| JAPAN - FACTS AND FIGURES |
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| Capital |
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Tokyo |
| Location |
: |
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. |
| Total Area |
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377,835 sq km |
| Climate |
: |
Varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north |
| Population |
: |
128 million, Japanese 98.40 %, Chinese 0.5 %, Korean 0.4% Other ethnic group 0.7% |
| Government Type |
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Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government |
| Official Languages |
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Japanese |
| Religions |
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Observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84 %, other 16 %(including Christian 0.7%) |
| Currency |
: |
Yen (JPY) |
| Country Code |
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+81 |
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| GENERAL |
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it borders China, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the East China Sea. It is an archipelago of 6,852 islands, most of which are mountainous and many are volcanic. The government system is a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy. The chief of state is the Emperor and the head of government is the Prime Minister. Japan has a market economy in which the price of goods and services are determined in a free price system. Japan is a member of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and a forum for the governments of eight of the world’s largest economies (G8). |
| LOCAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE |
| SPECIAL BELIEFS |
| Visitors to Japan should be aware of the following special beliefs : |
- The numbers ‘four’ should not be given, since the reading of 4(Shi) suggest death (Shi). The number nine should also be avoided as one of the reading of 9(Ku) associates suffering (Ku).
- In the Shinto way, Japanese pay special attention to ensuring favourable outcomes during life on earth.
- At funerals typically wear black or dark clothes, with all black as preferable, at least black neckties in hastening. For women the only jewellery considered acceptable is pearls, due to understated nature.
- Smiling can be seen as a sign of nervousness or embarrassment, rather than happiness
- New Year’s Day (1. January) is considered more important than Christmas, which is hardly celebrated at all. Japanese companies work on 25. December.
- Courtesy, respect, honour and patience are important traits.
- The practice of bowing is used in greeting, departing, expressing gratitude and apologising.
- An apology for any transgression, no matter how small, is seen as an act of extreme humility, far more than in western countries.
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| When interacting with Japanese people, don’t : |
- Use colloquialisms or jokes, as these will probably not be understood.
- Initiate discussions about Japanese atrocities committed over the last century.
- Pat someone on the back, or put an arm around the shoulders of another.
- Practise male-female shows of affection in public.
- Point your feet at anyone when seated on the floor, or when seated on a chair with your legs crossed.
- Have a custom of “Ladies First “.
- Use your cell phone on trains or buses.
- Chew gum when working or in other formal situations.
- Use the American ‘OK’ sign (thumb and forefinger curled in an ‘O’). This designates money.
- Use expansive arm movements or aggressive facial expressions.
- Point with the forefinger; rather use the open palm of the hand.
- Use a crooked index finger to beckon someone; rather use the standard Asian method of flapping your hand, palm down.
- Blow your nose in the room, leave the room, or at the very least try face away from other people and use a tissue, not a handkerchief.
- Pour your own drink when eating with others. Your pour your companion’s drink and your companion pour yours. If you do not want any more to drink, leave your glass full.
- Enter an occupied meeting room without first knocking on the door. This applies even when returning to the room after a short absence.
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