Introducing Japan
Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun Overview
Most people don’t realize that Japan is an Archipelago. There are over 6,800 islands in Japan. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. The other islands only account for 3% of Japan’s land mass; they are mountainous and some are still volcanic.
Japan has been inhabited for over 30,000 years. It has the world’s second largest economy and ranks fourth in world exports and sixth in imports. The people in Japan live longer than any other culture and the country has the third lowest mortality rate. Japan is located in the area of the Pacific Ocean known as the “Ring of Fire,” which accounts for the unusually high number of tremors, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions that have affected the islands for centuries. Japan has a reputation for balancing economics with environmental issues and has become one of the world’s leaders in developing environmental technologies.
Japan in a Few Words
The culture of Japan has spread around the world. Every modern country and culture is familiar with stories of Samurai warriors and Geishas dressed in flowing silk Kimonos. Japanese tea and herbs crowd the shelves of stores around the globe, and Japanese automobiles are in the driveways and garages of families from every walk of life. This small country has a major influence on the world’s economy. Japan helps set the standard for self-reliance and environmental responsibility and continues to develop new technologies that improve the quality of life in every culture. Visiting Japan is an experience that can only be described as a modern-day adventure inspired by an ancient, yet progressive civilization.
Japan Photos
