Japon

Japon, officially Japan, is an island nation in East Asia. It comprises four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—and numerous smaller ones. The capital and largest city is Tokyo. Japan is a constitutional monarchy with an Emperor as a largely ceremonial head of state and a parliamentary government. The National Diet is bicameral, and the prime minister serves as head of government.

The archipelago features rugged terrain, dense forests, and many volcanoes. It lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes a recurrent risk. Population is heavily concentrated in coastal urban areas, with major metropolitan regions around Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

Historically, Japon developed from Jōmon and Yayoi cultures into a centralized state by the Heian period, followed by feudal rule under shoguns. The Meiji Restoration modernized the government and economy. After World War II, Japan adopted a pacifist constitution and rebuilt rapidly to become a leading global economy.

Japan has a highly developed economy focused on technology, automotive, electronics, and services. It is among the world's largest economies and a member of the G7. Major exports include automobiles and machinery; key trading partners include China and the United States.

The official language is Japanese, written with kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Traditional arts include tea ceremony, ikebana, and theater; Shinto and Buddhism shape religion. Contemporary culture has wide influence through manga, anime, cinema, and design.

The population is about 125 million and aging rapidly. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, with Tokyo Metropolis as the capital and administrative center.