[ In the following table, the prefectures are grouped by [[List of regions of Japan|region]]:][{{cite web|url=https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e02_regions.pdf|title=Regions of Japan|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|accessdate=January 13, 2021|archivedate=January 19, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119041311/https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e02_regions.pdf|url-status=live}}]
{|
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Regions and Prefectures of Japan 2.svg|thumb|center|upright=1.3|{{Shy|Pre|fec|tures}} of Japan with colored regions]]
|style="padding-right:1em; padding-left:2em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#EF7979}} [[Hokkaido]]
----
1. [[Hokkaido]]{{pb}}
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#EFE979}} [[Tōhoku]]
----
2. [[Aomori Prefecture|Aomori]]{{pb}}
3. [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]]{{pb}}
4. [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]]{{pb}}
5. [[Akita Prefecture|Akita]]{{pb}}
6. [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]]{{pb}}
7. [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#87EF79}} [[Kantō]]
----
8. [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]]{{pb}}
9. [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]]{{pb}}
10. [[Gunma]]{{pb}}
11. [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]{{pb}}
12. [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]]{{pb}}
13. [[Tokyo]]{{pb}}
14. [[Kanagawa]]
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#79EFDB}} [[Chūbu]]
----
15. [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]]{{pb}}
16. [[Toyama Prefecture|Toyama]]{{pb}}
17. [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]]{{pb}}
18. [[Fukui Prefecture|Fukui]]{{pb}}
19. [[Yamanashi Prefecture|Yamanashi]]{{pb}}
20. [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]]{{pb}}
21. [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]]{{pb}}
22. [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]]{{pb}}
23. [[Aichi]]
|-
|style="padding-right:1em; padding-left:2em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#9579EF}} [[Kansai]]
----
24. [[Mie Prefecture|Mie]]{{pb}}
25. [[Shiga]]{{pb}}
26. [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]]{{pb}}
27. [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]]{{pb}}
28. [[Hyōgo]]{{pb}}
29. [[Nara Prefecture|Nara]]{{pb}}
30. [[Wakayama Prefecture|Wakayama]]
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#EFB179}} [[Chūgoku]]
----
31. [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]]{{pb}}
32. [[Shimane]]{{pb}}
33. [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]]{{pb}}
34. [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]]{{pb}}
35. [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]]
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#CC79EF}} [[Shikoku]]
----
36. [[Tokushima]]{{pb}}
37. [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]]{{pb}}
38. [[Ehime]]{{pb}}
39. [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]]
|style="padding-right:1em; vertical-align:top;"|
{{color box|#B4B4B4}} [[Kyūshū]]
----
40. [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]]{{pb}}
41. [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]]{{pb}}
42. [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]]{{pb}}
43. [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]]{{pb}}
44. [[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]]{{pb}}
45. [[Miyazaki Prefecture|Miyazaki]]{{pb}}
46. [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]]{{pb}}
47. [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]
|}
{{clear}}
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Japan}}
[[File:Participation of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to the G7 Summit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Japan is a member of both the [[G7]] and the [[G20]].]]
A member state of the United Nations since 1956, Japan is one of the [[G4 nations|G4 countries]] seeking reform of the [[Security Council]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2017/html/chapter3/c030105.html|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|title=Japan's Efforts at the United Nations (UN)|work=Diplomatic Bluebook 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archivedate=February 14, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214051435/https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2017/html/chapter3/c030105.html|url-status=live}}] Japan is a member of the [[G7]], [[APEC]], and "[[ASEAN Free Trade Area#ASEAN Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]]", and is a participant in the [[East Asia Summit]].[{{cite book|url=https://www.jcie.org/researchpdfs/PacificNation/Terada.pdf|last=Terada|first=Takashi|chapter=The United States and East Asian Regionalism|title=A Pacific Nation|editor1=Borthwick, Mark|editor2=Yamamoto, Tadashi|editor2-link=Tadashi Yamamoto|year=2011|isbn=978-4-88907-133-7|publisher=Japan Center for International Exchange|archivedate=November 6, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106123037/https://www.jcie.org/researchpdfs/PacificNation/Terada.pdf|url-status=live}}] It is the world's [[List of development aid sovereign state donors|fifth-largest donor]] of [[Official Development Assistance (Japan)|official development assistance]], donating US$9.2 billion in 2014.[{{cite web|title=Statistics from the Development Co-operation Report 2015|url=http://www.oecd.org/dac/japan.htm|publisher=OECD|accessdate=November 15, 2015|archivedate=January 23, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123081241/http://www.oecd.org/dac/Japan.htm|url-status=live}}] In 2024, Japan had the [[List of countries by number of diplomatic missions|fourth-largest diplomatic network]] in the world.[{{Cite web |title=Global Diplomacy Index – Country Rank |url=https://globaldiplomacyindex.lowyinstitute.org/country_rank.html |accessdate=February 26, 2024 |publisher=[[Lowy Institute]] |archivedate=February 1, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201012801/http://globaldiplomacyindex.lowyinstitute.org/country_rank.html |url-status=dead }}] Japan is widely considered to be a [[great power]] due to its [[economic power]] and political, cultural, and military influence.[{{cite book |last1=Sterio |first1=Milena |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-QuI6n_OVMYC |title=The right to self-determination under international law: "selfistans", secession and the rule of the great powers |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-66818-7 |page=xii (preface)}}][{{cite book |first1=T.V.|last1= Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9jy28vBqscQC&pg=PA59 |title=Balance of Power: Theory and Practice in the 21st century |first2=James |last2=Wirtz |first3=Michel|last3= Fortmann |date=2004 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-5017-2 |page=59}}]
Japan has close economic and military [[Japan–United States relations|relations with the United States]], with which it maintains [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan|a security alliance]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-japan/|publisher=US Department of State|title=US Relations with Japan|date=January 21, 2020|archivedate=May 3, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503135404/https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm|url-status=live}}] The United States is a major market for Japanese exports and a major source of Japanese imports, and is committed to defending the country, with military bases in Japan.[ In 2016, Japan announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, which frames its regional policies.][{{Cite web |last2=Hosoya |first1=Nicholas |last1=Szechenyi |first2=Yuichi |title=Working Toward a Free and Open Indo-Pacific |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2019/10/working-toward-a-free-and-open-indo-pacific?lang=en |date=October 10, 2019 |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |archivedate=October 29, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029041716/https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/10/10/working-toward-free-and-open-indo-pacific-pub-80023 |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |title=Achieving the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)' Vision: Japan Ministry of Defense's Approach |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/exc/india_pacific/india_pacific-en.html |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defence |archivedate=May 8, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508095151/https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/exc/india_pacific/india_pacific-en.html |url-status=live }}] Japan is also a member of the [[Quadrilateral Security Dialogue]] ("the Quad"), a multilateral security dialogue reformed in 2017 aiming to limit Chinese influence in the [[Indo-Pacific]] region, along with the United States, Australia, and India.[{{Cite report |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep17325 |title=Japan, the Indo-Pacific, and the "Quad" |last=Chanlett-Avery |first=Emma |date=2018 |publisher=Chicago Council on Global Affairs }}][{{Cite web |title=The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: What to Know |first=Sheila A. |last=Smith |date=May 27, 2021 |url=https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/quad-indo-pacific-what-know |accessdate=January 26, 2022 |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |archivedate=May 3, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503162143/https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/quad-indo-pacific-what-know |url-status=live }}]
Japan is engaged in several territorial disputes with its neighbors. It contests Russia's control of the [[Kuril Islands dispute|Southern Kuril Islands]], which were occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945.[{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/index.html|title=Japanese Territory, Northern Territories|date=April 4, 2014|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]|archivedate=June 26, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626202149/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/index.html|url-status=live}}] South Korea's control of the [[Liancourt Rocks]] is acknowledged but not accepted as they are claimed by Japan.[{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html|title=Japanese Territory, Takeshima|date=July 30, 2014|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|archivedate=June 13, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613022420/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html|url-status=live}}] Japan's relations with China are marked by both deep economic ties as well as tensions over Taiwan, security, and the [[Senkaku Islands]].[{{cite journal|doi=10.1177/0920203X16665778|date=September 2016|title=The Senkaku Shoto/Diaoyu Islands and Okinotorishima disputes: Ideational and material influences|last=Fox|first=Senan|journal=China Information|volume=30|issue=3|pages=312–333}}][{{Cite news |last=Gale |first=Alastair |last2=Mayger |first2=James |last3=Liu |first3=Lucille |date=January 8, 2026 |title=How Rare Earths Raise the Stakes in China-Japan Spat |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-08/what-s-behind-china-japan-tensions-how-are-rare-earths-travel-trade-affected |work=[[Bloomberg News]]}}]
===Military===
{{Main|Japan Self-Defense Forces}}
[[File:US Navy 051115-N-8492C-125 The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JDS Kongou (DDG 173) sails in formation with other JMSDF ships and ships assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group.jpg|thumb|[[Kongō-class destroyer|{{transliteration|ja|Kongō}}-class destroyer]] of the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]]]
Japan is the second highest-ranked Asian country in the 2025 [[Global Peace Index]].[{{Cite web |title=2025 Global Peace Index|url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GPI-2025-web.pdf|publisher=[[Institute for Economics & Peace]]|publication-date=June 2025}}] It spent 1.4% of its total GDP on [[Military budget of Japan|its defense budget]] and maintained the [[List of countries by military expenditures|tenth-largest military budget]] in the world in 2025.[{{Cite web |date=April 2026|title=Trends in Military Expenditure 2025|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/2604_milex_2025.pdf#page=2|publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}] The country's military, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), is restricted by [[Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution]], which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes.[{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/japan-constitution/article9.php|publisher=Library of Congress|title=Japan: Article 9 of the Constitution|date=February 2006|archivedate=November 13, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113230055/https://www.loc.gov/law/help/japan-constitution/article9.php|url-status=live}}] The military is governed by the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Ministry of Defense]], and primarily consists of the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]], the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]], and the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]]. The [[Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group|deployment of troops to Iraq]] and Afghanistan marked the first overseas use of Japan's military since World War II.[{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/japan-and-its-military|last=Teslik|first=Lee Hudson|date=April 13, 2006|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|title=Japan and its military|archivedate=November 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193330/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/japan-and-its-military|url-status=live}}]
The [[Government of Japan]] has been making changes to its security policy which include the establishment of the [[National Security Council (Japan)|National Security Council]], the adoption of the National Security Strategy, and the development of the National Defense Program Guidelines.[{{cite news|title= Japan's Security Policy|publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|url= http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/security/|date= April 6, 2016|archivedate= January 28, 2015|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132310/http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/security/|url-status= live}}] In 2015, the Japanese parliament passed the [[Legislation for Peace and Security]], allowing the JSDF to participate in foreign conflicts in an "existential crisis situation".[{{Cite journal |last=Kurosaki|first=Masahiro|date=January 18, 2023|title=Japan's Evolving Position on the Use of Force in Collective Self-Defense|url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/japans-evolving-position-use-force-collective-self-defense|journal=Lawfare}}] In December 2022, Prime Minister [[Fumio Kishida]] instructed the government to increase spending by 65% until 2027.[{{Cite web |last=Liff |first=Adam P. |date=May 22, 2023 |title=No, Japan is not planning to 'double its defense budget' |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/22/no-japan-is-not-planning-to-double-its-defense-budget/ |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]|archivedate=May 23, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523074432/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/22/no-japan-is-not-planning-to-double-its-defense-budget/ |url-status=live }}] Recent tensions, particularly with North Korea and China, have reignited the debate over the status of the JSDF and its relation to Japanese society.[{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/japan-dealing-with-north-koreas-growing-missile-threat/|work=The Diplomat|last=Yoji|first=Koda|date=September 18, 2020|title=Japan: Dealing with North Korea's Growing Missile Threat|archivedate=November 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111164739/https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/japan-dealing-with-north-koreas-growing-missile-threat/|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-china-military-provocations-revival-disputed-islands-pacifism-11594735596|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=China Provocations Hasten Japan's Military Revival|last1=Gale|first1=Alastair|last2=Tsuneoka|first2=Chieko|date=July 14, 2020|archivedate=November 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111145238/https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-china-military-provocations-revival-disputed-islands-pacifism-11594735596|url-status=live}}]
