Japan
Brief History/News
Recorded Japanese history begins in approximately A.D. 400, when the Yamato clan, eventually based in Kyoto, managed to gain control of other family groups in central and western Japan. Buddhism was introduced around this time by contact with Korea. Through the 700s Japan was much influenced by China, and the Yamato clan set up an imperial court similar to China.
News
News
- "Japan recorded its 22nd straight monthly trade deficit in April. The deficit is due to the weaker yen and higher demand for fuel for thermal power generation"
- "A number of Japanese businesses are beginning to embrace the belief that napping in the afternoon can help raise efficiency at work."
- "A set of recommendations to lift growth in Japan's economy drafted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's party seen by Reuters calls for slashing corporate taxes, reforming public pensions, and -- in a curve ball -- increasing the number of professional baseball teams to 16 from 12."
Leadership
Head of state: Emperor Akihito
Prime minister: Shinzo Abe
Demographics
- Population: 126.4 million (UN, 2012)
- Capital: Tokyo
- Area: 377,864 sq km (145,894 sq miles)
- Major language: Japanese
- Major religions: Shintoism, Buddhism
- Racial Make-Up: Japanese (99%), Korean, Chinese, Brazillian, Filipino, other (1%)
- Life expectancy: 80 years (men), 87 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: yen
- Main exports: Vehicles, computer parts, chemicals, scientific instruments and watches
- Main imports: Crude Petroleum, Petroleum Gas, Coal, Briquettes, Coal Briquettes, Refined Petroleum, Iron Ore
- GNI per capita: US $44,900 (World Bank, 2011)
- Internet domain: .jp
- International dialling code: +81
- GDP: $5.96 trillion USD
- Average Income: $25,066 USD
- Main Trading Partners: China, U.S., S. Korea, Other Asian countries, Australia, Saudi Arabia
Source of Wealth
- Low birth and immigration rates
- Yen is not a reserve currency
- A low-inflation system that sacrifices dynamism for steadiness
- Their willingness to save through government bonds pays off in infrastructure investments in transportation and internet access.
Sources
- http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15215132
- http://www.infoplease.com/country/japan.html
- http://www.newsonjapan.com/
- http://www.indexmundi.com/japan/demographics_profile.html
- http://atlas.media.mit.edu/profile/country/jpn/
- http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/12/the-surprising-wealth-and-success-of-japan/67302/
- http://www.google.com/ (images)