JAPAN
JAPAN is an island nation located in EAST-ASIA, positioned in the northwest PACIFIC-OCEAN. It is an archipelago consisting of thousands of islands, with the five main islands being HOKKAIDO, HONSHU, SHIKOKU, KYUSHU, and OKINAWA. The capital city, TOKYO, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world.
The history of JAPAN features periods of isolation and rapid modernization. From the era of the SAMURAI and the EDO-PERIOD to the industrial boom following the MEIJI-RESTORATION, the country has maintained a distinct identity. Today, it is a global leader in TECHNOLOGY, AUTOMOTIVE-INDUSTRY, and ROBOTICS. Detailed statistics and official information are available at the Statistics Bureau of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Religious life in JAPAN is primarily defined by SHINTO and BUDDHISM. The natural landscape is celebrated for its seasonal beauty, most notably the CHERRY-BLOSSOMS in spring and the snow-capped peak of MOUNT-FUJI. Its unique culture also includes world-renowned exports such as ANIME and SUSHI.