Japan

Japan

Basic Facts


1.   Capital: Tokyo


2.   Official Language: Japanese


3.   Form of Government: constitutional monarchy


4.   Area: 145,870 square miles


5.   Elevation: Highest- Mt. Fuji, 12,388 ft. above sea level
Lowest- sea level

6.   Population: Population: (125,449,703, July 1996 est.)
1990 census- 123,611,167

7.   Chief Products: Agriculture- cabbage, Chinese cabbage,
hogs, mandarin oranges, milk, potatoes,
poultry and eggs, rice, strawberries, tea,
white radishes. Fishing- clams, flat fish,
mackerel, oysters, pollock, salmon, sardines,
scallops, squid, tuna. Manufacturing-
automobiles, calculators, cement, chemical,
computers, iron and steel, optical equipment,
paper and newsprint, processed foods, tape
recorders, television sets, textiles, watches.
Mining- coal.

8.   National Anthem: “Kimigayo” (The Reign of Our Emperor)


9.   Money: Basic unit- yen


10.   Additional Information: Long form of name:   none
Short form of name: Japan










Government


The Constitution
The Constitution that is presently being used was drawn up by the Allied
occupation forces, and went into effect on May 3, 1947.   This constitution changed Japan
very much, it gave power to the people, not to the emperor as it was before.   It gave people
human liberties, such as freedoms of speech, religion, the press, and assembly. The
constitution provides for three branches of government- legislative, executive, and judicial.
It grants all Japanese citizens suffrage who are 20 or older.

The Emperor
In Japan’s history, at various times, emperors held great power.   The Constitution
of 1947 states that the emperor is a symbol of the state and unity of the people.   Therefore,
the emperor’s duties are entirely ceremonial.   The emperor inherits his throne.

The Diet
The Diet is Japan’s parliament, which makes the...