2016 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 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.

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)

land

364,485 sq km

note

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

438 m lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m

highest point

Mount Fuji 3,776 m

mean elevation

438 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; following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan originally planned to phase out nuclear power, but it has now implemented a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards

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

Geographic coordinates

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets

Irrigated land

24,690 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

12.5% arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0% 68.5% 19% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

12.5%

forest

68.5%

other

19% (2011 est.)

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 natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

note

with virtually no natural energy 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

Age structure

12.97% (male 8,472,869/female 7,963,782) 9.67% (male 6,436,935/female 5,813,222) 37.68% (male 23,593,194/female 24,145,406) 12.4% (male 7,867,611/female 7,840,141) 27.28% (male 15,080,738/female 19,488,235) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

12.97% (male 8,472,869/female 7,963,782)

15-24 years

9.67% (male 6,436,935/female 5,813,222)

25-54 years

37.68% (male 23,593,194/female 24,145,406)

55-64 years

12.4% (male 7,867,611/female 7,840,141)

65 years and over

27.28% (male 15,080,738/female 19,488,235) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

7.8 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.4% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

note

percent of women aged 20-49 (2005)

Death rate

9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

64.5% 21.1% 43.3% 2.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

43.3%

potential support ratio

2.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

64.5%

youth dependency ratio

21.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2014)

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)

note

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

10.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

13.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

2 deaths/1,000 live births 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

2.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Japanese

Life expectancy at birth

85 years 81.7 years 88.5 years (2016 est.)

female

88.5 years (2016 est.)

male

81.7 years

total population

85 years

Major urban areas - population

TOKYO (capital) 38.001 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.238 million; Nagoya 9.406 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.51 million; Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.369 million; Sapporo 2.571 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

46.9 years 45.6 years 48.3 years (2016 est.)

female

48.3 years (2016 est.)

male

45.6 years

total

46.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.3 (2012 est.)

Nationality

Japanese (singular and plural) Japanese

adjective

Japanese

noun

Japanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.5% (2014)

Physicians density

2.3 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

126,702,133 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.19% (2016 est.)

Religions

Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1% total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.)

note

total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 15 years (2013)

female

15 years (2013)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.41 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.9% 6.4% 5.4% (2014 est.)

female

5.4% (2014 est.)

male

6.4%

total

5.9%

Urbanization

93.5% of total population (2015) 0.56% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.56% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

93.5% of total population (2015)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 ; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1947 (2016)

Country name

none Japan Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku Nihon/Nippon the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the rising sun"

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Japan

etymology

the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the rising sun"

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 Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam)

chancery

2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012)

consulate(s) general

Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam)

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 appointed by the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister

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

parliamentary 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, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, 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), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, 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); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues

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; 146 members directly elected by majority vote and 96 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve maximum 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years) House of Councillors - last held on 10 July 2016 (next to be held in July 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 14 December 2014 (next to be held by 15 December 2016) House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 123, DP 51, Komeito 25, JCP 14, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 12, Independents Club 5, The Party for Japanese Kokoro 3, independents 2; note: 7 seats are pending confirmation House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 291, DPJ 71, Komeito 35, JCP 21, JIP 21, Osaka Ishin no Kai 13, Group of Reformists 5, SDP 2, PLPTYF 2, independents 13, 1 seat vacant the 2013 amended electoral law - effective for the December 2016 election - reduced to 475 the number of seats in the House of Representatives

description

bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats; 146 members directly elected by majority vote and 96 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve maximum 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years)

election results

House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 123, DP 51, Komeito 25, JCP 14, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 12, Independents Club 5, The Party for Japanese Kokoro 3, independents 2; note: 7 seats are pending confirmation

elections

House of Councillors - last held on 10 July 2016 (next to be held in July 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 14 December 2014 (next to be held by 15 December 2016)

note

the 2013 amended electoral law - effective for the December 2016 election - reduced to 475 the number of seats in the House of Representatives

National anthem

"Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign) unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI adopted 1999; 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)

note

adopted 1999; 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

National holiday

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

National symbol(s)

red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors: red, white

red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Renho MURATA] Group of Reformists [Sakihito OZAWA] Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII] Japan Innovation Party or JIP [Yorihisa MATSUNO] Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE] New Renaissance Party [Hiroyuki ARAI] Osaka Ishin no Kai [Ichiro MATSUI] Party for Future Generations or PFG [Kyoko NAKAYAMA] People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends or PLPTYF [Ichiro OZAWA] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA] The Assembly to Energize Japan and the Independents [Kota MATSUDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

business groups; trade unions

other

business groups; trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vegetables, rice, fish, poultry, fruit, dairy products, pork, beef, flowers, potatoes/taros/yams, sugar cane, tea, legumes, wheat and barley

Budget

$1.48 trillion $1.704 trillion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$1.704 trillion (2015 est.)

