Japan: The Components That Make It a Successful Country

The country of Japan has very unique geography, economy, culture and government. All of these important parts come together to create a very successful country.

The geography of Japan is very unique. The country of Japan is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The four major islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoko(Japan). This land though has not been the best for the Japanese. They are one of the most challenged countries geographically and environmentally (Gritzner). The land does not produce enough natural resources to support one of the world's biggest and most successful economies as ninety-five percent of the of the resources have to be imported (Gritzner). "Another challenge is that only fifteen percent of the land is suitable to farming, urban development, and transportation due to the rugged terrain" (Gritzner). The country also has to deal with volcanic eruptions, typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The tallest mountain in Japan turns out to be a volcano which is named Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji 12,388 feet high and is regarded in Japan as one of their most recognized symbols (Gritzner). The two most important rivers in Japan are the Shinanho which runs 367 kilometers and the Tama River which runs 138 kilometers (Gritzner). Even with a unique geography Japan continues to flourish.

The culture of Japan is a very complex one. The population of Japan is 127 million. Ninety-eight percent of that population is Japanese and the two percent that is left is Korean, Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino, and Americans (Gritzner). That population is fitted in into an area of about the size of Montana. That has brought many talks of overpopulation. The population's wealth is widely distributed and the amount of jobless people is only five percent (Gritzner). The official language of Japan is Japanese but due to the fact that there are other Asian races there, some people speak Chinese or Korean. The major religions in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism but most people combine these two beliefs into one. About eighty-five percent of the people practice these (Grtizner). The rest of the people are Christian or another religion. The country was first settled by groups of gatherers, hunters, and fishers (Japanese: History). One of those first groups was the Jomon who many believe started the country. They were a nomadic group that followed food sources for their hunting and fishing and that brought them to Japan (Grtizner). Many other groups came after this one to form a very successful country.

The country of Japan has become one of the world leaders in economy for several reasons. Many of the Japanese are willing to work and are willing to save. The average Japanese family has 40,000 dollars in savings while the average American family is 40,000 dollars in debt (Grtizner). The Japanese currency is Yen. The major exports of Japan are cars, electronic devices, and computers (Economy). The most important trade partner for Japan is the United States. Some of the minor countries with which Japan trades with are Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, and Singapore. Due to the not so mineral prosperous land, Japan imports much of their resources such as oil, foodstuffs, and wood (Economy). Their main supplier is the U.S. The most important parts to the economy are the industries such as agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, construction, real estate, services, and communication. Many of the Japanese work in these industries. With this many job opportunities, the wealth is widely distributed. The economy faces many challenges though, as the country is14.5 trillion dollars in debt (Gritzner). The economy has been on the downfall since the 1990s after their stock market was scuffling but has been on the way up since. Even with the downfall, the economy is the still a one of the most successful in the world.

Japan's government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy (Japan). The country's parliament has two houses called the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives (Gritzner). The role of the emperor is more like a monarchy as it is passed down. The country adopted this constitution after they surrendered to the Americans to end World War Two. Due to that surrendering, the U.S holds responsibility to protect Japan if they were engaged in war due to the constitution signed by both sides stating that Japan must renounce war forever (Gritzner). The two sides have friendly relations and are important trading partners to each other. Although the emperor is known as the leader of the country, he has no power and is known as the symbol of the country. The emperor does some important things as he appoints the prime minister and the chief justice (Gritzner). The prime minister is a very powerful person as he administers laws, managing foreign affairs, and making treaties (Gritzner). All of these important aspects come to create one of the most powerful countries in the world.

Works Cited

"Economy."

Japan-guide.com. 1996-2008. 12 May 2008 http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e644.html>.

Gritzner, Philips, Desauliniers. Japan. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004.

"Japan: History, Geography, Government, and Culture."

Infoplease.com. 2000-2008. 12 May 2008. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/a0107666.html>.

"Japan." The World Book Encyclopedia. 2007 ed.