Page created on: 28/01/2004 / Last Updated: 23/12/2006 23:33:27

Capital City:

Tokyo

Language(s):

Japanese

Religions:

Shintoism, Buddhism

Population:

127.6 Million - Male: 62165974 - Female: 65048525

Life expectancy:

Male: 77.63 years - Female: 84.41 years

Population growth:

0.11% (2003)

Geographic Location:

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Land Mass:

374,744 sq km

Terrain:

rugged and mountainous

Coastline:

29,751 km

Lowest point:

Hachiro-gata at -4 m

Highest Point:

Mount Fuji (Fuji San) 3,776m

Climate:

Various from Tropical in south to cold in the north

Natural Hazards:

Some active volcanoes, seismic activity (Earth tremours), tsunamis, typhoons

Government type:

Monarchy with Parliamentary Government

Head of State:

Emperor Akihito (Since 7th January 1989)

Prime minister:

Junichiro Koizumi (Liberal Democrat Party)

Independence:

660 BC (founded by Emperor Jimmu)

National Holidays: (2004)

Jan 01 -- New Year s Day.
Jan 12 -- Coming of Age day or Young Adults Day.
Feb 11 -- National Foundation Day.
Mar 20 -- Spring Equinox.
Apr 29 -- Nature Day.
May 03 -- Constitution Day.
May 04 -- People s Day.
May 05 -- Children s Day.
Jul 19 -- Day of the Sea or Marine Day.
Sep 20 -- Respect for the Elders Day.
Sep 23 -- Autumn Equinox.
Oct 11 -- School Sports Day.
Nov 03 -- Culture Day.
Nov 23 -- Labor Thanksgiving Day.
Dec 23 -- Emperor s Birthday.

Currency:

Yen (JPY)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

£1,996 trillion

Internet country code:

.jp

Railways:

23,168 km total

Highways:

1,161,894 km total

More information available at:

CIA Website - http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/ja.html

BBC Website - http://news.bbc.co.uk/..../country_profiles/1258586.stm