===Law enforcement===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Japan|Law of Japan}}
[[File:警視庁 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|The headquarters of the [[Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department]]]]
Domestic security in Japan is provided mainly by the [[prefectural police department]]s, under the oversight of the [[National Police Agency (Japan)|National Police Agency]].[{{Cite web|publisher=Supreme Court of Japan|year=2005|title=Who will conduct the investigation?|url=http://www.courts.go.jp/saiban/qa_keizi/qa_keizi_09/index.html|accessdate=November 1, 2018|archivedate=September 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924211451/http://www.courts.go.jp/saiban/qa_keizi/qa_keizi_09/index.html|url-status=live}}] As the central coordinating body for the Prefectural Police Departments, the National Police Agency is administered by the [[National Public Safety Commission (Japan)|National Public Safety Commission]].[{{Cite book|editor=National Police Agency Police History Compilation Committee|year=1977|title=Japan post-war police history|publisher=[[:ja:警察協会|Japan Police Support Association]]|language=Japanese}}] The [[Special Assault Team]] comprises national-level [[counter-terrorism]] tactical units that cooperate with territorial-level [[Riot Police Unit#Specialist squads|Anti-Firearms Squads and Counter-NBC Terrorism Squads]].[{{cite web|url=http://www.npa.go.jp/english/kokusai9/White_Paper_2009_7.pdf|title=Chapter IV. Maintenance of Public Safety and Disaster Countermeasures|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323151825/https://www.npa.go.jp/english/kokusai9/White_Paper_2009_7.pdf|accessdate=March 25, 2011|archivedate=March 23, 2011|publisher=[[Japanese National Police Agency]]|url-status=dead}}] The [[Japan Coast Guard]] guards territorial waters surrounding Japan and uses surveillance and control countermeasures against smuggling, marine [[environmental crime]], poaching, piracy, spy ships, unauthorized foreign fishing vessels, and illegal immigration.[{{cite web|url=https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/e/image/15_b%20of%20jcg.pdf|title=Japan Coast Guard|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708235951/https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/e/image/15_b%20of%20jcg.pdf|accessdate=July 8, 2019|archivedate=July 8, 2019|publisher=[[Japan Coast Guard]]|url-status=live}}]
The [[Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law]] strictly regulates the civilian ownership of guns, swords, and other weaponry.[{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/11/29/national/diet-tightens-laws-on-knives-guns/#.XS9faShKi01|title=Diet tightens laws on knives, guns|date=November 29, 2008|work=The Japan Times|archivedate=April 13, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413233016/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/11/29/national/diet-tightens-laws-on-knives-guns/#.XS9faShKi01|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/|title=A Land Without Guns: How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths|date=July 23, 2012|first=Max|last=Fisher|work=[[The Atlantic]]|archivedate=December 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216014947/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/|url-status=live}}] According to the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]], among the member states of the UN that report statistics {{as of|2018|lc=y}}, the incidence rates of violent crimes such as murder, abduction, sexual violence, and robbery are very low in Japan.[{{Cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Victims of intentional homicide, 1990–2018|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/content/data/homicide/homicide-rate|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=March 28, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328012947/https://dataunodc.un.org/content/data/homicide/homicide-rate|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/kidnapping|title=Kidnapping: 2018|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=October 21, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021235926/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/kidnapping|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Sexual violence|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/sexual-violence|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=November 7, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107001709/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/sexual-violence|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|publisher=UNODC|title=Robbery: 2018|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/Robbery|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=November 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111163831/https://dataunodc.un.org/data/crime/Robbery|url-status=live}}]
=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Japan}}
Japanese society traditionally places a strong emphasis on [[Wa (Japanese culture)|collective harmony]] and [[Collectivism|conformity]], which has led to the suppression of [[individual rights]].[{{cite journal | last=Matsui | first=Shigenori | title=Fundamental Human Rights and 'Traditional Japanese Values': Constitutional Amendment and Vision of the Japanese Society | journal=Asian Journal of Comparative Law | volume=13 | issue=1 | date=February 22, 2018 | doi=10.1017/asjcl.2017.25 | doi-access=free | pages=59–86}}] [[Constitution of Japan|Japan's constitution]] prohibits racial and religious discrimination,[{{Cite web |title=Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination started consideration of the initial and second periodic reports of Japan |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-started-consideration-initial |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |archivedate=May 8, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508101622/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-started-consideration-initial |url-status=live }}][{{Cite wikisource|title=Constitution of Japan|wslanguage=en}}] and the country is a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties.[{{cite web |title=Japan Strengthening Its Presence in the International Community|work=Diplomatic Bluebook | publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan | url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2021/en_html/chapter4/c040207.html | year=2021}}] However, it lacks any laws against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity and does not have a national human rights institution.[{{cite book | author=Human Rights Watch | title=World Report 2024: Events of 2023 | publisher=Seven Stories Press | year=2024 | isbn=978-1-64421-338-4 | url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=HjrBEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT425| page=425}}]
Japan has faced criticism for [[Gender inequality in Japan|its gender inequality]],[{{cite journal | last=Iida | first=Aki | title=Gender inequality in Japan: The status of women, and their promotion in the workplace | journal=Corvinus Journal of International Affairs | volume=3 | issue=3 | year=2018 | doi=10.14267/cojourn.2018v3n3a5 | doi-access=free | pages=43–52}}] [[Same-sex marriage in Japan|not allowing same-sex marriages]],[{{cite web | last=Shiraishi | first2=Frances|last2= Mao |first1=Sakiko | title=Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts | publisher=BBC | date=March 14, 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68561968}}] use of [[racial profiling]] by police,[{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Racial profiling, discrimination in Japan far more serious than stats reported by police |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221217/p2a/00m/0na/010000c |work=Mainichi Daily News |archivedate=May 8, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508101627/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221217/p2a/00m/0na/010000c |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |title=2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Japan |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/japan/ |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=U.S. Department of State |archivedate=September 24, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924171500/https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/japan/ |url-status=live }}] and [[Capital punishment in Japan|allowing capital punishment]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa22/006/2006/en/|title=Japan: 'Will this day be my last?' The death penalty in Japan|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|date=July 6, 2006|archivedate=August 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822003923/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa22/006/2006/en/|url-status=live}}] Other human rights issues include the treatment of marginalized groups, such as [[Racism in Japan|ethnic minorities]],[{{cite web | title=Japan: Long-standing discrimination unchanged |publisher=Amnesty International | url=https://www.amnesty.org/es/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ASA2257602022ENGLISH.pdf |year=2023}}] [[Immigration to Japan#Refugees and asylum seekers|refugees and asylum seekers]].[{{cite web | title=Japan's new deportation rule for asylum seekers raises rights concerns | website=Nikkei Asia | date=June 10, 2024 | url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-s-new-deportation-rule-for-asylum-seekers-raises-rights-concerns | archivedate=October 27, 2024 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241027044759/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-s-new-deportation-rule-for-asylum-seekers-raises-rights-concerns | url-status=live }}]
==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Japan}}
[[File:Nakanoshima Skyscrapers in 201504 001.jpg|thumb|Skyscrapers in [[Nakanoshima]], Osaka; a major [[financial center]] in Japan]]
Japan has the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP]], after that of the United States, China and Germany; and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP]].[{{cite web |date=April 22, 2025 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/April/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=NGDPD,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]}}] {{As of|2023}}, [[Labor market of Japan|Japan's labor force]] is the world's [[List of countries by labour force|tenth-largest]], consisting of over 69.2 million workers.[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP|title=Unemployment, total (% of the total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): Japan|publisher=[[World Bank]]|accessdate=July 31, 2022|archivedate=July 31, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125918/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}] [[Poverty in Japan|Its poverty rate]] is the second highest among the G7 countries,[{{cite web|last1=Komiya|first1=Kantaro|last2=Kihara|first2=Leiha|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-confronts-rising-inequality-after-abenomics-2021-10-12/|title=Japan confronts rising inequality after Abenomics|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=October 31, 2021|archivedate=July 31, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125918/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-confronts-rising-inequality-after-abenomics-2021-10-12/|url-status=live}}] and exceeds 15.7% of the population.[{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/03/japans-middle-class-is-disappearing-as-poverty-rises-warns-economist.html|title=Japan's middle class is 'disappearing' as poverty rises, warns economist|date=July 2, 2020|publisher=[[CNBC]]|last=Huang|first=Eustance|archivedate=July 31, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125917/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/03/japans-middle-class-is-disappearing-as-poverty-rises-warns-economist.html|url-status=live}}] Japan has the highest ratio of public debt to GDP among advanced economies,[{{cite journal|last1=Ímrohoroğlu|first1=Selahattin|last2=Kitao|first2=Sagiri|last3=Yamada|first3=Tomoaki|title=Achieving fiscal balance in Japan|volume=57|number=1|pages=117–154|journal=[[International Economic Review]]|date=February 2016|doi=10.1111/iere.12150|jstor=44075341}}] with [[National debt of Japan|a national debt]] estimated at 237% relative to GDP {{as of|2026|lc=y}}.[{{Cite news |last=Keohane |first=David |last2=Lewis |first2=Leo |date=February 15, 2026 |title=Trade or trap? Japan investors bet on Takaichi after landslide |url=https://www.ft.com/content/29c46363-9d8f-42f7-8805-f9995e0eadad|work=[[Financial Times]]|archivedate=February 15, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215122036/https://www.ft.com/content/29c46363-9d8f-42f7-8805-f9995e0eadad |url-status=live}}] The [[Japanese yen]] is the world's third-largest [[reserve currency]] after the US dollar and the euro.[{{cite web|title=Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserve|publisher=IMF|url=https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175|accessdate=October 10, 2021|archivedate=May 12, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512202858/https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175|url-status=live}}]
