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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 5 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.jp

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

64.453 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 2

Internet users [time series]

99.182 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 3

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 3 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

64.668 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 3

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

132.76 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 7

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.025 trillion expenditures: $2.57 trillion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-9.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 141 0.3% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

1.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 1.48% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$84.7 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $119.1 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.719 trillion (30 June 2011) country comparison to the world: 6 $2.441 trillion (30 September 2010)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

37.6 (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 24.9 (1993)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan develop a technologically advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession three times since 2008. A sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan into recession. Government stimulus spending helped the economy recover in late 2009 and 2010, but the economy contracted again in 2011 as the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake in March disrupted manufacturing. Recovery spending helped boost GDP in early 2012, but slower global economic growth began weakening Japan's export-oriented economy by mid-year. Electricity supplies remain tight because Japan tentatively shut down almost all of its nuclear power plants after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors were crippled by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. Newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo ABE has declared the economy his government's top priority; he has pledged to reconsider his predecessor's plan to permanently close nuclear power plants and has said he will increase stimulus spending and press the Bank of Japan to loosen monetary policy. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2012 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after second-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. The new government will continue a longstanding debate on restructuring the economy and reining in Japan's huge government debt, which exceeds 200% of GDP. Persistent deflation, reliance on exports to drive growth, and an aging and shrinking population are other major long-term challenges for the economy.

Exchange rates [time series]

yen (JPY) per US dollar - 79.42 (2012 est.) 79.81 (2011 est.) 87.78 (2010 est.) 93.57 (2009) 103.58 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$792.9 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $787 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

motor vehicles 13.6%; semiconductors 6.2%; iron and steel products 5.5%; auto parts 4.6%; plastic materials 3.5%; power generating machinery 3.5%

Exports - partners [time series]

China 19.7%, US 15.5%, South Korea 8%, Hong Kong 5.2%, Thailand 4.6% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.984 trillion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$4.617 trillion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $4.516 trillion (2011 est.) $4.551 trillion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.2% industry: 27.5% services: 71.4% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$36,200 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $35,300 (2011 est.) $35,500 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 -0.8% (2011 est.) 4.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 27.5% (2008)

Imports [time series]

$856.9 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $807.6 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

petroleum 15.5%; liquid natural gas 5.7%; clothing 3.9%; semiconductors 3.5%; coal 3.5%; audio and visual apparatus 2.7%

Imports - partners [time series]

China 21.5%, US 8.9%, Australia 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.9%, UAE 5%, South Korea 4.7% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3.5% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 -0.3% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Labor force [time series]

65.27 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 3.9% industry: 26.2% services: 69.8% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$3.541 trillion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.1 trillion (31 December 2010) $3.378 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

16% (2010) note: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) press release, 20 October 2009 (2010)

Public debt [time series]

218.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 205.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.351 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.296 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$14.46 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $13.41 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.025 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $911.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$144.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $144.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$14.65 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $14.64 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$6.735 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $6.637 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

33.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 4.6% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

1.164 billion Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Crude oil - imports [time series]

3.384 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Crude oil - production [time series]

17,480 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

44.12 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - consumption [time series]

859.7 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

63.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

7.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

17.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

284.5 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Electricity - production [time series]

937.6 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

112.6 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - imports [time series]

109.9 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Natural gas - production [time series]

3.298 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

4.464 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

366,800 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

949,800 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

3.861 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 377,915 sq km country comparison to the world: 62 land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Coastline [time series]

29,751 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Fujiyama 3,776 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 88.43 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 690 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location in northeast Asia

Irrigated land [time series]

25,160 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005)

Location [time series]

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons volcanism: both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu

Natural resources [time series]

negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

Terrain [time series]

mostly rugged and mountainous

Total renewable water resources [time series]

430 cu km (1999)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

Capital [time series]

name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

3 May 1947

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John V. ROOS embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Nashville

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012) cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: Diet designates the prime minister; constitution requires that the prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, the leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center