revenues

$1.48 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.3% (31 December 2015) 0.3% (31 December 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

1.48% (31 December 2015 est.) 1.48% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$137.5 billion (2015 est.) $24.4 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$5.18 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.026 trillion (31 December 2012)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.9 (2011) 24.9 (1993)

Economy - overview

Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II 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. Scarce in many natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported raw materials. Since the complete shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors after the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil 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 impressive - a 10% average in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, after which it took a considerable time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008. 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 of that year disrupted economic activity. The economy has largely recovered in the five years since the disaster, although output in the affected areas continues to lag behind the national average. Japan enjoyed a sharp uptick in growth in 2013 on the basis of Prime Minister Shinzo ABE’s “Three Arrows” economic revitalization agenda - dubbed “Abenomics” - of monetary easing, “flexible” fiscal policy, and structural reform. In 2015, ABE revised his “Three Arrows” to raise nominal GDP by 20% to 600 trillion yen by 2020, stem population decline by raising the fertility rate, and provide more support for workers with children and aging relatives. ABE’s government has replaced the preceding administration’s plan to phase out nuclear power with a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards, and emphasizing nuclear energy’s importance as a base-load electricity source. Japan successfully restarted two nuclear reactors at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture. In October 2015, Japan and 11 trading partners reached agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a pact that promises to open Japan's economy to increased foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2015 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. While seeking to stimulate and reform the economy, the government must also devise a strategy for reining in Japan's huge government debt, which amounts to more than 230% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate to 10% by 2015, beginning with a hike from 5% to 8%, implemented in April 2014. That increase had a contractionary effect on GDP, however, so PM ABE in late 2014 decided to postpone the final phase of the increase until April 2017 to give the economy more time to recover. Led by the Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy.

Exchange rates

yen (JPY) per US dollar - 121.02 (2015 est.) 105.86 (2014 est.) 97.44 (2013 est.) 79.79 (2012 est.) 79.81 (2011 est.)

Exports

$622 billion (2015 est.) $699.1 billion (2014 est.)

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.)

Exports - partners

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

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

58.6% 20.4% 21.7% 0.3% 17.9% -18.9% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

17.9%

government consumption

20.4%

household consumption

58.6%

imports of goods and services

-18.9% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.7%

investment in inventories

0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.2% 27.5% 71.3% (2015 est.)

agriculture

1.2%

industry

27.5%

services

71.3% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,100 (2015 est.) $37,800 (2014 est.) $37,800 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.5% (2015 est.) 0% (2014 est.) 1.4% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.123 trillion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.83 trillion (2015 est.) $4.807 trillion (2014 est.) $4.809 trillion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

25.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2014 est.) 22.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 24.8% (2008)

highest 10%

24.8% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$627.3 billion (2015 est.) $799 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.)

Imports - partners

China 24.8%, US 10.5%, Australia 5.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

0.6% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2015 est.) 2.7% (2014 est.)

Labor force

65.98 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.9% 26.2% 70.9% (February 2015 est)

agriculture

2.9%

industry

26.2%

services

70.9% (February 2015 est)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.782 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.584 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $3.715 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

230% of GDP (2015 est.) 227.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.233 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.261 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$8.073 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $8.035 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.258 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.177 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$202.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $196.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$11.09 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.92 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.131 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.896 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

35.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.4% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.257 billion Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

3.433 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

4,247 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

541.6 million bbl (March, 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

934 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

64.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

7.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

15.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

313 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

980 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

131.3 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

124.7 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

4.757 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4.12 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

367,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1.067 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

3.527 million bbl/day (2015 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 users

118.453 million 93.3% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

93.3% (July 2015 est.)

total

118.453 million

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 - fixed lines

63,633,050 50 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

50 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

63,633,050

Telephones - mobile cellular

158.591 million 125 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

125 (July 2015 est.)

total

158.591 million

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

under 914 m

28 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

JA (2016)

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)

by type

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

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

National air transport system

113.762 million 8,868.745 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

8,868.745 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

113.762 million

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

627

number of registered air carriers

23

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 Kobe (2,725,304), Nagoya (2,471,821), Osaka (2,172,797), Tokyo (4,416,119), Yokohama (2,992,517) Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku

container port(s) (TEUs)

Kobe (2,725,304), Nagoya (2,471,821), Osaka (2,172,797), Tokyo (4,416,119), Yokohama (2,992,517)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

27,311 km 4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) 132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified) 124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015)

dual gauge

132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified)

narrow gauge

124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015)

standard gauge

4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified)

total

27,311 km

Roadways

1,218,772 km 992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways) 225,937 km (2015)

paved

992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways)

total

1,218,772 km

unpaved

225,937 km (2015)

Waterways

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

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

0.97% of GDP (2012) 1.01% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010)

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; the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan

Refugees and internally displaced persons

603 (2015)

stateless persons

603 (2015)