In 2024, Japan was the world's [[List of countries by exports|eight-largest exporter]][{{cite web |title=List of importing markets for the product exported by Japan in 2022 |url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c392%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c2%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410225438/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C392%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C2%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1 |archivedate=April 10, 2023 |accessdate=August 11, 2023 |publisher=[[International Trade Centre]]}}] and [[List of countries by imports|sixth-largest importer]].[{{cite web |title=List of supplying markets for the product imported by Japan in 2022 |url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c392%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410225448/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C392%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1 |archivedate=April 10, 2023 |accessdate=August 11, 2023 |publisher=[[International Trade Centre]]}}] Its exports amounted to 22.8% of its total GDP in 2024.[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS?locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|title=Exports of goods and services (% of GDP): Japan|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=November 30, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130064945/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}] In 2025, [[List of the largest trading partners of Japan|Japan's main export markets]] were China (22.8%, including Hong Kong) and the United States (18.5%).[{{cite web |title=Japanese Trade and Investment Statistics |url=https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/statistics/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301094344/https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/statistics/ |archivedate=March 1, 2021 |accessdate=March 3, 2021 |publisher=[[Japan External Trade Organization]]}}] [[List of exports of Japan|Its main exports]] are motor vehicles, iron and steel products, semiconductors, and auto parts.[{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/|title=World Factbook: Japan|publisher=CIA|accessdate=September 24, 2022|archivedate=January 5, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105105736/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/|url-status=dead}}] Japan's main import markets in 2025 were China (23.8%) and the United States (11.4%).[{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0,3343,en_2649_34111_40353553_1_1_1_1,00.html|title=Economic survey of Japan 2008|publisher=[[OECD]]|accessdate=August 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109122744/http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0%2C3343%2Cen_2649_34111_40353553_1_1_1_1%2C00.html|archivedate=November 9, 2010 }}][{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2006/07/20/free-at-last|title=Japan's Economy: Free at last|newspaper=The Economist|date=July 20, 2006|archivedate=April 30, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430001614/http://www.economist.com/node/7193984?story_id=7193984|url-status=live}}] Japan has a large [[cooperative]] sector, with three of the world's ten largest cooperatives, including the largest [[consumer cooperative]] and the largest [[agricultural cooperative]] {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.[{{cite web|url=https://www.ica.coop/sites/default/files/publication-files/wcm2018-printx50-227290600.pdf|title=The 2018 World Cooperative Monitor: Exploring the Cooperative Economy|date=October 2018|publisher=[[International Co-operative Alliance]]|archivedate=February 2, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042643/https://www.ica.coop/sites/default/files/publication-files/wcm2018-printx50-227290600.pdf|url-status=live}}] It [[International rankings of Japan#Economy|ranks highly]] for [[Competition (companies)|competitiveness]] and [[economic freedom]]. The country attracted 36.9 million international tourists in 2024,[{{Cite web|url=https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/#graph--inbound--travelers--transition|title=Trends in the Visitor Arrivals to Japan by Year|publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization|accessdate=December 11, 2020|archivedate=November 26, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126123636/https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/#graph--inbound--travelers--transition|url-status=live}}] and was [[World Tourism rankings|ranked eleventh]] in the world in 2019 for [[Inbound tourism (Japan)|inbound tourism]].[{{cite journal|date=August–September 2020|title=Statistical Annex|journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer|volume=18|issue=5|page=18|doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.5|doi-access=free}}] The 2024 ''[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report]]'' ranked Japan third in the world.[{{cite web |date=May 2024 |title=The Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_and_Tourism_Development_Index_2024.pdf |accessdate=July 24, 2025 |publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]|archivedate=July 23, 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723005418/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_and_Tourism_Development_Index_2024.pdf |url-status=live}}] Its international tourism receipts in 2019 amounted to $46.1 billion.[ Only 11.2% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation.][{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.ARBL.ZS|title=Arable land (% of land area)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=November 7, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107201125/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.ARBL.ZS|url-status=live}}] Because of this lack of arable land, a system of [[Terrace (earthworks)|terraces]] is used to farm in small areas.[{{cite web|url=http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/the-people-who-sustain-japans-historic-terraced-rice-fields|title=Urbanites Help Sustain Japan's Historic Rice Paddy Terraces|website=Our World|date=May 22, 2012|author1=Nagata, Akira|author2=Chen, Bixia|archivedate=September 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924164244/http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/the-people-who-sustain-japans-historic-terraced-rice-fields|url-status=live}}] This results in one of the world's highest levels of crop yields per unit area, with an agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 50% {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.[{{cite journal|title=The spatial patterns in long-term temporal trends of three major crops' yields in Japan|doi=10.1080/1343943X.2018.1459752|year=2018|volume=21|last=Chen|first=Hungyen|journal=Plant Production Science|issue=3|pages=177–185|doi-access=free}}] Japan's small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and [[Agricultural Protectionism in Japan|protected]].[{{cite web|work=Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation|title=Japan: Support to agriculture|year=2020|publisher=OECD|accessdate=November 11, 2020|url=https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/751935f0-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/751935f0-en|archivedate=June 20, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620151745/https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/751935f0-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/751935f0-en|url-status=live}}] There has been a growing concern about farming as farmers are aging with a difficult time finding successors.[{{cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/12/31/grown-from-necessity-vertical-farming-takes-off-in-ageing-japan.html|title=Grown from necessity: Vertical farming takes off in aging Japan|last=Nishimura|first=Karyn|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=January 1, 2020|website=The Jakarta Post|archivedate=February 5, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205084025/https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/12/31/grown-from-necessity-vertical-farming-takes-off-in-ageing-japan.html|url-status=live}}]
Japan ranked seventh in the world in [[fishing industry by country|tonnage of fish caught]] and captured 3,167,610 metric tons of fish in 2016, down from an annual average of 4,000,000 tons over the previous decade.[{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/i9540en/i9540en.pdf|title=The state of world fisheries and aquaculture|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization|date=2018|accessdate=May 25, 2020|archivedate=February 11, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211011147/http://www.fao.org/3/I9540EN/i9540en.pdf|url-status=live}}] Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch,[{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/24/japan-criticised-exceed-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quota|newspaper=The Guardian|last=McCurry|first=Justin|title=Japan to exceed bluefin tuna quota amid warnings of commercial extinction|date=April 24, 2017|archivedate=November 12, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024926/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/24/japan-criticised-exceed-bluefin-tuna-fishing-quota|url-status=live}}] Japan has sparked controversy by supporting commercial [[whaling in Japan|whaling]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48821797|work=BBC News|title=Japan resumes commercial whaling after 30 years|date=July 1, 2019|archivedate=November 12, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020054/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48821797|url-status=live}}]
===Industry and services ===
{{Main|Manufacturing in Japan|Trade and services in Japan|Electronics industry in Japan|Automotive industry in Japan}}
[[File:2018 Nissan GT-R Premium in Super Silver, Front Right, 10-11-2022.jpg|thumb|The [[Nissan GT-R]], a [[sports car]] manufactured by [[Nissan]]. Japan is the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|third-largest producer of motor vehicles]] in the world.[ The country's manufacturing output is the [[List of countries by manufacturing output|third highest]] in the world {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}.][{{Cite web|title=Manufacturing, value added (current US$)|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|accessdate=March 17, 2020|publisher=World Bank|archivedate=January 7, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107135049/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|url-status=live}}]
Japan is in the top three globally for both automobile production[{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=2022 Production Statistics |url=https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2022-statistics/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408125523/https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2022-statistics/ |archivedate=April 8, 2023 |accessdate=May 22, 2023 |website= |publisher=OICA}}] and export,[{{cite web |last1=He |first1=Laura |last2=Semans |first2=Himari |date=February 2, 2024 |title=Is China now the world's top car exporter? It's complicated |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/cars/japan-china-top-car-exporter-data-intl-hnk/index.html |publisher=CNN|archivedate=July 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727181315/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/cars/japan-china-top-car-exporter-data-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |title=Cars |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/cars |accessdate=July 27, 2024 |website=The Observatory of Economic Complexity |archivedate=July 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727191625/https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/cars |url-status=live }}] and is home to [[Toyota]], the world's [[List of manufacturers by motor vehicle production|largest automobile company by production]]. The Japanese shipbuilding industry faces increasing competition from its East Asian neighbors, South Korea and China; a 2020 government initiative identified this sector as a target for increasing exports.[{{cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/japan-targets-to-export-more-ships-revive-global-market-share/|website=Japan Forward|title=Japan Targets to Export More Ships, Revive Global Market Share|last=Okada|first=Mizuki|date=September 5, 2020|archivedate=January 23, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123140851/https://japan-forward.com/japan-targets-to-export-more-ships-revive-global-market-share/|url-status=live}}]
Once considered the strongest in the world, the [[Japanese consumer electronics industry]] is in a state of decline as regional competition arises in neighboring East Asian countries such as South Korea and China.[{{cite web |last=Pham |first=Sherisse |date=May 4, 2017 |title=How things got ugly for some of Japan's biggest brands |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/04/technology/japanese-companies-fall-toshiba-olympus-sanyo-sharp/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204154837/https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/04/technology/japanese-companies-fall-toshiba-olympus-sanyo-sharp/index.html |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |website=CNN Money}}] However, [[Video games in Japan|Japan's video game sector]] remains a major industry; in 2014, Japan's consumer video game market grossed $9.6 billion, with $5.8 billion coming from mobile gaming.[{{cite web |last=Nutt |first=Christian |date=June 19, 2015 |title=Japan's game market hits record high as consoles decline and mobile grows |url=http://gamasutra.com/view/news/246644/Japans_game_market_hits_record_high_as_consoles_decline_and_mobile_grows.php |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173536/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/246644/Japans_game_market_hits_record_high_as_consoles_decline_and_mobile_grows.php |archivedate=September 22, 2018 |website=Gamasutra}}] By 2015, Japan had become the world's [[List of video games markets by country|fourth-largest]] [[PC game]] market by revenue, behind [[Video games in China|China]], the [[Video games in the United States|United States]], and [[Video games in South Korea|South Korea]].[{{cite web |date=August 2, 2016 |title=PC games revenue to hit $42 billion in 2020 – DFC |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-08-02-pc-games-revenue-to-hit-usd42-billion-in-2020-dfc |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210180401/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-08-02-pc-games-revenue-to-hit-usd42-billion-in-2020-dfc |archivedate=February 10, 2022 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}]
Japan's service sector accounts for about 69.8% of its total economic output {{as of|2023|lc=y}}.[{{cite web |title=Services, value added (% of GDP) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.SRV.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP |accessdate=November 11, 2020 |publisher=World Bank |archivedate=May 16, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516063109/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.SRV.TOTL.ZS?locations=JP |url-status=live }}] [[Banking in Japan|Banking]], retail, [[transportation in Japan|transportation]], and [[Telecommunications in Japan|telecommunications]] are all major industries, with companies such as Toyota, [[Honda]], [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]], [[Mitsubishi UFJ]], [[Nippon Telegraph and Telephone|NTT]], [[Aeon (company)|Aeon]], [[SoftBank]], [[Hitachi]], [[Mitsui]], and [[Itochu]] listed as among the largest in the world.[{{cite news|url=https://fortune.com/global500/2020/search/?fg500_country=Japan&non-us-cos-y-n=true|title=Fortune Global 500|accessdate=November 11, 2020|website=Fortune|archivedate=November 17, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117130030/https://fortune.com/global500/2020/search/?fg500_country=Japan&non-us-cos-y-n=true|url-status=live}}][{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/global2000/#2cb352db335d|title=The World's Largest Public Companies|work=Forbes|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=December 21, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221222151/http://www.forbes.com/global2000/#2cb352db335d|url-status=live}}]
===Science and technology===
{{Main|Science and technology in Japan}}
[[File:Kibo PM and ELM-PS.jpg|thumb|The [[Japanese Experiment Module]] ({{transliteration|ja|Kibō}}) at the [[International Space Station]]]]