Government type [time series]

a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) half elected every three years; and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet elections: House of Councillors - last held on 11 July 2010 (next to be held in July 2013); House of Representatives - last held on 16 December 2012 (next to be held by 15 December 2016) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - DPJ 31.6%, LDP 24.1%, YP 13.6%, NK 13.1%, JCP 6.1%, SDP 3.8%, others 7.7%; seats by party - DPJ 106, LDP 84, NK 19, YP 11, JCP 6, SDP 4, others 12 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (by proportional representation) - LDP 31.6%, DPJ 16.6%, JRP 22.2%, New Komeito 12.2%, Your Party 7.7%, TRP 3.9%, JCP 4.4%, others 0.56%; seats by party LDP 294, DPJ 57, JRP 54, New Komeito 31, Your Party 18, TPJ 9, JCP 8, others 4, independents 5

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign) lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI note: adopted 1999; in use as unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor

National holiday [time series]

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

National symbol(s) [time series]

red sun disc; chrysanthemum

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Banri KAIEDA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Japan Restoration Party or JRP [Shintaro ISHIHARA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE]; New Komeito or NK [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]; People's New Party or PNP; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA]; Tomorrow Party Japan of TPJ {Yukiko KADA]; Your Party or YP [Yoshimi WATANABE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: business groups; trade unions

Suffrage [time series]

20 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains a major economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killing thousands and damaging several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 27,301,443 females age 16-49: 26,307,003 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 22,390,431 females age 16-49: 21,540,322 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 623,365 female: 591,253 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; Maritime Self-Defense Force mandatory retirement at age 54 (2011)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 13.5% (male 8,927,803/ female 8,268,937) 15-64 years: 62.6% (male 39,850,531/ female 39,909,944) 65 years and over: 23.9% (male 13,097,558/ female 17,313,315) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.39 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 217

Death rate [time series]

9.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 117

Ethnic groups [time series]

Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

8,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

9.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 40

Hospital bed density [time series]

13.75 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 2.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 222 male: 2.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Japanese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 83.91 years country comparison to the world: 3 male: 80.57 years female: 87.43 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2002)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

TOKYO (capital) 36.507 million; Osaka-Kobe 11.325 million; Nagoya 3.257 million; Fukuoka-Kitakyushu 2.809 million; Sapporo 2.673 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 173

Median age [time series]

total: 45.4 years male: 44.1 years female: 46.9 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.1% (2000) country comparison to the world: 65

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.063 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population [time series]

127,368,088 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.077% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Religions [time series]

Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8% note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.39 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 9.1% country comparison to the world: 109 male: 10.1% female: 8% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 67% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting

Transportation

Airports [time series]

175 (2012) country comparison to the world: 34

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 143 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 25 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 28 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

15 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 684 country comparison to the world: 16 by type: bulk carrier 168, cargo 34, carrier 3, chemical tanker 29, container 2, liquefied gas 58, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 152, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle carrier 54 registered in other countries: 3,122 (Bahamas 88, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 23, China 2, Cyprus 16, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 79, Indonesia 8, Isle of Man 19, Liberia 110, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 59, Mongolia 2, Netherlands 1, Panama 2372, Philippines 77, Portugal 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 4, Singapore 164, South Korea 14, Tanzania 1, UK 5, Vanuatu 39, unknown 7) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 4,135 km; oil 171 km; oil/gas/water 53 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama

Railways [time series]

total: 27,182 km country comparison to the world: 11 standard gauge: 4,251 km 1.435-m gauge (4,251 km electrified) dual gauge: 486 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (486 km electrified) narrow gauge: 96 km 1.372-m gauge (96 km electrified); 22,301 km 1.067-m gauge (15,222 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2009)

Roadways [time series]

total: 1,210,251 km country comparison to the world: 5 paved: 973,234 km (includes 7,803 km of expressways) unpaved: 237,017 km (2008)

Waterways [time series]

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010) country comparison to the world: 45