2013 Edition

Background

In 1603, after 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. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. 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 a major economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killing thousands and damaging several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters.

Area

377,915 sq km 364,485 sq km 13,430 sq km includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

total

377,915 sq km

water

13,430 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than California

Climate

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Coastline

29,751 km

Elevation extremes

Hachiro-gata -4 m Fujiyama 3,776 m

highest point

Fujiyama 3,776 m

lowest point

Hachiro-gata -4 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

90.04 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) 714.3 cu m/yr (2007)

per capita

714.3 cu m/yr (2007)

total

90.04 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)

Geographic coordinates

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location in northeast Asia

Irrigated land

25,000 sq km (2010)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

11.26% 0.81% 87.93% (2011)

arable land

11.26%

other

87.93% (2011)

permanent crops

0.81%

Location

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait

Natural hazards

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu

volcanism

both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu

Natural resources

negligible mineral resources, fish with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

Terrain

mostly rugged and mountainous

Total renewable water resources

430 cu km (2011)

Age structure

13.4% (male 8,808,568/female 8,204,514) 9.7% (male 6,394,809/female 5,958,408) 38.3% (male 24,149,308/female 24,588,409) 13.8% (male 8,785,719/female 8,786,968) 24.8% (male 13,656,792/female 17,919,580) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

13.4% (male 8,808,568/female 8,204,514)

15-24 years

9.7% (male 6,394,809/female 5,958,408)

25-54 years

38.3% (male 24,149,308/female 24,588,409)

55-64 years

13.8% (male 8,785,719/female 8,786,968)

65 years and over

24.8% (male 13,656,792/female 17,919,580) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

8.23 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.3% percent of women aged 20-49 (2005)

Death rate

9.27 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

61.6 % 21.1 % 40.5 % 2.5 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

40.5 %

potential support ratio

2.5 (2013)

total dependency ratio

61.6 %

youth dependency ratio

21.1 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004)

Health expenditures

9.3% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,100 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

13.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

2.17 deaths/1,000 live births 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births 1.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

1.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

2.17 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Japanese

Life expectancy at birth

84.19 years 80.85 years 87.71 years (2013 est.)

female

87.71 years (2013 est.)

total population

84.19 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2002)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2002)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major urban areas - population

TOKYO (capital) 36.507 million; Osaka-Kobe 11.325 million; Nagoya 3.257 million; Fukuoka-Kitakyushu 2.809 million; Sapporo 2.673 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

45.8 years 44.4 years 47.2 years (2013 est.)

female

47.2 years (2013 est.)

male

44.4 years

total

45.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.4 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Japanese (singular and plural) Japanese

adjective

Japanese

noun

Japanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5% (2008)

Physicians density

2.14 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

127,253,075 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.1% (2013 est.)

Religions

Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8% total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 16 years 15 years (2010)

female

15 years (2010)

male

16 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.08 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.39 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

8% 8.9% 7.1% (2011)

female

7.1% (2011)

total

8%

Urbanization

91.3% of total population (2011) 0.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

91.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

Capital

Tokyo 35 41 N, 139 45 E UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

35 41 N, 139 45 E

name

Tokyo

time difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 (2013)

Country name

none Japan Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku Nihon/Nippon

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Japan

local long form

Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku

local short form

Nihon/Nippon

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Caroline Bouvier KENNEDY (since 19 November 2013) 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 [81] (03) 3224-5000 [81] (03) 3505-1862 Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo Fukuoka, Nagoya

chief of mission

Ambassador Caroline Bouvier KENNEDY (since 19 November 2013)

consulate(s)

Fukuoka, Nagoya

consulate(s) general

Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo

embassy

1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420

FAX

[81] (03) 3505-1862

mailing address

Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300

telephone

[81] (03) 3224-5000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012) 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 238-6700 [1] (202) 328-2187 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Anchorage (AK), Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

chancery

2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012)

consulate(s)