Relative to gross domestic product, [[Research and development in Japan|Japan's research and development]] budget is the [[List of sovereign states by research and development spending|sixth or seventh highest]] in the world,[{{cite web|url=http://uis.unesco.org/apps/visualisations/research-and-development-spending/|publisher=UNESCO|title=How much does your country invest in R&D?|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=January 23, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123180417/http://uis.unesco.org/apps/visualisations/research-and-development-spending/|url-status=live}}] with 907,400 researchers sharing a 22-trillion-yen research and development budget {{as of|2023|lc=y}}.[{{Cite web |title=Statistics Bureau Home Page/Survey of Research and Development/Summary of Results (2024) |url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kagaku/1551.html |accessdate=July 24, 2025|publisher=Statistics Bureau}}] Japan has the second highest number of researchers in science and technology per capita in the world with 14 per 1000 employees.[{{cite web |title=Science, technology, and innovation: Researchers by sex, per million inhabitants, per thousand labour force, per thousand total employment (FTE and HC) |url=http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=64 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205173957/http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=64 |archivedate=December 5, 2020 |accessdate=November 11, 2020 |publisher=UNESCO}}] The country has produced twenty-two [[Nobel Prize|Nobel laureates]] in either physics, chemistry or medicine,[{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/lists/all-nobel-prizes/|publisher=Nobel Foundation|title=All Nobel Prizes|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=August 13, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813202249/https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/all/|url-status=live}}] and three [[Fields Medal|Fields medalists]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|publisher=International Mathematical Union|title=Fields Medal|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=December 26, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226015744/https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|url-status=live}}]
Japan is a leading [[Japanese robotics|robotics]] producer, supplying 38% of the world's 2024 total,[{{Cite web |last=Takki |first=Karri |date=September 25, 2024 |title=Global Robotics Market Surges: Comprehensive Analysis of IFR World Robotics Report 2024 |url=https://statzon.com/insights/global-robotics-market-surges-comprehensive-analysis-of-ifr-world-robotics-report-2024 |accessdate=July 25, 2025 |website=Statzon}}] down from 55% in 2017.[{{cite web|url=https://ifr.org/post/why-japan-leads-industrial-robot-production|title=Why Japan leads industrial robot production|publisher=International Federation of Robotics|date=December 17, 2018|last=Fujiwara|first=Hiroshi|archivedate=November 12, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112002714/https://ifr.org/post/why-japan-leads-industrial-robot-production|url-status=live}}]
The [[Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]] is Japan's national [[space agency]]; it conducts space, planetary, and aviation research, and leads development of rockets and satellites.[{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/22672-japan-aerospace-exploration-agency.html|website=Space|first=Elizabeth|last=Howell|date=May 19, 2016|title=JAXA: Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency|archivedate=November 11, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111105102/https://www.space.com/22672-japan-aerospace-exploration-agency.html|url-status=live}}] It is a participant in the [[International Space Station]]: the [[Japanese Experiment Module]] ({{transliteration|ja|Kibō}}) was added to the station during [[Space Shuttle]] assembly flights in 2008.[{{cite web|title=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Homepage|publisher=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency|date=August 3, 2006|url=http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321160909/http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html|archivedate=March 21, 2007}}] The [[space probe]] ''[[Akatsuki (spacecraft)|Akatsuki]]'' was launched in 2010 and achieved orbit around Venus in 2015.[{{cite web|url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/akatsuki/in-depth/|publisher=NASA|title=Akatsuki|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=November 12, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195838/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/akatsuki/in-depth/|url-status=live}}] Japan's plans in [[space exploration]] include building a [[colonization of the Moon|Moon base]] and landing astronauts by 2030.[{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/japan-robots-build-moon-base.html|first=Elizabeth|last=Howell|date=April 7, 2019|website=Space|title=Can Robots Build a Moon Base for Astronauts? Japan Hopes to Find Out|archivedate=November 7, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232039/https://www.space.com/japan-robots-build-moon-base.html|url-status=live}}] In 2007, it launched lunar explorer [[SELENE]] (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) from [[Tanegashima Space Center]]. The largest lunar mission since the [[Apollo program]], its purpose was to gather data on the [[Moon#Formation|Moon's origin and evolution]]. The explorer entered a lunar orbit on October 4, 2007,[{{cite web|url=http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=15429|title=Japan Successfully Launches Lunar Explorer 'Kaguya'|publisher=Japan Corporate News Network|date=September 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430010519/http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=15429|archivedate=April 30, 2011}}][{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm|title=Japan launches first lunar probe|work=BBC News|date=September 14, 2007|archivedate=May 11, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511101523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm|url-status=live}}] and was deliberately crashed into the Moon on June 11, 2009.[{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094863.stm|title=Japanese probe crashes into Moon|work=BBC News|date=June 11, 2009|archivedate=September 30, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930160652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094863.stm|url-status=live}}]
==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
{{Main|Transport in Japan}}
[[File:Japan Airlines, Boeing 787-9 JA861J NRT (19455285040).jpg|thumb|[[Japan Airlines]], the [[flag carrier]] of Japan]]
Japan has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure since the 1990s.[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19893379|work=BBC News|last=Wingfield-Hayes|first=Rupert|title=Japan's high-spending legacy|date=October 10, 2012|archivedate=August 9, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809172340/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19893379|url-status=live}}] The country has approximately {{convert|comma=5|1200000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of roads made up of {{convert|comma=5|1000000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of city, town, and village roads, {{convert|comma=5|130000|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of prefectural roads, {{convert|comma=5|54736|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of general national highways, and {{convert|comma=5|7641|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of [[Expressways of Japan|national expressways]] {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.[{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s12544-017-0255-7|title=Japan's transport planning at the national level, natural disasters, and their interplays|year=2017|journal=European Transport Research Review|last=Shibayama|first=Takeru|volume=9|issue=3|doi-access=free}}]
Since privatization in 1987,[{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/04/04/editorials/privatization-jnr-30-years/|website=The Japan Times|date=April 4, 2017|title=Privatization of JNR, 30 years on|archivedate=April 4, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404110226/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/04/04/editorials/privatization-jnr-30-years/|url-status=live}}] [[List of railway companies in Japan|dozens of Japanese railway companies]] compete in regional and local passenger transportation markets; major companies include seven [[Japan Railways Group|JR]] enterprises, [[Kintetsu Railway|Kintetsu]], [[Seibu Railway]] and [[Keio Corporation]]. The high-speed [[Shinkansen]] (bullet trains) that connect major cities are known for their safety and punctuality.[{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/can-japan-s-bullet-trains-get-back-up-to-speed|publisher=Bloomberg|date=October 7, 2020|last=Sieloff|first=Sarah|title=Japan's Bullet Trains Are Hitting a Speed Bump|archivedate=October 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008005117/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/can-japan-s-bullet-trains-get-back-up-to-speed|url-status=live}}]
There are [[List of airports in Japan|280 airports in Japan]] {{as of|2025|lc=y}}.[{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-busiest-airports-2019/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=April 22, 2019|last=Falcus|first=Matt|title=Asia's 9 busiest airports in 2019|archivedate=April 22, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422235856/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-busiest-airports-2019/index.html|url-status=live}}] The Keihin and Hanshin superport hubs are among the largest in the world, at 7.98 and 5.22 million [[twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEU]] respectively {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.[{{cite web|url=https://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports|publisher=World Shipping Council|title=Top 50 World Container Ports|accessdate=November 16, 2020|archivedate=November 19, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119000412/https://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports|url-status=dead}}]
===Energy===
{{Main|Energy in Japan}}
[[File:Wind turbines lined up along the coast of Katagami City 20221025.jpg|thumb|right|Wind turbines at [[Katagami, Akita|Katagami]], in [[Akita Prefecture]]]]
{{As of|2019}}, 37.1% of energy in Japan is produced from petroleum, 25.1% from coal, 22.4% from [[natural gas]], 3.5% from [[hydropower]] and 2.8% from [[Nuclear power in Japan|nuclear power]], among other sources. Nuclear power was down from 11.2% in 2010.[{{cite report|title=Statistical Handbook of Japan 2021|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.html|section=Chapter 7: Energy – 1. Supply and Demand|section-url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/pdf/2021all.pdf#page=93|pp=77, 79|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|accessdate=January 8, 2021|archivedate=January 20, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120232017/http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.html|url-status=live}}] By May 2012 all of [[List of nuclear power plants in Japan|the country's nuclear power plants]] had been taken offline because of ongoing public opposition following the [[Fukushima nuclear accident]] in March 2011, though government officials continued to try to sway public opinion in favor of returning at least some to service.[{{cite news|last=Tsukimori|first=Osamu|title=Japan nuclear power-free as last reactor shuts|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nuclear-japan-idUSBRE84405820120505|publisher=Reuters|date=May 5, 2012|archivedate=September 24, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163821/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/05/us-nuclear-japan-idUSBRE84405820120505|url-status=live}}] The [[Sendai Nuclear Power Plant]] restarted in 2015,[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-33858628|title=Nuclear power back in Japan for the first time since Fukushima|work=BBC News|date=August 11, 2015|archivedate=August 1, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801113235/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-33858628/nuclear-power-back-in-japan-for-first-time-since-fukushima|url-status=live}}] and since then several other nuclear power plants have been restarted.[{{cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsmixed-progress-for-japans-nuclear-plant-restarts-7887062|work=Nuclear Engineering International|date=April 23, 2020|title=Mixed progress for Japan's nuclear plant restarts|archivedate=June 9, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609023614/https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsmixed-progress-for-japans-nuclear-plant-restarts-7887062|url-status=live}}] Japan lacks significant domestic reserves and has a heavy dependence on [[List of countries by oil imports|imported energy]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A-Review-of-the-Evolution-of-the-Japanese-Oil-Industry-Oil-Policy-and-its-Relationship-with-the-Middle-East-WPM-76.pdf|pages=5–12|title=A Review of the Evolution of the Japanese Oil Industry, Oil Policy and its Relationship with the Middle East|date=April 2018|publisher=Oxford Institute for Energy Studies|last=Thorarinsson|first=Loftur|archivedate=April 10, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410013607/https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A-Review-of-the-Evolution-of-the-Japanese-Oil-Industry-Oil-Policy-and-its-Relationship-with-the-Middle-East-WPM-76.pdf|url-status=live}}] The country has therefore aimed to diversify its sources and maintain high levels of energy efficiency.[{{cite journal|title=Japan's 2014 Strategic Energy Plan: A Planned Energy System Transition|doi=10.1155/2017/4107614|last1=Kucharski|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Unesaki|first2=Hironobu|year=2017|journal=Journal of Energy|volume=2017|pages=1–13|doi-access=free}}]
==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Japan}}
{{See also|Japanese people|Ethnic groups of Japan}}
[[File:Tokyo from the top of the SkyTree.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|View of Tokyo from the top of the [[Tokyo Skytree]]. The [[Greater Tokyo Area]] is ranked as the [[List of metropolitan areas by population|most populous metropolitan area]] in the world.]]
Japan has a population of nearly 123 million, of whom almost 119 million are Japanese nationals; foreign residents make up the remainder, estimated at 3,743,000 as of September 2025.[{{cite web|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|date=February 20, 2026|title=Population Estimates (Final value in September 2025, Estimated value in February 2026)|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.html|archivedate=June 26, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626135145/http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.html|url-status=live}}] Japan is one of the world's [[Aging of Japan|fastest aging countries]] and has the highest proportion of [[Elderly people in Japan|elderly citizens]] of any country, comprising [[List of countries by age structure|one-third of its total population]];[{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/659419/EPRS_BRI(2020)659419_EN.pdf|title=Japan's ageing society|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|last=D'Ambrogio|first=Enrico|date=December 2020|archivedate=December 16, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216060510/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/659419/EPRS_BRI(2020)659419_EN.pdf|url-status=live}}] this is the result of a [[post–World War II baby boom]], which was followed by an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in [[birth rate]]s.[{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/05/national/numbers-tell-tale-japans-postwar-rise-fall/|website=The Japan Times|title=Numbers tell tale of Japan's postwar rise and fall|last=Yoshida|first=Reiji|date=January 5, 2015|archivedate=January 7, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107180452/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/05/national/numbers-tell-tale-japans-postwar-rise-fall/|url-status=live}}]
