Portal:Japan

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Japan is an island nation off the east coast of continental Asia. Its four largest islands are (in order by area) Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū, and Shikoku. These islands make up 99% of Japan's area. It is divided into 47 prefectures, of which Tokyo, home to the government and Emperor, is the most famous. The nation's government is the Diet, consisting of an upper house, the House of Councillors, and a lower house, the House of Representatives, which designate the cabinet, headed by the prime minister. Each prefecture has an elected governor and a separately elected legislature. The Constitution establishes the Emperor as a symbol of the nation.

Early texts trace the country's legendary foundation to Emperor Jimmu, while the written history of Japan begins with a mention in early Chinese records of the land of Wa (the name given to ancient Japan by the Chinese), which was said to be divided into 100 separate kingdoms, one of which, the kingdom of Na, sent an envoy to Emperor Guāng Wǔ in 57 A.D. The Shinto religion is native to Japan, and Buddhism, which came from Korea and China, developed further in the islands. The philosophy of Confucianism played a major role in shaping the country's thoughts, institutions, ethics, and personal relationships.

Japan's rich tradition of performing arts includes Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku. Its literature includes The Tale of Genji (a novel dating from the 11th century) and waka and haiku poetic forms. The arts of Japan encompass sculpture, painting, woodblock prints, calligraphy and manga. The world has embraced Japan's modern manga, film, anime, video games, and J-pop.

The powerful economic engine of Japan includes manufacturing enterprises such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Matsushita, and Sony. Its financial services providers compete internationally in banking and insurance. The construction, shipping, and fishing industries are worldwide in scope. The nation's imports include energy and food. Governmental agencies involved with the economy include the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Bank of Japan.

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January 21:

Japanese snow monkeys are beating the cold at a hot spring here by taking dips in the steaming water. Weird News
Japan re-thinking decision to import foreigners. Mainichi Daily

January 20: Japan eyes tough North Korea trade. CNN

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Anime and Manga	Osaka	Japan News

On this day...

edit April 9:

702 - Japan's first legal system of measurement is implemented. (Traditional Japanese Date: Eighth Day of the Third Month, 702)
1890 - The Lake Biwa Canal, from Ōtsu to Kamo River, is completed.
1935 - Three of Minobe Tatsukichi's publications setting forth his theory that the emperor is merely a legal figure who exercises power on behalf of the people in whom sovereignty resides (the imperial institution theory) are outlawed. Minobe eventually quits the House of Peers.
1939 - The first group recruitment train, carrying 580 students looking for work, travels from Akita to Ueno.
1952 - A Japan Airlines passenger plane crashes into Mt. Mihara on the Izu Peninsula, killing 37 people, including entertainer Ōtsuji Shirō.
1981 - An American nuclear submarine collides with a Japanese cargo ship, the Nisshōmaru.
1992 - Singer Fujiyama Ichirō becomes the ninth person to be awarded the National Honor Award (国民栄誉賞, Kokumin Eiyō-shō^?).

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From Wikipedia's newest Japan-related articles:

...that Bandai Bridge was the first bridge to cross Japan's longest river?
...that The Dancing Girl (Maihime) was Mori Ogai's first major novel?
...that on November 7, the deadly 2006 Saroma tornado struck the town of Saroma in Hokkaidō?
...that Kira Yoshinaka was a samurai who held the honorary title of Kōzuke no Suke (Vice-governor of Kozuke Province)?
...that the E531 series is an electrical multiple unit used by East Japan Railway Company on the Jōban Line?
...that the extensive list of anime distributed by TV Tokyo includes Azumanga Daioh, Excel Saga, Love Hina, and Naruto?
...that Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., the trust banking arm of Mizuho Financial Group, is the second-biggest financial services company in Japan?
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Topics

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History	Paleolithic, Jomon, Yayoi, Yamato, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, Azuchi-Momoyama, Edo, Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei
Politics	Emperor (list), Prime Minister (list), Cabinet, Ministries, Diet, House of Councillors, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Elections, Political parties, Fiscal policy, Foreign policy, Foreign relations, Human rights, Military
Geography	Environment, Regions, Prefectures, Cities, Districts, Towns, Villages, Addresses, Islands, Lakes, Rivers
Economy	Primary sector, Manufacturing, Labor, Communications, Transportation, Currency, Central bank
Culture	Anime & Manga, Architecture, Art, Bonsai, Cuisine, Festivals, Gardens, Geisha, Go Game, Ikebana, Onsen & Sento, Literature, Music, Tea ceremony, Theatre
Society	Demographics, Crime, Education, Etiquette, Language, Law, Mythology, Religion, Sports, Values

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Japan on Wikinews	Japan on Wikiquote	Japan on Wikibooks	Japan on Wikisource	Japan on Wiktionary	Japan on Wikimedia Commons
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