Introduction
Background
Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. The emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, but elected politicians hold the decision-making power.
Geography
Area
total: 377,915 sq km
land: 364,485 sq km
water: 13,430 sq km
Climate
varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Natural resources
negligible mineral resources, fish; note - with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is almost totally dependent on imported sources of energy
People and Society
Population
123,719,238 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Japanese 97.5%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnam 0.4%, South Korean 0.3%, other 1.2% (includes Filipino, Brazilian, Nepalese, Indonesian, American, and Taiwanese) (2022 est.)
Languages
Japanese
Religions
Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.41% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Tokyo
Executive branch
chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019); note - succeeded his father who abdicated on 30 April 2019
head of government: Prime Minister Fumio KISHIDA (since 4 October 2021)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Diet or Kokkai consists of:
House of Councillors or Sangi-in (248 seats; 148 members directly elected in multi-seat districts by simple majority vote and 100 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years)
House of Representatives or Shuugi-in (465 seats; 289 members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote and 176 directly elected in multi-seat districts by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve up to 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
fourth-largest economy; trade-oriented and highly diversified; high public debt levels; real wage declines in inflationary environment; sustained near-zero central bank rates coupled with depreciation of yen; strong rebound in tourism
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.21 trillion (2022 est.)
$5.157 trillion (2021 est.)
$5.049 trillion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$41,600 (2022 est.)
$41,000 (2021 est.)
$40,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
eggs, rice, milk, sugar beets, vegetables, poultry, potatoes, cabbages, sugar cane, pork
Industries
motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Exports
$921.212 billion (2022 est.)
$920.639 billion (2021 est.)
$794.291 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
US 19%, China 19%, Australia 10%, South Korea 7%, Taiwan 7%, Thailand 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
cars/vehicle parts, general machinery, integrated circuits, refined petroleum, construction vehicles (2022)
Imports
$1.08 trillion (2022 est.)
$942.45 billion (2021 est.)
$801.889 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 22%, US 10%, Australia 10%, Taiwan 4%, South Korea 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2022)
Exchange rates
yen (JPY) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
131.498 (2022 est.)
109.754 (2021 est.)
106.775 (2020 est.)
109.01 (2019 est.)
110.423 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