Japan has a [[total fertility rate]] of 1.2, which is below the [[Sub-replacement fertility|replacement rate]] of 2.1, and is among [[List of countries by total fertility rate|the world's lowest]]:[{{Cite news |last=Takenaka |first=Kiyoshi |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Japan's births fell to record low in 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-new-births-fall-9-straight-years-record-low-2024-2025-02-27/ |work=[[Reuters]]}}] it has a [[median age]] of 48.4, the [[List of countries by median age|highest in the world]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/10/na021020-japan-demographic-shift-opens-door-to-reforms|title=Japan: Demographic Shift Opens Door to Reforms|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]|date=February 10, 2020|archivedate=February 12, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212164106/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/10/na021020-japan-demographic-shift-opens-door-to-reforms|url-status=live}}] {{as of|2025}}, over 29.3% of the population is over 65, or more than one in four out of the Japanese population.[{{cite web|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|title=Population Estimates Monthly Report November 2020|date=June 20, 2019|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|accessdate=April 29, 2021|archivedate=April 5, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405030144/https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|url-status=live}}] As a growing number of younger Japanese are not marrying or remaining childless,[{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/11/19/commentary/japan-commentary/economic-challenge-japans-aging-crisis/|website=The Japan Times|title=The economic challenge of Japan's aging crisis|last=Walia|first=Simran|date=November 19, 2019|archivedate=November 19, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119155159/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/11/19/commentary/japan-commentary/economic-challenge-japans-aging-crisis/|url-status=live}}][{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/07/japan-mystery-low-birth-rate/534291/|website=The Atlantic|title=The Mystery of Why Japanese People Are Having So Few Babies|last=Semuels|first=Alana|date=July 20, 2017|archivedate=July 20, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720214203/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/07/japan-mystery-low-birth-rate/534291/|url-status=live}}] Japan's population is expected to drop to around 88 million by 2065.[ The Government of Japan projects that there will be almost one elderly person for each person of working age by 2060.][{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/health/japan-child-population-record-low-intl/index.html|publisher=CNN|last1=Wakatsuki|first1=Yoko|last2=Griffiths|first2=James|date=May 7, 2018|title=Number of children in Japan shrinks to new record low|archivedate=May 7, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507083400/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/health/japan-child-population-record-low-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-more-seniors-more-foreigners-how-japan-is-rapidly-changing|publisher=BBC|title=More seniors, more foreigners: How Japan is changing|last=Lufkin|first=Bryan|date=December 10, 2018|archivedate=July 27, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727073218/https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-more-seniors-more-foreigners-how-japan-is-rapidly-changing|url-status=live}}] On April 1, 2019, Japan enacted its revised immigration law, protecting the rights of foreign workers to help reduce labor shortages in certain sectors.[{{cite web|title=New immigration rules to stir up Japan's regional rentals scene — if they work|url=https://www.rethinktokyo.com/2019/03/27/new-immigration-visa-rules-japan-foreign-workers|website= REthink Tokyo|date=March 27, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702124120/https://www.rethinktokyo.com/2019/03/27/new-immigration-visa-rules-japan-foreign-workers|archivedate=July 2, 2019}}]
In 2023, 92% of the Japanese population lived in cities.[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|title=Urban population (% of total population)|accessdate=November 19, 2020|archivedate=January 21, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121222411/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}] The capital city, Tokyo, has a population of 13.9 million (2022).[{{cite web|url=http://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.jp/jsuikei/js-index.htm|script-title=ja:東京都の人口（推計）|trans-title=Population of Tokyo (estimate)|publisher=Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Statistics Department|accessdate=October 22, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002162446/http://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.jp/jsuikei/js-index.htm|archivedate=October 2, 2018}}] It is part of the [[Greater Tokyo Area]], the [[List of metropolitan areas by population|biggest metropolitan area]] in the world with 37.4 million people (2024).[{{Cite web |last=Cutmore |first=James |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Top 14 largest cities in the world |url=https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/in-pictures-the-largest-cities-in-the-world |website=[[BBC Science Focus]] |archivedate=December 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219203730/https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/in-pictures-the-largest-cities-in-the-world |url-status=live }}] Japan is an ethnically and culturally [[List of countries ranked by ethnic and cultural diversity level|homogeneous society]],[{{cite news|url=https://apjjf.org/-Chris-Burgess/2389/article.html|last=Burgess|first=Chris|title=Multicultural Japan? Discourse and the 'Myth' of Homogeneity|date=March 1, 2007|volume=5|issue=3|journal=The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|archivedate=November 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124154805/https://apjjf.org/-Chris-Burgess/2389/article.html|url-status=live}}] with the [[Japanese people]] forming 97.4% of the country's population.[{{cite web|title=Population Estimates by Age (Five-Year Groups) and Sex|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|publisher=[[Statistics Bureau of Japan]]|accessdate=September 10, 2024|archivedate=April 5, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405030144/https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/tsuki/index.html|url-status=live}}] Minority ethnic groups in the country include the indigenous [[Ainu people|Ainu]] and [[Ryukyuan people]].[{{cite journal|author=Japanese Archipelago Human Population Genetics Consortium|title=The history of human populations in the Japanese Archipelago inferred from genome-wide SNP data with a special reference to the Ainu and the Ryukyuan populations|journal=Journal of Human Genetics|volume=57|pages=787–795|year=2012|issue=12|doi=10.1038/jhg.2012.114|pmid=23135232|doi-access=free}}] [[Zainichi Koreans]],[{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/06/13/zainichi-being-korean-in-japan/|publisher=Al Jazeera|title=Zainichi: Being Korean in Japan|last1=Ambrose|first1=Drew|last2=Armont|first2=Rhiona-Jade|date=June 13, 2018|archivedate=November 28, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128055446/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/06/13/zainichi-being-korean-in-japan/|url-status=live}}] [[Chinese people in Japan|Chinese]],[{{cite encyclopedia|doi=10.1007/978-0-387-29904-4_70|title=Chinese in Japan|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Diasporas|last=Chen|first=Lara Tien-shi|year=2005|pages=680–688|isbn=978-0-306-48321-9}}] [[Filipinos in Japan|Filipinos]],[{{cite journal|title='Mixed' Japanese-Filipino identities under Japanese multiculturalism|journal=Social Identities|last=Seiger|first=Fiona-Katharina|pages=392–407|doi=10.1080/13504630.2018.1499225|volume=25|issue=3|year=2019|doi-access=free}}] [[Japanese Brazilian| Brazilians mostly of Japanese descent]],[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-33114120|work=BBC News|title=The Brazilians winning in Japan|date=July 17, 2015|last=Tobace|first=Ewerthon|archivedate=August 14, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814090917/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-33114120|url-status=live}}] and [[Japanese Peruvian| Peruvians mostly of Japanese descent]] are also among Japan's small minority groups.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00054/|last=Escala|first=Elard|website=Nippon.com|title=Peruvians Struggling to Find a Place in Japanese Society|date=February 13, 2014|archivedate=February 13, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213181022/https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00054/|url-status=live}}] {{transliteration|ja|[[Burakumin]]}} make up a social minority group.[{{cite news|title=Japan's hidden caste of untouchables|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34615972|work=BBC News|date=October 23, 2015|archivedate=September 2, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902111214/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34615972|url-status=live}}]
{{Largest cities of Japan}}
===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Japan}}
[[File:豚骨らーめん 博多天神 いらっしゃい 2010 (5023366778).jpg|thumb|[[Kanji]] and [[hiragana]] signs]]
The [[Japanese language]] is Japan's {{lang|la|de facto}} national language and the primary written and spoken language of most people in the country.[{{Cite book |last=Fujita-Round |first=Sachiyo |title=Language Policy and Political Issues in Education |last2=Maher |first2=John C. |date=2017 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-319-02343-4 |editor-last=McCarty |editor-first=Teresa L. |edition=3rd |series=Encyclopedia of Language and Education |pages=491–505 |chapter=Language Policy and Education in Japan |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-02344-1_36 |editor-last2=May |editor-first2=Stephen |chapter-url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-02344-1_36}}] [[Japanese writing]] uses [[kanji]] ([[Chinese character]]s) and two sets of [[kana]] ([[syllabaries]] based on [[Cursive script (East Asia)|cursive script]] and [[Radical (Chinese characters)|radicals]] used by kanji), as well as the [[Latin alphabet]] and [[Arabic numerals]].[{{cite web|last=Miyagawa|first=Shigeru|title=The Japanese Language|url=http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/articles/JapaneseLanguage.html|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology|accessdate=January 16, 2011|archivedate=April 13, 2000|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000413210711/http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/articles/JapaneseLanguage.html|url-status=live}}] English has taken a major role in Japan as a business and international [[link language]], and is a compulsory subject at the junior and senior high school levels.[{{cite web|url=https://education.jnto.go.jp/en/school-in-japan/japanese-education-system/|title=Japanese Educational System|accessdate=November 4, 2024|publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization}}] [[Japanese Sign Language]] is the primary [[sign language]] used in Japan and has gained some official recognition, but its usage has been historically hindered by discriminatory policies and a lack of educational support.[{{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Mark|chapter=Language shift in the Ryukyu Islands|pages=370–388|title=Routledge Handbook of Japanese Sociolinguistics|editor=Heinrich, Patrick|editor2=Ohara, Yumiko|year=2019|isbn=978-1-315-21337-8|publisher=Routledge}}] The [[Hachijō language|Hachijō variant]], variably classified as a divergent dialect of Japanese or a separate Japonic language, is spoken on [[Hachijō-jima]].[{{cite thesis |surname=Iannucci |given=David J. |title=The Hachijō Language of Japan: Phonology and Historical Development |type=PhD dissertation |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |year=2019}}] Few children learn these languages,[{{cite book|last1=Fujita-Round|first1=Sachiyo|last2=Maher|first2=John|chapter=Language Policy and Education in Japan|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-02320-5_36-2|editor-last1=McCarty|editor-first1=T|editor-last2=May|editor-first2=S|title=Language Policy and Political Issues in Education|year=2017|publisher=Springer|pages=1–15|isbn=978-3-319-02320-5}}] but local governments have sought to increase awareness of the traditional languages.[{{cite book|chapter=Language Revitalization Efforts in the Ryukyus|last=Ishihara|first=Masahide|pages=67–82|year=2016|title=Self-determinable Development of Small Islands|publisher=Springer|editor=Ishihara, Masahide|editor2=Hoshino, Eiichi|editor3=Fujita, Yoko|isbn=978-981-10-0132-1}}] The [[Ainu language]], which is a [[language isolate]], is [[moribund language|moribund]], with only a few native speakers remaining {{as of|2014|lc=y}}.[{{cite book|page=1058|chapter=The ethnohistory and anthropology of 'modern' hunter-gatherers: north Japan (Ainu)|last=Hudson|first=Mark|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2014|isbn=978-0-19-955122-4|title=The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Hunter-Gatherers|editor=Cummings, Vicki|editor2=Jordan, Peter|editor3=Zvelebil, Marek}}] Additionally, a number of other languages are taught and used by ethnic minorities, immigrant communities, and a growing number of foreign-language students, such as [[Korean language|Korean]] (including a distinct [[Zainichi Korean language|Zainichi Korean dialect]]), [[Chinese language|Chinese]], and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].[{{cite book|first=Kyoko|last=Inoue|title=MacArthur's Japanese Constitution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ffeE989AWrAC&pg=PA132|year=2007|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-38391-0|pages=132–133|edition=2nd}}] Upper estimates suggest that 84–96% of the Japanese population subscribe to [[Shinto]] as its indigenous religion.[{{cite web|title=A View of Religion in Japan|url=https://www.japansociety.org/a_view_of_religion_in_japan|accessdate=January 29, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123023617/http://www.japansociety.org/a_view_of_religion_in_japan|archivedate=January 23, 2016|last=McQuaid|first=John|publisher=Japan Society}}] However, these estimates are based on people [[Danka system|affiliated]] with a temple, rather than the number of true believers. Many Japanese people practice both Shinto and [[Buddhism in Japan|Buddhism]]; they can identify with both religions or describe themselves as non-religious or spiritual.[{{cite web|title=How religious are Japanese people?|url=https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/how-religious-are-japanese-people|date=October 27, 2013|website=Japan Today|archivedate=December 23, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223021631/https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/how-religious-are-japanese-people|url-status=live}}] The level of participation in religious ceremonies as a cultural tradition remains high, particularly during [[Japanese festivals|festivals]] and occasions such as the [[Hatsumōde|first shrine visit]] of the [[Japanese New Year|New Year]].[{{cite journal|title=Women between Religion and Spirituality: Observing Religious Experience in Everyday Japanese Life|last=Cavaliere|first=Paola|journal=Religions|year=2019|volume=10|issue=6|page=377|doi=10.3390/rel10060377|doi-access=free}}] [[Taoism in Japan|Taoism]] and [[Confucianism in Japan|Confucianism]] from China have also influenced Japanese beliefs and customs.[{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/japan-unesco-hidden-christian-persecution-world-heritage.html|website=Christianity Today|title=Why Japan Wants Its Past Persecution of Christians to Be World Renowned|last=Shellnutt|first=Kate|date=May 29, 2018|archivedate=May 3, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143743/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/japan-unesco-hidden-christian-persecution-world-heritage.html|url-status=live}}] to 1.5% of the population were [[Christianity in Japan|Christians]].[{{cite book|url=https://www.bunka.go.jp/tokei_hakusho_shuppan/hakusho_nenjihokokusho/shukyo_nenkan/pdf/r01nenkan.pdf#page=49|title=Shūkyō nenkan reiwa gan'nen-ban|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|year=2019|page=35|language=ja|script-title=ja:宗教年鑑 令和元年版|trans-title=Religious Yearbook 2019|archivedate=December 25, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225124108/https://www.bunka.go.jp/tokei_hakusho_shuppan/hakusho_nenjihokokusho/shukyo_nenkan/pdf/r01nenkan.pdf#page=49|url-status=live}}] Throughout the latest century, Western customs originally related to Christianity, including [[marriage in Japan|Western style weddings]], [[Valentine's Day]] and [[Christmas]], have become popular as secular customs among many Japanese.[{{cite news|last=Kato|first=Mariko|title=Christianity's long history in the margins|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=February 24, 2009}}]