Anchorage (AK), Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle

FAX

[1] (202) 328-2187

telephone

[1] (202) 238-6700

Executive branch

Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012) Cabinet is appointed by the prime minister Diet, the bicameral legislature, designates the prime minister; constitution requires that the prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, the leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary

cabinet

Cabinet is appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)

elections

Diet, the bicameral legislature, designates the prime minister; constitution requires that the prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, the leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary

head of government

Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012)

Flag description

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center

Government type

a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy

Independence

3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)

3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates

660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices) note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho)

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward

subordinate courts

8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho)

Legal system

civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) half elected every three years; and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet House of Councillors - last held on 21 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 16 December 2012 (next to be held by 15 December 2016) House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 115, DPJ 59, New Komeito 20, Your Party 18, JCP 11, JRP 9, SDP 3, others 4, independents 3 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (by proportional representation) - LDP 31.6%, DPJ 16.6%, JRP 22.2%, New Komeito 12.2%, Your Party 7.7%, JCP 4.4%, TRP 3.9%, others 1.4%; seats by party LDP 294, DPJ 57, JRP 54, New Komeito 31, Your Party 18, TPJ 9, JCP 8, others 4, independents 5

election results

House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 115, DPJ 59, New Komeito 20, Your Party 18, JCP 11, JRP 9, SDP 3, others 4, independents 3

elections

House of Councillors - last held on 21 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 16 December 2012 (next to be held by 15 December 2016)

National anthem

"Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign) unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI adopted 1999; in use as unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor

lyrics/music

unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI

name

"Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign)

National holiday

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

National symbol(s)

red sun disc; chrysanthemum

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Banri KAIEDA] Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII] Japan Restoration Party or JRP [Shintaro ISHIHARA] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE] New Komeito or NK [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI] People's Life Party or PF [Ichiro OZAWA] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] Tomorrow Party of Japan or TPJ [Tomoko ABE] Your Party or YP [Yoshimi WATANABE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

business groups; trade unions

other

business groups; trade unions

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish

Budget

$1.988 trillion $2.578 trillion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$2.578 trillion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.988 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-10% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.1% (31 December 2012) 0.3% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

1.48% (31 December 2012 est.) 1.48% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$60.8 billion (2012 est.) $119 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$3.024 trillion (31 December 2012) $3.115 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.6 (2008) 24.9 (1993)

Economy - overview

In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan develop a technologically advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. While self-sufficient in rice production, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession three times since 2008. A sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan into recession. Government stimulus spending helped the economy recover in late 2009 and 2010, but the economy contracted again in 2011 as the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in March disrupted manufacturing. The economy has largely recovered in the two years since the disaster, but reconstruction in the Tohoku region has been uneven. Newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo ABE has declared the economy his government's top priority; he has pledged to reconsider his predecessor's plan to permanently close nuclear power plants and is pursuing an economic revitalization agenda of fiscal stimulus and regulatory reform and has said he will press the Bank of Japan to loosen monetary policy. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2012 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after second-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. The new government will continue a longstanding debate on restructuring the economy and reining in Japan's huge government debt, which exceeds 200% of GDP. Persistent deflation, reliance on exports to drive growth, and an aging and shrinking population are other major long-term challenges for the economy.

Exchange rates

yen (JPY) per US dollar - 79.79 (2012 est.) 79.81 (2011 est.) 87.78 (2010 est.) 93.57 (2009) 103.58 (2008)

Exports

$776.6 billion (2012 est.) $789.9 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

motor vehicles 13.6%; semiconductors 6.2%; iron and steel products 5.5%; auto parts 4.6%; plastic materials 3.5%; power generating machinery 3.5%

Exports - partners

China 18.1%, US 17.8%, South Korea 7.7%, Thailand 5.5%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

60.9% 20.5% 21.2% -0.6% 14.7% -16.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

14.7%

government consumption

20.5%

household consumption

60.9%

imports of goods and services

-16.6%

investment in fixed capital

21.2%

investment in inventories

-0.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.1% 26.1% 72.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

