Facts About Japan

Japan is strategically located in eastern Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan (CIA). As of July 2007, the population of Japan reached 127,433,494, with a population growth rate of -0.088. Its population is comprised of 13.8% young people (0-14 years old), 65.2% young adults to adults (15-64 years old), and 21% in old age (65 years old above). In addition, it has a high literacy rate of 99% with ages 15 and above can read and write (CIA).

Political

Japan's type of government is parliamentary governed by the Prime Minister and his cabinet. The lower house holds mostly the decision power and it nominates the Prime Minister. The House of Representatives can be easily dissolved while the House of Councilors cannot be dissolved (Maciamo).

Japan's political parties are Liberal Democratic Party (most stable party), Komeito or Clean Government Party (the third major party), Democratic Party of Japan (second most popular and newly founded party), Japanese Communist Party (with 3 to 5% seats at Diet), Japanese Socialist Party (almost disintegrated), Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party (Maciamo).

For the election system, ages 20 and above can vote with 25 as the minimum age to run for position for the lower house and 30 for the upper house. Both chambers were elected based on the combination of proportional representation and prefectural constituencies (Maciamo).

The Japanese laws also prohibit the electoral candidates to make written propaganda during the election periods. Candidates are only allowed to shout in loudspeakers in their vans while driving around their respective electoral constituencies. This would however create nuisance since residents would not know the candidates' political ideas (Maciamo).

Social

Japan is comprised of ethnic groups such as Japanese (98.5%), Koreans (0.5%), Chinese (0.4%), others (0.7%). Japan's industry is one of the largest and most technologically advanced particularly in the production of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, and processed foods (CIA). The agricultural products were manly rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruits, pork, poultry, dairy products, and fish (CIA).

Japan has become a major economic power with the average income levels and standards of living are among the highest in the world. This was primarily due to its exports of high-quality consumer goods developed with the latest technologies such as automobiles, cameras, computers, televisions, and sound systems (CIA). As of 2007, the GDP per capita of Japan reached $33,800. There is no percentage of the population that falls below the poverty line. Labor force in agriculture is 4.6%, industry 27.8% and services 67.7%. The unemployment rate is estimated at 4% (CIA).

Legal

Japan's legal system was patterned before the German civil law system with influence from English-American. The executive branch is headed by the emperor and the government is governed by the prime minister. Cabinet members are appointed by the prime minister. The legislative branch is comprised of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives. On the other hand, the judicial branch is comprised of the chief justice with other justices.

History

The Tokugawa shogunate was a military dictatorship that ushered in Japan for a long period of time. In this period, Japan enjoyed the stability and blooming indigenous culture. After which, the Treaty of Kanagawa with US in 1854 opened the ports of Japan for modernization and industrialization. From then on, Japan became a regional power occupying other countries like Korea, Manchuria and China. It entered World War II in 1941 and was defeated but soon recovered because of its ally to US. It experienced major economic slowdown in the 1990s but remains a major economic power in the region and worldwide.

Culture

Japan's national language is Japanese. Japanese people observe Shinto and Buddhist (84%), others 16% (including Christian 0.7%). Japanese food is mostly simple and fresh with many dishes served fresh. Rice is considered the most important part of the meal with fish as the most popular viand. Famous Japanese foods include sushi, sukiyaki, Konbu kelp, miso, and bento (lunch) boxes and sake. Japanese architecture is mostly drawn from locally available resources. Buildings like houses, temples and castles and traditional buildings were made from wood. The high population density makes Japanese people live in small homes and apartments (World Info Zone).

Conclusion

Japan's rich history and culture together with its government system guides the country to success. Japan is now one of the major economic powers in the world. It managed to keep the high standard of living of its people. Truly, Japan can be a model of success to other developing countries.

Works Cited

CIA. The World Factbook. Retrieved 27 March 2008 at [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html]

Maciamo. Japan's political system - Japan Reference. 2004. Retrieved 27 March 2008 at [http://www.jref.com/society/japan_political_system.shtml]

World Info Zone. Japan Information. Retrieved 27 March 2008 at [http://www.worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Japan]