About 90% of those practicing [[Islam in Japan]] are foreign-born migrants {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.[{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2016/07/13/issues/shadow-surveillance-looms-japans-muslims/|website=The Japan Times|title=Shadow of surveillance looms over Japan's Muslims|last=Blakkarly|first=Jarni|date=July 13, 2016|archivedate=December 5, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205035509/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2016/07/13/issues/shadow-surveillance-looms-japans-muslims/|url-status=live}}] In 2018, there were an estimated 105 [[mosque]]s and 200,000 Muslims in Japan, 43,000 of which were Japanese nationals.[{{cite news|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191128/p2a/00m/0fe/014000c|website=The Mainichi|date=November 29, 2019|title=No. of Muslims, mosques on the rise in Japan amid some misconceptions, prejudice|archivedate=February 10, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210235636/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191128/p2a/00m/0fe/014000c|url-status=live}}] Other minority religions include [[Hinduism in Japan|Hinduism]], [[Judaism in Japan|Judaism]], and [[Baháʼí Faith in Japan|Baháʼí Faith]], as well as the [[animist]] beliefs of the Ainu.[{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JAPAN-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf|publisher=US Department of State|title=Japan 2018 International Religious Freedom Report|accessdate=November 20, 2020|archivedate=January 28, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128074718/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JAPAN-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf|url-status=live}}]
===Education===
{{Main|Education in Japan}}
[[File:Tokyo University Entrance Exam Results 6.JPG|thumb|Students celebrating after the announcement of the results of the [[Higher education in Japan#University entrance|entrance examinations]] to the [[University of Tokyo]]]]
Since the 1947 [[Fundamental Law of Education]], compulsory education in Japan comprises [[Elementary schools in Japan|elementary]] and [[Secondary education in Japan#Junior high school|junior high school]], which together last for nine years.[{{cite book|url=https://www.jica.go.jp/jica-ri/IFIC_and_JBICI-Studies/english/publications/reports/study/topical/educational/pdf/educational_02.pdf|page=23|chapter=The Modernization and Development of Education in Japan|publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute|date=March 2004|title=The History of Japan's Educational Development|archivedate=November 5, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105093000/https://www.jica.go.jp/jica-ri/IFIC_and_JBICI-Studies/english/publications/reports/study/topical/educational/pdf/educational_02.pdf|url-status=live}}] Almost all children continue their education at a three-year [[Secondary education in Japan|senior high school]].[{{cite web|url=https://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/japan-overview/japan-instructional-systems/|publisher=Center on International Education Benchmarking|title=Japan: Learning Systems|accessdate=November 22, 2020|archivedate=November 27, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127083408/https://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/japan-overview/japan-instructional-systems/|url-status=live}}] The top-ranking university in Japan is the [[University of Tokyo]].[{{cite web | url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=jp | title=QS World University Rankings – 2025 | publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited | accessdate=7 June 2024| archivedate=May 24, 2024 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524070812/https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=jp | url-status=live}}] Starting in April 2016, various schools began the academic year with elementary school and junior high school integrated into one nine-year compulsory schooling program. [[MEXT]] plans for this approach to be adopted nationwide.[{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/10/national/compulsory-nine-year-school-system-kicks-off-japan/|title=Compulsory nine-year school system kicks off in Japan|date=June 10, 2016|newspaper=The Japan Times|archivedate=October 21, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021063018/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/10/national/compulsory-nine-year-school-system-kicks-off-japan|url-status=live}}]
The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]] (PISA) coordinated by the OECD ranks the knowledge and skills of Japanese 15-year-olds as the third best in the world.[{{cite web|title=Japan – Student performance (PISA 2015)|publisher=OECD|url=http://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=PI|accessdate=December 6, 2020|archivedate=September 22, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922235259/https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=PI|url-status=live}}] Japan is one of the top-performing [[OECD]] countries in reading literacy, math, and sciences with the average student scoring 520 and has one of the world's highest-educated labor forces among OECD countries.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nier.go.jp/kokusai/pisa/pdf/2018/01_point-eng.pdf|title=Key Features of OECD Programme for International Student Assessment 2018 (PISA 2018)|page=2|publisher=[[National Institute for Educational Policy Research]]|accessdate=September 1, 2022|archivedate=May 9, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509072224/https://www.nier.go.jp/kokusai/pisa/pdf/2018/01_point-eng.pdf|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|title=PISA – Results in Focus – Japan|publisher=OECD|url=https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA2018_CN_JPN.pdf|page=1|accessdate=December 6, 2020|year=2018|archivedate=December 3, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203151025/https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA2018_CN_JPN.pdf|url-status=live}}] It spent 7.4% of its total GDP on education in 2021.[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS?locations=JP|title=Government expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure) – Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=September 7, 2022|archivedate=December 2, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202163842/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}]
In 2023, Japan ranked third for the percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds that have attained tertiary education, at 56%.[{{cite web|url=https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=EO|title=Japan|publisher=OECD|accessdate=January 29, 2023|archivedate=August 15, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815110716/https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?plotter=h5&primaryCountry=JPN&treshold=10&topic=EO|url-status=live}}] Approximately 65.5% of Japanese aged 25 to 34 have some form of tertiary education qualification, with bachelor's degrees being held by 34.8% of Japanese aged 25 to 64, the second most in the OECD after [[Education in South Korea|South Korea]].[{{cite web|title=Womenomics, Will women help solve Japan's economic problems?|publisher=[[Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada]]|url=https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/sites/default/files/2019-10/Japan%20-%20Womenomics%20-V3-October%202019.pdf|page=4|year=2019|archivedate=October 27, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027141529/https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/sites/default/files/2019-10/Japan%20-%20Womenomics%20-V3-October%202019.pdf|url-status=live}}]
===Health===
{{Main|Health in Japan|Health care system in Japan}}
[[File:University of Tokyo Hospital.JPG|thumb|[[University of Tokyo Hospital]]]]
Health care in Japan is provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments.[{{cite book|first=Naoki|last=Ikegami|title=Universal Health Coverage for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6m1BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA16|date=October 14, 2014|publisher=World Bank Publications|isbn=978-1-4648-0408-3|pages=16–17}}] Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance.[{{cite web|url=http://www.nyu.edu/projects/rodwin/lessons.html|first=Victor|last=Rodwin|title=Health Care in Japan|publisher=New York University|accessdate=March 10, 2007|archivedate=June 19, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619212526/https://www.nyu.edu/projects/rodwin/lessons.html|url-status=live}}]
Japan spent 11.42% of its total GDP on healthcare in 2022.[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=JP|title=Current healthcare expenditure (% of GDP): Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archivedate=July 25, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725125322/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=JP|url-status=live}}] In 2020, the overall life expectancy in Japan at birth was 85 years (82 years for men and 88 years for women),[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|title=Life expectancy at birth, male (years)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=August 21, 2024|archivedate=August 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822010631/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|title=Life expectancy at birth, female (years)|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=August 21, 2024|archivedate=October 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002212241/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|url-status=live}}] the [[List of countries by life expectancy|highest]] in the world;[{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth, total|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=JP|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archivedate=May 1, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501205550/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020|url-status=live}}] while it had a very low [[infant mortality rate]] (2 per 1,000 [[live birth (human)|live births]]).[{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=JP|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births): Japan|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=July 25, 2022|archivedate=July 25, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725125128/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=JP|url-status=live}}] Since 1981, the principal cause of death in Japan is [[cancer]], which accounted for 27% of the total deaths in 2018—followed by [[cardiovascular disease]]s, which led to 15% of the deaths.[{{cite journal|last=Tsugane|first=Shoichiro|title=Why has Japan become the world's most long-lived country: insights from a food and nutrition perspective|date=July 2020|volume=75|pages=921–928|doi=10.1038/s41430-020-0677-5|journal=[[European Journal of Clinical Nutrition]]|doi-access=free}}] Japan has one of the world's [[Suicide in Japan|highest suicide rates]], which is considered a major social issue.[{{cite journal|title=Cultural influences on suicide in Japan|last1=Russell|first1=Roxanne|last2=Metraux|first2=Daniel|last3=Tohen|first3=Mauricio|journal=Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences|doi=10.1111/pcn.12428|volume=71|year=2017|issue=1|pages=2–5|pmid=27487762|doi-access=free}}] Another significant public health issue is [[smoking in Japan|smoking]] among Japanese men.[{{cite journal|doi= 10.1016/j.je.2016.12.017|last1=Akter|first1=Shamima|last2=Goto|first2=Atsushi|last3=Mizoue|first3=Tetsuya|title=Smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Japan: A systematic review and meta-analysis|journal=Journal of Epidemiology|year=2017|volume=27|issue=12|pages=553–561|doi-access=free}}] Japan has the lowest rate of heart disease in the OECD, and the lowest level of [[dementia]] among developed countries.[{{cite book|last1=Britnell|first1=Mark|title=In Search of the Perfect Health System|date=2015|publisher=Palgrave|isbn=978-1-137-49661-4|page=18}}]
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Japan}}
{{See also|Japanese popular culture}}
Contemporary Japanese culture combines influences from Asia, Europe, and North America.[{{Cite book|title=Japan's Open Future: An Agenda for Global Citizenship|last1=Haffner|first1=John|last2=Klett|first2=Tomas|last3=Lehmann|first3=Jean-Pierre|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84331-311-3|page=17}}] Traditional Japanese arts include [[Japanese handicrafts|crafts]] such as [[Japanese pottery and porcelain|ceramics]], [[Kimono|textiles]], [[Japanese lacquerware|lacquerware]], [[Japanese sword|swords]], and [[Japanese traditional dolls|dolls]]; performances of {{transliteration|ja|[[bunraku]]}}, {{transliteration|ja|[[kabuki]]}}, {{transliteration|ja|[[noh]]}}, [[Japanese traditional dance|dance]], and {{transliteration|ja|[[rakugo]]}}; and other practices, the [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]], {{transliteration|ja|[[ikebana]]}}, [[Japanese martial arts|martial arts]], [[Japanese calligraphy|calligraphy]], [[origami]], {{transliteration|ja|[[onsen]]}}, [[Geisha]], and [[List of Japanese games|games]]. Japan has a developed system for the protection and promotion of both tangible and intangible [[Cultural Properties of Japan|Cultural Properties]] and [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasures]].[{{cite web|url=http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html|title=Administration of Cultural Affairs in Japan|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|accessdate=May 11, 2011|archivedate=October 31, 2002|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021031062304/http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html|url-status=live}}] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Japan|Twenty-two sites]] have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, eighteen of which are of cultural significance.[ Japan is considered a [[cultural superpower]].][{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2002/jun/01/artsfeatures.features|title=The other superpower|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 1, 2001|archivedate=November 21, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121170416/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2002/jun/01/artsfeatures.features|url-status=live}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/2015/01/how-japan-became-a-pop-culture-superpower/|title=How Japan became a pop culture superpower|date=January 31, 2015|website=The Spectator|last=Hoskin|first=Peter|archivedate=December 10, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210190111/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2015/01/how-japan-became-a-pop-culture-superpower/|url-status=dead}}][{{Cite news|title='Pure Invention': How Japan's pop culture became the 'lingua franca' of the internet|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/18/books/pure-invention-jpop-culture/|work=[[The Japan Times]]|date=July 18, 2020|last=Schley|first=Matt|archivedate=December 14, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214054619/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/18/books/pure-invention-jpop-culture/|url-status=live}}][{{Cite news|title=How Japan's global image morphed from military empire to eccentric pop-culture superpower|url=https://qz.com/1806376/japans-image-has-changed-from-fierce-to-lovable-over-the-decades/|work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]|date=May 27, 2020|last=Bain|first=Marc|archivedate=October 21, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021121139/https://qz.com/1806376/japans-image-has-changed-from-fierce-to-lovable-over-the-decades/amp/|url-status=live}}]
