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JAPAN : Country Introduction

Map of Japan with National Capital, the largest city, and bordering countries.

In 1603, following 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. This policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture for more than two centuries. 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 an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing.

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Chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989).

Head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012).

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister.

Elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister.

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The Sensoji Temple: Tokyo’s largest ancient Buddhist temple and a major Tokyo attractions for Japanese and foreigners located in Asakusa.

TOKYO (Japans capital / largest city)

Places of interest: The Sensoji Temple

&

The Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree: One of Tokyo’s newest landmark & attraction, the 634 meter Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan. The tower is the primary television and radio broadcast site for Kanto region.

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Economics of Japan

Exports - commodities:

motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.)

Export partners:

US 20.2%, China 17.5%, South Korea 7.1%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Thailand 4.5% (2015)

Unemployment rate:

3.2% (2016 est.) 3.4% (2015 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.1% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.)