Capital: Tokyo
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Introduction Japan is the world's second largest economy. Since World War II, it has become a leading manufacturer of cars and electronic equipment such as stereos and computers. Along with its status as an economic superpower, Japan is also a country renowned for its strong cultural traditions.
Issues
History According to Japanese tradition, the Japanese state began in 660 BCE with the accession of Emperor Jimmu. Since then, 125 emperors have ruled in a continuous line. By the middle of the 6th century CE, the political power of the emperor was beginning to weaken, as aristocratic clans gained influence and began fighting each other for greater control. This pattern of shogunate (military) rule continued until the 19th century, with the shoguns or military dictators effectively monopolising power, while outwardly maintaining obedience to the emperor. The first European contact came in 1543 when a Spanish Jesuit reached Kyushu and introduced Christianity. But, wary of growing foreign political influence, the Tokugawa Shogunate banned Christianity in the 1630s and closed Japan to foreigners. It was not until 1854 that Japan opened up again to Western powers, after a US naval squadron issued a 'trade or else' ultimatum. The Tokugawa Shogunate failed to respond to the social, economic and political changes that followed, and its power collapsed in 1867. A new government under Emperor Meiji established a centralised administrative structure, with Tokyo as the capital, and Japan set out to establish a modern nation. These changes became known as the "Meiji Restoration". Tension with China over Japan's influence in Korea led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95, which Japan won. It went on to successfully fight Russia for the first time in 1904-05. By the time of Emperor Meiji's death in 1912, Japan had become the strongest military power in Asia. After World War I, Japan sought to consolidate its interests in China, creating a puppet state in Manchuria in 1932, and provoking an armed clash with China in the summer of 1937 (the Manchurian Incident). Under increasing US pressure to withdraw from China, Japan entered World War II in December 1941 with a surprise attack against American military bases at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, killing about 2,500 people. Initially the Japanese made many gains in South East Asia and the south west Pacific, but it was gradually overwhelmed by the US. The US launched two nuclear attacks on Japan in Hiroshima (6 August, 1945) and Nagasaki (9 August, 1945), claiming the lives of more than 210,000 people. Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 and was placed under Allied control until 1952. A new liberal constitution came into effect in 1947, which re-established an elected parliament, removed the emperor's political authority, and abolished Japan's right to lead a war or have an army. Since the end of the war Japan has become one of the world's major economies. Japan joined the UN in 1956 and in 1972 it normalised relations with China. In 1995, relations between Japan and its ally, the US, began to strain after the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old Japanese girl by three US marines stationed in Okinawa. The incident prompted calls for the removal of all US troops from Japanese territories. That same year, Kobe was hit by a massive earthquake leaving 6,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, and the Aum Supreme Truth cult carried out the Sarin nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway, which killed 12 people and injured thousands. Many of Japan's traditions are under pressure, as hierarchical, social and employment customs are challenged by the younger generation. Among the issues that have had to be confronted by modern Japan has been a succession crisis with the monarchy. In 2006, the government looked set to introduce female succession as there had not been a boy born into the royal family in more than 40 years. But the issue was later put on hold, with the surprise news that Princess Kiko, wife of Prince Akishino, was pregnant. She gave birth to a baby boy, preserving the royal family's male succession for another generation. Government Japan is a constitutional monarchy with the emperor as head of state. This is a hereditary postion. The prime minister heads the government, is answerable to parliament, and appoints the cabinet. Japan's parliament, called the Diet, has two houses. The lower house, the House of Representatives, has 512 members who are elected by popular vote every four years. The upper house, the House of Councillors, has 252 members who serve six year terms. Japan has 47 regional administrative divisions or prefectures. Its legal system is modelled on both the English and American systems. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. The Chief Justice is appointed by the emperor, while the remaining 14 Supreme Court judges are appointed by the cabinet. Economy Japan is a world economic power, second only to the United States. It has the world's largest car industry, and is also a leading manufacturer of machine equipment, computers, and home entertainment goods including steroes, videos, DVDs, televisions and cameras. Japan's economy began growing after World War II. It experienced growth of "miracle" proportions in the 1950s and 1960s, with annual growth rates of around 10 per cent. Through the late 1970s and the 1980s the economy continued to grow at about 5 per cent, but it suffered a major setback in the 1990s. A rigid labour market, massive debts in the banking sector and the collapse of property prices threw the country into recession in 1997-98. The economy only began recovering in 2003, with the country embarking on a program of economic and structural reform, including tax reform, as the keys to long-term sustainable growth. Industry is Japan's most important economic sector, employing 30 per cent of the workforce. However, the sector is heavily reliant on imported raw materials and fuel. The agriculture sector is much smaller, and is in decline. Far fewer people are involved in growing food now than a few decades ago and crop production is falling. Main crops include rice, cereals, sugar cane, wheat, barley and potatoes. While Japan is almost self sufficient in rice, it imports other basic staples. Japan has one of the world's largest fishing industries, accounting for about 15 per cent of the total world catch. It is also one of the world's few whaling nations and says it hunts the whales for scientific reasons. Many nations opposed to whaling question that explanation. |
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