===Art and architecture===
{{Main|Japanese art|Japanese architecture}}
{{Further|Japanese garden|Japanese esthetics|Japanese painting|Japanese sculpture}}
{{multiple image
| total_width = 320
| caption1 = [[Hokusai]]'s 19th-century [[ukiyo-e]] [[Woodblock printing in Japan|woodblock print]] ''[[The Great Wave off Kanagawa]]''
| caption2 = [[Ritsurin Garden]], one of the most famous strolling gardens in Japan
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = The Great Wave off Kanagawa.jpg
| image2 = 150504 Ritsurin Park Takamatsu Kagawa pref Japan01s3.jpg
}}
The history of Japanese painting exhibits synthesis and competition between native Japanese esthetics and imported ideas.[{{cite book|last=Arrowsmith|first=Rupert Richard|title=Modernism and the Museum: Asian, African, and Pacific Art and the London Avant-Garde|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-959369-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MIBNXScRj3QC}}] The interaction between Japanese and European art has been significant: for example [[ukiyo-e]] prints, which began to be exported in the 19th century in the movement known as [[Japonism]], had a significant influence on the development of modern art in the West, most notably on [[post-Impressionism]].[{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njnRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT26|pages=26–27|title=Traditional Japanese Architecture: An Exploration of Elements and Forms|last=Locher|first=Mira|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4629-0606-2}}] [[Minka|Traditional housing]] and many [[Japanese Buddhist architecture|temple buildings]] see the use of [[tatami]] mats and [[Shōji|sliding doors]] that break down the distinction between rooms and indoor and outdoor space.[{{cite book|title=What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture with a List of Sites and a Map|author1=Kazuo, Nishi|author2=Kazuo, Hozumi|year=1995|publisher=Kodansha|isbn=978-4-7700-1992-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oZl_yEJGtUYC}}] Since the 19th century, Japan has incorporated much of Western [[modern architecture]] into construction and design.[{{cite journal|title=Early Western Architecture in Japan|last=Abe|first=K|volume=13|issue=2|journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians|pages=13–18|date=May 1954|doi=10.2307/987685|jstor=987685}}] It was not until after World War II that Japanese architects made an impression on the international scene, firstly with the work of architects like [[Kenzō Tange]] and then with movements like [[Metabolist Movement|Metabolism]].[{{cite encyclopedia|last=Inagaki|first=Eizo|title=Japan: Architecture after 1868 (Meiji and after)|doi=10.1093/oao/9781884446054.013.90000369666|year=2003|encyclopedia=Oxford Art Online}}]
===Literature and philosophy===
{{Main|Japanese literature|Japanese philosophy}}
[[File:Genji emaki 01003 001.jpg|thumb|12th-century [[Genji Monogatari Emaki|illustrated handscroll]] of ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'', a [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasure]]]]
The earliest works of Japanese literature include the {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Kojiki]]}} and {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Nihon Shoki]]}} chronicles and the {{lang|ja-latn|[[Man'yōshū]]}} [[List of Japanese poetry anthologies|poetry anthology]], all from the 8th century and written in Chinese characters.[{{cite book|title=Seeds in the Heart: Japanese Literature from Earliest Times to the Late Sixteenth Century|author=Keene, Donald|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2000|isbn=978-0-231-11441-7|url={{Google books|_DEwTJq3TbcC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}][{{cite web|url=http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/2000/200015.htm|title=Asian Studies Conference, Japan (2000)|publisher=Meiji Gakuin University|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archivedate=January 16, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116015033/http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/2000/200015.htm|url-status=dead}}] In the early Heian period, the system of [[Phonogram (linguistics)|phonograms]] known as kana ([[hiragana]] and [[katakana]]) was developed.[{{cite web|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/heia/hd_heia.htm|publisher=The Met|title=Heian Period (794–1185)|date=October 2002}}] ''[[The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter]]'' is considered the oldest extant Japanese narrative.[{{cite web|url=https://calisphere.org/item/35b0ea2b3cd767b5ae9e0df7b07f43db/|website=Calisphere|title=Tale of the bamboo cutter|accessdate=November 23, 2020}}] An account of court life is given in ''[[The Pillow Book]]'' by [[Sei Shōnagon]], while ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'' by [[Murasaki Shikibu]] is often described as the world's first novel.[{{cite book|last=Totman|first=Conrad|title=A History of Japan|edition=2nd|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-2359-4|pages=126–127|url={{Google books|Z_a_QgAACAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}][{{Cite book|title=The Tale of Genji|editor=Royall, Tyler|publisher=Penguin Classics|year=2003|isbn=978-0-14-243714-8|pages=i–ii, xii|url={{Google books|AIUvc9FnZ5AC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}]
During the Edo period, the {{transliteration|ja|[[chōnin]]}} ({{gloss|townspeople}}) overtook the samurai aristocracy as producers and consumers of literature. The popularity of the works of [[Saikaku]], for example, reveals this change in readership and authorship, while [[Bashō]] revivified the poetic tradition of the {{transliteration|ja|[[Kokinshū]]}} with his {{transliteration|ja|[[haikai]]}} ([[haiku]]) and wrote the poetic travelogue ''[[Oku no Hosomichi]]''.[{{cite book|title=World Within Walls: Japanese Literature of the Pre-Modern Era, 1600–1867|author=Keene, Donald|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0-231-11467-7|url={{Google books|gwQTF-9axqoC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} }}] The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms as Japanese literature integrated Western influences. [[Natsume Sōseki]] and [[Mori Ōgai]] were significant novelists in the early 20th century, followed by [[Ryūnosuke Akutagawa]], [[Jun'ichirō Tanizaki]], [[Kafū Nagai]] and, more recently, [[Haruki Murakami]] and [[Kenji Nakagami]]. Japan has two [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Nobel Prize–winning authors]]—[[Yasunari Kawabata]] (1968) and [[Kenzaburō Ōe]] (1994).[{{cite encyclopedia|title=Japanese literature|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|last=Keene|first=Donald|url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-literature|accessdate=July 7, 2024}}]
Japanese philosophy has historically been a [[Information fusion|fusion]] of both foreign, particularly [[Chinese philosophy|Chinese]] and [[Western philosophy|Western]], and uniquely Japanese elements. In its literary forms, Japanese philosophy began about fourteen centuries ago. Confucian ideals remain evident in the [[Japanese society|Japanese concept of society]] and the self, and in the organization of the government and the structure of society.[{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-confucian/|title=Japanese Confucian Philosophy|date=May 20, 2008|encyclopedia=[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]}}] Buddhism has profoundly impacted Japanese psychology, metaphysics, and esthetics.[{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/japanese-aesthetics/|title=Japanese aesthetics|first=Graham|last=Parkes|editor-first=Edward N.|editor-last=Zalta|date=January 1, 2011|encyclopedia=Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy}}]
===Performing arts===
{{Main|Music of Japan|Theatre of Japan}}
[[File:春日神社ー篠山ー翁奉納P1011774.jpg|thumb|right|{{transliteration|ja|[[Noh]]}} performance at a Shinto shrine]]
Japanese music is eclectic and diverse. Many [[Traditional Japanese musical instruments|instruments]], such as the [[Koto (instrument)|koto]], were introduced in the 9th and 10th centuries. The popular [[Music of Japan#Folk music|folk music]], with the guitar-like {{transliteration|ja|[[shamisen]]}}, dates from the 16th century.[{{cite book|last=Malm|first=William P.|title=Traditional Japanese music and musical instruments|year=2000|publisher=Kodansha International|isbn=978-4-7700-2395-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/traditionaljapan0000malm/page/31 31–45]|edition=New|url=https://archive.org/details/traditionaljapan0000malm/page/31}}] Western classical music, introduced in the late 19th century, forms an integral part of Japanese culture.[{{cite book|chapter=Katsu Watanabe, Akane Oki, and Yasushi Ishii, Librarians of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo|pages=156–167|title=Conversations with the World's Leading Orchestra and Opera Librarians|last=Lo|first=Patrick|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2016}}] {{transliteration|ja|[[Kumi-daiko]]}} {{gloss|mode=def|ensemble drumming}} was developed in post-war Japan and became very popular in North America.[{{cite web|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordtaiko/cgi-bin/history.html|publisher=Stanford Taiko|title=History of Taiko|accessdate=November 24, 2020}}] Popular music in post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European trends, which has led to the evolution of [[J-pop]].[{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/21/popandrock3|title= J-Pop History|work=The Observer|first=Chris|last=Campion|date=August 22, 2005}}] [[Karaoke]] is a significant cultural activity.[{{cite web|url=https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/karaoke-in-japan|work=Thrillist|title=What Karaoke Means to the Country That Invented It|last=Caracciolo|first=Frankie|date=September 18, 2020}}]
The four traditional theaters from Japan are {{transliteration|ja|[[noh]]}}, {{transliteration|ja|[[kyōgen]]}}, {{transliteration|ja|[[kabuki]]}}, and {{transliteration|ja|[[bunraku]]}}.[{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/art/traditional-japanese-theatre-overview|website=Time Out Tokyo|date=September 27, 2009|title=Traditional Japanese theatre: overview}}] {{transliteration|ja|Noh}} is one of the oldest continuous theater traditions in the world.[{{cite web|first=Edwin|last=Lee|date=December 6, 2018|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/577531/noh-japanese/|title=The Oldest Surviving Form of Theater|website=The Atlantic}}]
===Media===
{{Main|Mass media in Japan|Censorship in Japan}}
[[File:Pokemon Center Tohoku.JPG|thumb|The Japanese media franchise ''[[Pokémon]]'' is the [[List of highest-grossing media franchises|highest grossing media franchise]] of all time.]]
According to the 2015 NHK survey on television viewing in Japan, 79% of Japanese watch television daily.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/english/reports/pdf/report_16042101.pdf|title=Television Viewing and Media Use Today: From "The Japanese and Television 2015" Survey|publisher=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date= April 2016}}] [[Japanese television drama]]s are viewed both within Japan and internationally.[{{cite book|editor-last=Iwabuchi|editor-first=Koichi|title=Feeling Asian Modernities: Transnational Consumption of Japanese TV Dramas|publisher= Hong Kong University Press|year=2004|jstor=j.ctt2jc5b9|isbn=978-962-209-631-8}}] Many Japanese [[media franchise]]s have gained considerable global popularity and are among the world's [[highest-grossing media franchises]]. [[Japanese newspapers]] are among the most circulated in the world {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.[{{cite web|page=19|title=World Press Trends 2016|publisher=WAN-IFRA|url=http://anp.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WAN-IFRA_WPT_2016_3.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724194049/http://anp.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WAN-IFRA_WPT_2016_3.pdf|accessdate=November 11, 2020|archivedate=July 24, 2020}}]
Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries globally.[{{cite book|page=xi|title=Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema|last=Sharp|first=Jasper|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2011}}] [[Ishirō Honda]]'s ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' became an international icon of Japan and spawned an entire subgenre of [[kaiju]] films, as well as the longest-running film franchise in history.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/05/21/godzilla|publisher=New York Public Library|last=Ingoglia|first=Jesse|date=May 21, 2014|title=Godzilla: monster, metaphor, pop icon}}][{{cite book|chapter=Introduction|year=2017|publisher=McFarland|last=Kalat|first=David|edition=2nd|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series}}] Japanese comics, known as [[manga]], developed in the mid-20th century and have become popular [[Manga outside Japan|worldwide]].[{{cite journal|first=Kinko|last=Ito|title=A History of Manga in the Context of Japanese Culture and Society|journal=Journal of Popular Culture|volume=38|issue=3|pages=456–475|date=February 2005|doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2005.00123.x}}][{{cite web|last=Ro|first=Christine|title=Did manga shape how the world sees Japan?|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190610-did-manga-shape-how-the-world-sees-japan|publisher=BBC|date=June 12, 2019}}] A large number of [[List of best-selling manga|manga series]] have become some of the [[List of best-selling comic series|best-selling comics series]] of all time, rivalling the [[American comic book|American comics industry]].[{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Cynthia|title= Why are manga outselling superhero comics?|url=https://www.rutgers.edu/news/why-are-manga-outselling-superhero-comics|website=Rutgers Today|date=December 5, 2019}}] Japanese animated films and television series, known as [[anime]], were largely influenced by Japanese manga and have become highly popular globally.[{{cite book|chapter=Miyazaki and Takahata anime cinema|pages=105–136|last=Hu|first=Tze-Yue|title=[[Frames of Anime: Culture and Image-Building]]|year=2010|publisher=Hong Kong University Press}}][{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan-anime-global-identity-hnk-intl/index.html|last=Jozuka|first=Emiko|title=Japanese anime: From 'Disney of the East' to a global industry worth billions|publisher= CNN|date=July 29, 2019}}]
The [[World Press Freedom Index]] reported [[self-censorship]] among journalists.[{{cite web | title=Japan ranks 66th in press freedom, lowest among G7 | website=The Japan Times | date=May 3, 2025 | url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/03/japan/japan-press-freedom-ranking/}}]
===Holidays===
{{Main|Public holidays in Japan}}
{{See also|Japanese festivals}}
[[File:Young ladies at Harajuku.jpg|thumb|Young women celebrate {{Nihongo|[[Coming of Age Day]]|成人の日|Seijin no Hi}} in [[Harajuku]], Tokyo.]]
