13:38, 19 October 2022