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About Japan

Learn about the basic information about Japan as well as cultural and useful travel information for Japan.

General Information

National Flag and Anthem

National Flag

Nisshoki
(also known as Hinomaru)

National Anthem

Kimi ga Yo

Learn about Japan’s flag and national anthem.
Get lyrics, sheet music and MP3s.*1

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Imperial Household

Introduction to the official duties and various public activities of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and other members of the Imperial Family.*2

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Language

Japanese

Main Religions

Shintoism, Buddhism and Christianity

Location

Japan is located west of the Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere. Japan's neighbors include the Republic of Korea, China and Russia.

Land Area

145,936
square kilometers
(56,346.20 square miles)

(as of October 1, 2016
Geospatial Information
Authority of Japan)
*3

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Number of Prefectures47

CapitalTokyo

(The population of Tokyo Metropolitan Area as of April 1, 2017 is 13,686,371, approximately 10% of Japan's total population.)

Population

126,700,000

(as of December 1,2017 Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)*4

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The Diet

House of Representatives 'Shugi-in' (465 members)*5

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House of Councillors 'Sangi-in' (242 members)*6

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Currency

Japanese Yen*7

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Judiciary

Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Summary Courts, and Family Courts

Administration

Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet, Cabinet Secretariat, 13 ministries and agencies.*8

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Main Industries

Automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, other electronics

GDP

US$4,383.6 trillion
as of 2015 (World Bank)

GDP per capita

US$34,522
as of 2015 (World Bank)

Japan is the world third-largest economy by nominal GDP *9

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as of January 1, 2018

Related Contents

Visiting Japan

Find information for your travels to Japan, including customs, visas and more.

Japanese Culture

Learn about Japanese foods, products and more.

Find your Japan

Giving birth to new ways of thinking and initiatives, bringing new values to society and culture.

Japan's Regional Charm

Showcasing the various wonders of Japan's regions through articles and videos.

e-Stat

Portal site for Japanese Government Statistics.

Japan Library

A collection of translated Japanese books on topics ranging from politics to culture.

About this site

JapanGov (https://www.japan.go.jp), the official website of the Government of Japan, provides a wealth of information on important issues such as Abenomics (Japan’s economic revitalization policy), and efforts to spread fruit of innovation and quality infrastructure worldwide. You’ll find plenty of videos, infographics, and more.
The website also features official publications including “We are Tomodachi.”
There are easy links to the sites of various government ministers and agencies as well.