1.1%

industry

26.1%

services

72.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$35,900 (2012 est.) $35,100 (2011 est.) $35,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2012 est.) -0.6% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.88 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.576 trillion (2012 est.) $4.488 trillion (2011 est.) $4.514 trillion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

21.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 22% of GDP (2011 est.) 23.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 27.5% (2008)

highest 10%

27.5% (2008)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$830.1 billion (2012 est.) $794.4 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum 15.5%; liquid natural gas 5.7%; clothing 3.9%; semiconductors 3.5%; coal 3.5%; audio and visual apparatus 2.7% (2011 est.)

Imports - partners

China 21.3%, US 8.8%, Australia 6.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, UAE 5%, South Korea 4.6%, Qatar 4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2012 est.)

Industries

among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0% (2012 est.) -0.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

65.55 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.9% 26.2% 69.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

3.9%

industry

26.2%

services

69.8% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.011 trillion (31 December 2012) $3.541 trillion (31 December 2011) $4.1 trillion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

16% (2010)

Public debt

219.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 210.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.268 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.296 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$13.12 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) $13.41 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.054 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $972.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$222.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $242.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.72 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $14.82 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.176 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.636 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.4% (2012 est.) 4.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.181 billion Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

3.472 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

135,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

44.12 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

859.7 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

63.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

7.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

17.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

287 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

936.2 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

112.6 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

122.2 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

3.273 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4.464 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

349,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1.311 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

3.862 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2012)

Internet country code

.jp

Internet hosts

64.453 million (2012)

Internet users

99.182 million (2009)

Telephone system

excellent domestic and international service high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2012)

domestic

high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind

general assessment

excellent domestic and international service

international

country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2012)

Telephones - main lines in use

64.273 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

138.363 million (2011)

Airports

175 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

25 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

38

2,438 to 3,047 m

45

914 to 1,523 m

28

over 3,047 m

6

total

142

under 914 m

25 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

28 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

33

Heliports

16 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 168, cargo 34, carrier 3, chemical tanker 29, container 2, liquefied gas 58, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 152, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle carrier 54 3,122 (Bahamas 88, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 23, China 2, Cyprus 16, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 79, Indonesia 8, Isle of Man 19, Liberia 110, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 59, Mongolia 2, Netherlands 1, Panama 2372, Philippines 77, Portugal 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 4, Singapore 164, South Korea 14, Tanzania 1, UK 5, Vanuatu 39, unknown 7) (2010)

registered in other countries

3,122 (Bahamas 88, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 23, China 2, Cyprus 16, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 79, Indonesia 8, Isle of Man 19, Liberia 110, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 59, Mongolia 2, Netherlands 1, Panama 2372, Philippines 77, Portugal 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 4, Singapore 164, South Korea 14, Tanzania 1, UK 5, Vanuatu 39, unknown 7) (2010)

total

684

Pipelines

gas 4,456 km; oil 174 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama

Railways

27,182 km 4,251 km 1.435-m gauge (4,251 km electrified) 486 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (486 km electrified) 96 km 1.372-m gauge (96 km electrified); 22,301 km 1.067-m gauge (15,222 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2009)

dual gauge

486 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (486 km electrified)

narrow gauge

96 km 1.372-m gauge (96 km electrified); 22,301 km 1.067-m gauge (15,222 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2009)

total

27,182 km

Roadways

1,210,251 km 973,234 km (includes 7,803 km of expressways) 237,017 km (2010)

total

1,210,251 km

unpaved

237,017 km (2010)

Waterways

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

27,301,443 26,307,003 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

26,307,003 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

27,301,443

Manpower fit for military service

22,390,431 21,540,322 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

21,540,322 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

22,390,431

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

623,365 591,253 (2010 est.)

female

591,253 (2010 est.)

male

623,365

Military branches

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD)

Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers (2012)

Disputes - international

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,100 (2012)

stateless persons

1,100 (2012)