Officially, Japan has 16 national, government-recognized holidays. Public holidays in Japan are regulated by the {{Nihongo|Public Holiday Law|国民の祝日に関する法律|Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu}} of 1948.[{{cite news|author=Nakamura, Akemi|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080408i1.html|title=National holidays trace roots to China, ancients, harvests|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713203247/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080408i1.html|archivedate=July 13, 2009|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=April 8, 2008}}] Beginning in 2000, Japan implemented the [[Happy Monday System]], which moved a number of national holidays to Monday in order to obtain a long weekend.[{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/596910.stm|work=BBC News|title=Happy Monday in Japan|last=Hindell|first=Juliet|date=January 10, 2000}}] The national holidays in Japan are [[Japanese New Year|New Year's Day]] on January 1, [[Coming of Age Day]] on the second Monday of January, [[National Foundation Day (Japan)|National Foundation Day]] on February 11, [[The Emperor's Birthday]] on February 23, [[Vernal Equinox Day]] on March 20 or 21, [[Shōwa Day]] on April 29, [[Constitution Memorial Day]] on May 3, [[Greenery Day]] on May 4, [[Children's Day (Japan)|Children's Day]] on May 5, [[Marine Day]] on the third Monday of July, [[Mountain Day]] on August 11, [[Respect for the Aged Day]] on the third Monday of September, [[September equinox|Autumnal Equinox]] on September 23 or 24, [[Health and Sports Day]] on the second Monday of October, [[Culture Day]] on November 3, and [[Labor Thanksgiving Day]] on November 23.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00738/|website=Nippon.com|title=Japan's National Holidays in 2021|date=June 10, 2020}}]
===Cuisine===
{{Main|Japanese cuisine}}
[[File:East West sushi 01.jpg|thumb|A plate of {{transliteration|ja|[[nigirizushi]]}}]]
Japanese cuisine offers a vast array of [[Japanese regional cuisine|regional specialties]] that use traditional recipes and local ingredients.[{{cite web|url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/japan/in-depth/food--drink|publisher=Frommer's|title=Food & Drink in Japan|accessdate=December 1, 2020|archivedate=November 27, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127114557/https://www.frommers.com/destinations/japan/in-depth/food--drink|url-status=dead}}] Seafood and [[Japanese rice]] or [[Japanese noodles|noodles]] are traditional staples.[{{cite book|title=Street Foods|last=von Bargen|first=Hinnerk|page=14|publisher=Wiley|year=2015}}] [[Japanese curry]], since its introduction to Japan from [[British Raj|British India]], is so widely consumed that it can be termed a [[national dish]], alongside [[ramen]] and [[sushi]].[{{cite web |last=Makalintal |first=Bettina |date=February 11, 2018 |title=A brief history of how curry ended up in Japan |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-brief-history-of-how-curry-ended-up-in-japan/ |website=Vice}}][{{cite web |last=McCurry |first=Justin |date=June 18, 2010 |title=Ramen: Japan's super slurpy noodles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/18/ramen-japan-national-dish |website=The Guardian}}] Traditional Japanese sweets are known as {{transliteration|ja|wagashi}}.[{{cite book|first=Darra|last=Goldstein|title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets|url={{Google books|jbi6BwAAQBAJ|page=PA777|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-931339-6|page=777}}] Ingredients such as [[red bean paste]] and [[mochi]] are used. More modern-day tastes include [[green tea ice cream]].[{{cite book|first1=Hiroko|last1=Fujita|first2=Fran|last2=Stallings|title=Folktales from the Japanese Countryside|url={{Google books|p7nNJAt75XQC|page=PA148|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2008|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|isbn=978-1-59158-488-9|page=148}}]
Popular Japanese beverages include [[sake]], a brewed rice beverage that typically contains 14–17% alcohol and is made by multiple fermentation of rice.[{{cite book|first=Carl A.|last=Batt|title=Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology|url={{Google books|1b1CAgAAQBAJ|page=PA846|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2014|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-384733-1|page=846}}] Beer has been brewed in Japan since the late 17th century.[{{cite book|first1=Christopher|last1=Boulton|first2=David|last2=Quain|title=Brewing Yeast and Fermentation|url={{Google books|QpDVsu-vaBcC|page=PT20|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|year=2013|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-68534-1|page=20}}] [[Green tea]] is produced in Japan and prepared in forms such as [[matcha]], used in the [[Japanese tea ceremony]].[{{hosking-jfood|30}}]
===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Japan}}
[[File:Aki basho dohyō-iri on Sept. 28 2014.jpg|thumb|[[Sumo]] wrestlers form around the referee during the ring-entering ceremony.]]
Traditionally, [[sumo]] is considered Japan's national sport.[{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html|title=Sumo: East and West|publisher=PBS|accessdate=March 10, 2007|archivedate=March 7, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307073410/http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/sumoeastandwest/sumo.html|url-status=dead}}] Japanese martial arts such as [[judo]] and [[kendo]] are taught as part of the compulsory junior high school curriculum.[{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/24/reference/prewar-bayonetting-martial-art-makes-return-schools/|website=The Japan Times|title=Prewar bayonetting martial art makes a return to schools|last=Aoki|first=Mizuho|date=April 24, 2017}}] [[Karate]], which originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom, is popular across the world and has been [[Karate at the Summer Olympics|included in the Olympic Games]].[{{Cite web|url=https://thebka.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-karate/|title=A Brief History of Karate|publisher=British Karate Association |date=October 22, 2019 }}][{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Motorsport, cricket and karate among sports on shortlist for Los Angeles 2028 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028 |website=insidethegames.biz}}][{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2009 |publisher=Okinawa Prefectural Government|title=History of Okinawan Karate |url=http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/001/001/index.html |archivedate=March 2, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302085743/http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/001/001/index.html |url-status=dead }}] [[Baseball in Japan|Baseball]] is the most popular sport in the country.[{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/japan-baseball-history|last=Adler|first=David|date=February 21, 2023|publisher=Major League Baseball|title=History of baseball in Japan}}] Japan's top professional league, [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] (NPB), was established in 1936.[{{cite book|author1=Nagata, Yoichi|author2=Holway, John B.|editor=Palmer, Pete|title=Total Baseball|edition=4th|year=1995|publisher=Viking Press|page=547|chapter=Japanese Baseball}}] Since the establishment of the [[Japan Professional Football League]] (J.League) in 1992, association football gained a wide following.[{{cite web|url=http://www.tjf.or.jp/takarabako/PDF/TB09_JCN.pdf|title= Soccer as a Popular Sport: Putting Down Roots in Japan|work= The Japan Forum|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}] The country co-hosted the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] with South Korea.[{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2018/05/24/every-fifa-world-cup-winner-germany-brazil-italy/540978002/|website=USA Today|title=Every FIFA World Cup champion: Brazil, Germany, Italy historically dominate tournament|last=Reineking|first=Jim|date=May 25, 2018}}] Japan has one of the most successful football teams in Asia, winning the [[Asian Cup]] four times,[{{cite web|title=Team Japan|url=http://www.afcasiancup.com/team/en/Japan|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=March 2, 2014|archivedate=January 25, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125085954/http://www.afcasiancup.com/team/en/Japan|url-status=dead}}] and the [[2011 FIFA Women's World Cup|FIFA Women's World Cup]] in 2011.[{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/summary.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121005/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/summary.html|url-status=dead|archivedate=July 18, 2011|title=Japan edge USA for maiden title|date=July 17, 2011|publisher=FIFA}}] Golf is also popular in Japan.[{{cite web|url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/604/sports.asp|title= Japanese Golf Gets Friendly|website=[[Metropolis (English magazine in Japan)|Metropolis]]|first=Fred|last=Varcoe|accessdate=April 1, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926215517/http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/604/sports.asp|archivedate = September 26, 2007}}]
In [[motorsport]], Japanese automotive manufacturers have been successful in multiple different categories, with titles and victories in series such as [[Formula One]], [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]], and the [[World Rally Championship]].[{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Honda Wins F1 Championship in Its Final Season |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021121200336/ |website=Nippon.com |archivedate=December 13, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213075303/https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021121200336/ |url-status=dead }}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/more/wrc-history/group-a/|title=Group A|publisher=World Rally Championship|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/10/11/japanese-industry-in-motogp/241690|title=Japanese industry in MotoGP|date=October 11, 2017|website=MotoGP|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}] Drivers from Japan have victories at the [[Indianapolis 500]] and the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] as well as podium finishes in Formula One, in addition to success in domestic championships.[{{Cite news|last=Nagatsuka|first=Kaz|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/06/14/more-sports/auto-racing/sato-revels-glow-historic-indy-500-triumph/|title=Sato revels in glow of historic Indy 500 triumph|date=June 14, 2017|work=The Japan Times }}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/general/news/the-man-behind-japans-only-le-mans-winner-5110896/5110896/|work=Autosport|title=The man behind Japan's only Le Mans winner|last=Newbold|first=James|date=June 7, 2018}}] [[Super GT]] is the most popular national racing series in Japan, while [[Super Formula]] is the top-level domestic open-wheel series.[{{cite web|url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/623/sports.asp|title=Japanese Omnibus: Sports|last=Clarke|first=Len|website=Metropolis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926215524/http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/623/sports.asp|archivedate=September 26, 2007|accessdate=April 1, 2007}}] The country hosts major races such as the [[Japanese Grand Prix]].[{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2018/04/for-the-love-of-cars-auto-racing-in-japan/|website=Tokyo Weekender|date=April 18, 2018|title=For the Love of Cars: Auto Racing in Japan}}]
Japan hosted the Summer Olympics in [[1964 Summer Olympics|Tokyo in 1964]] and the Winter Olympics in [[1972 Winter Olympics|Sapporo in 1972]] and [[1998 Winter Olympics|Nagano in 1998]].[{{cite web|title=Olympic History in Japan|url=http://www.joc.or.jp/english/historyjapan/history_japan_bid.html|publisher=Japanese Olympic Committee|accessdate=January 7, 2011}}] The country hosted the official [[2006 Basketball World Championship]][{{cite web|title=2006 FIBA World Championship|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903040643/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/|url-status=dead|archivedate=September 3, 2006|publisher=FIBA|accessdate=May 10, 2017}}] and co-hosted the [[2023 Basketball World Championship]].[{{cite web|title=FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023|accessdate=September 24, 2020|publisher=FIBA}}] Tokyo hosted the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in 2021, making Tokyo the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice.[{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-selects-tokyo-as-host-of-2020-summer-olympic-games/208784|title=IOC selects Tokyo as host of 2020 Summer Olympic Games|date=July 21, 2016|publisher=International Olympic Committee}}] The country gained the hosting rights for the official [[Women's Volleyball World Championship]] on five occasions, more than any other country.[{{cite web|title=The Game – World Championships – FIVB Women's World Championships Finals|url=http://www.fivb.org/TheGame/TheGame_WorldChampionships.htm|publisher=FIVB|accessdate=June 13, 2017}}] Japan is the most successful Asian [[Rugby Union]] country[{{cite web|url=https://www.asiarugby.com/about-asia-rugby/history/|title=History|publisher=Asia Rugby|accessdate=December 5, 2020}}] and hosted the 2019 IRB [[Rugby World Cup]].[{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid=2069327.html#japan+reaches+rest+asia|title=Japan reaches out to the rest of Asia|date=November 1, 2013|publisher=Rugby World Cup|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224929/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid%3D2069327.html|archivedate=December 17, 2013 }}]
==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Countries|Asia|Islands
}}
*[[Index of Japan-related articles]]
*[[Outline of Japan]]
{{Clear}}
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}
*[https://www.japan.go.jp/ JapanGov – The Government of Japan]
*[https://japan.kantei.go.jp/index.html Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet Official website]
*[https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html The Imperial Household Agency] – official site of the Imperial House of Japan
*[https://www.ndl.go.jp/en/index.html National Diet Library]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090421051351/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/japan.htm Japan] from ''[[University of Colorado Boulder|UCB]] Libraries GovPubs'' (archived April 21, 2009)
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-14918801 Japan] from [[BBC News]]
*[https://www.oecd.org/japan/ Japan] from the [[OECD]]
*{{OSM relation|382313}}
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