Japan Today
Government
Japan’s government consists of a parliament and a constitutional monarchy. The Japanese government is split into two parts. The monarchy part, which is lead by an emperor who is the head of the state, and the parliamentary part, which is then split into two groups: the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives. Japan has had the same head of state, Emperor Akihito, since 1989. The monarchy of Japan is hereditary. It is similar to the monarchy of England, in that the ruler is more of a figure head of the country. The House of Councillors is made up of 252 members, who are each elected for terms of six years. It is the upper house in the parliament system but has a smaller say in the passing of laws. The House of Representatives is made up of 500 members, who are each elected for terms of four years. It is the lower of the two houses yet it can pass laws without the approval of the House of Councillors and, as an elective body, elect a prime minister for Japan every four years. Shinzo Abe is the current prime minister of Japan. The prime minister is the head of the Japanese government and is appointed by the House of Representatives. The prime minister chooses other Japanese politicians to but in his Cabinet, much like a United States president would. The Japanese independence day is May 3. All Japanese citizens can vote starting at the age of 20. There is an election every four years and every six years. (1)
Economy
The gross domestic product of Japan in 2012 is $5.984 trillion. In 2012, Japan had the most public debt in the world, at about 219% of the GDP, adding up to more than $13 trillion dollars of debt. After World War II, the United States prevented Japan from forming its own military. Therefore, the money that would have been used in the making of weaponry, the training of soldiers, etc. would be saved and used for other things, like debt. But, Japan is still in quite a bit of debt. Japan is the world’s largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas and the second largest importer of oil because Japan has nearly no natural energy resources. Japan is the world’s third largest importer of agricultural products. Japan’s agricultural economy consists of rice, sugar beets, vegetables, and fruit, as well as livestock, specifically pigs. About 13% of Japanese land is used for agricultural purposes. Japan has a work force of 65.27 million people, nearly 70% of which who work in the service industry. Japan’s economy thrives off of the production of motor vehicles and electronics. (1)
Challenges
Japan, like any other country, faces many problems. On March 11, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck off of the east coast of Japan. Not only did the earthquake caused great destruction in Japan, but a tsunami followed the disaster. The tsunami destroyed three nuclear plants which then caused a large radiation problem in Japan. More than 15,000 people were killed in the disaster, with 5,000 went missing, and over 5,000 were left injured. About 300,000 buildings were demolished due to the earthquake and tsunami and more than 2,000 roads were washed away. This enormous natural disaster caused the loss of an equivalent to over $300 billion and left thousands homeless. (2) Japan also suffers many other natural disasters, like typhoons, hurricanes, and volcanic activity. In 2003, Japanese real estate and stock prices plummeted, causing a financial crisis that lost trillions of dollars. Despite a rise in the prices in 2007, they fell again in 2008, as did many nations throughout the world. The 2011 earthquake/tsunami also worsened the country financially as well. Japan is in over $13 billion of debt. In Japan, nearly a quarter of the population is 65 or over. Japan has a negative population growth rate, at -0.077% growth. (1) Japan had to extend the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 because they needed more workers and there was more older people than there was younger people. This extension will begin on April 1, 2013. By 2050, it is predicted that nearly two-fifths of the Japanese population will be over the age of 65. (3) Also, the Japanese people are currently causing air pollution by releasing a lot of toxic gases into the atmosphere. They must use a lot of energy resources to produce goods, thus releasing large amounts of toxic gas by using the energy sources. The automobile industry is very big in Japan and using these automobiles in Japan adds to the already plentiful pollution. Although they have attempted to reduce this pollution, it is hard due to a large population and a large industry of goods. (4)
Cuisine
Most Japanese food is fried, boiled, or raw. Food is not usually baked. In the majority of Japanese dishes, noodles and/or rice are usually present. Rice is usually eaten at every meal for the Japanese. Sushi is a very popular Japanese dish in America. The Japanese eat a lot of fish. Vegetarian foods, like seafood, rice, noodles, and vegetables, are eaten very often in Japan. Raw horse meat is actually eaten in Japan. (5) Being able to use chopsticks in Japan is still proper etiquette even though there are more utensils that could be used.The Japanese drink tea as much as a regular American would drink water. Drinking a lot of alcohol is looked down on in Japan and manners, etiquette, and respect are a major part of a Japanese dining. (6)
Pop Culture
Clothes
Japanese women wearing kimonos.
Everyday clothes in Japan are very much like everyday clothes in America. Normal clothes in Japan are jeans, sweatpants, t-shirts, polos, and sweatshirts. Traditional clothes in Japan are worn only on special occasions, like weddings. Women wear long silk dresses with big sleeves called kimonos. Kimonos are tied at the waist with a belt, called an obi. They take a long time to put on and does not allow one to move very quickly. Informal kimonos, called yukatas, are lighter and are worn at less formal occasions during the summer but are not considered everyday wear. (7)
Music
This is a very famous song in Japan. It is called You Are My Life and is performed by the boy band FT Island. It is the second most popular song in Japan for the week of 3/17/13 to 3/24/13. (8)
Sources
1. "Japan." CIA- The World Factbook. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
2. "Magnitude 9.0 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN." U.S. Geological Survey. N.p., 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
3. Warnock, Eleanor. "Japan Bill to Raise Retirement Age Passes Lower House." The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
4. "Japan Air Pollution." The Good Air Lady. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "Interesting Facts About Japan." Facts About Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. "Eating and Drinking Etiquette." Japan National Tourism Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "Housing, Food, and Clothes." Kids Web Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
8. "TOP 100 Japanese Songs of The Week." Only Lyrics. N.p., 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
2. "Magnitude 9.0 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN." U.S. Geological Survey. N.p., 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
3. Warnock, Eleanor. "Japan Bill to Raise Retirement Age Passes Lower House." The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
4. "Japan Air Pollution." The Good Air Lady. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "Interesting Facts About Japan." Facts About Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. "Eating and Drinking Etiquette." Japan National Tourism Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "Housing, Food, and Clothes." Kids Web Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
8. "TOP 100 Japanese Songs of The Week." Only Lyrics. N.p., 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.