nippon

Nippon, also read Nippon-koku, is the Japanese name for the country commonly known in English as Japan. The kanji 日本 literally mean "origin of the sun," a phrase linked to Japan's location to the east of the Asian continent and to solar imagery in Shinto tradition. Both Nippon and Nihon are valid readings of the same characters; Nippon is more often used in formal or branding contexts, while Nihon is common in everyday language.

Geography and demographics: Nippon is an archipelago in East Asia, comprising four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—and numerous smaller ones. The terrain is largely mountainous with many volcanic features. Climate ranges from cool temperate in the north to subtropical in the south. The population is around 125 million, and the capital and largest city is Tokyo.

History and development: Early inhabitants include Jomon and Yayoi cultures. Periods of feudal rule culminated in the Tokugawa shogunate, followed by the Meiji Restoration, which modernized the government and economy. After World War II, Japan adopted a pacifist constitution and rebuilt rapidly, becoming a leading industrial economy. The country now faces demographic challenges, including population aging and decline.

Names, symbols, and usage: Officially, the country is Nihon-koku or Nippon-koku in Japanese. In English, the country is Japan. The term Nippon is widely used in branding, shipping, and sports. State symbols include the Hinomaru flag (a red sun disc) and the national anthem Kimigayo.