JAPAN

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

Japan consists of forty-seven prefectures.

Japanese Yen It is the third most traded currency

in the foreign exchange market after the United States

dollar and the euro. 

GovernmentJapan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of

the Emperor is very limited.

Culture of Japan

Language Japanese is written with a

combination of three scripts: hiragana, derived from the Chinese cursive script, katakana,

derived as shorthand from Chinese characters, and kanji, imported

from China.

Traditional Food

Clothes Traditional Japanese clothing distinguishes Japan from all other countries around

the world. Kimonos come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Men mainly wear darker or more muted colors, while women tend to wear brighter colors

and pastels.

Tea Ceremony Is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial

preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea.

ArchitectureJapanese architecture has as long of a history as any other aspect of

Japanese culture. Originally heavily influenced by Chinese architecture, it also develops many differences and aspects which are indigenous to Japan.

Houses

Nationwide festivalsHanami

Is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms ("sakura"). From the end of March to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan.

New Year (正月 Shōgatsu)New Year observances are the most elaborate of Japan's annual events. Homes are decorated and the holidays are celebrated by family gatherings, visits to temples or shrines, and formal calls on relatives and friends. The first day of the year (ganjitsu) is usually spent with members of the family.

Religion Japan enjoys full religious freedom and minority religions such

as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism are practiced.

EconomyJapan is the third largest national economy in the world. Japan has a large industrial capacity, and is home to

some of the largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronics, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemical substances, textiles, and processed foods