Capital
(and largest city) |
Tokyo (de facto)
35°41′N 139°46′E / 35.683°N 139.767°E / 35.683; 139.767 |
| Official languages |
None[1] |
| Recognised regional languages |
Aynu itak, Eastern Japanese, Western Japanese, Ryukyuan, and several other Japanese dialects |
| National language |
Japanese |
| Ethnic groups |
98.5% Japanese, 0.5% Korean, 0.4% Chinese, 0.6% other |
| Demonym |
Japanese |
| Government |
Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy |
| - |
Emperor |
Akihito |
| - |
Prime Minister |
|
| Legislature |
National Diet |
| - |
Upper House |
House of Councillors |
| - |
Lower House |
House of Representatives |
| Formation |
| - |
National Foundation Day |
February 11, 660 BC |
| - |
Meiji Constitution |
November 29, 1890 |
| - |
Current constitution |
May 3, 1947 |
| - |
Treaty of
San Francisco |
April 28, 1952 |
| Area |
| - |
Total |
377,873 km2 (61st)
145,883 sq mi |
| - |
Water (%) |
0.8 |
| Population |
| - |
2009 estimate |
127,590,000 (10th) |
| - |
2004 census |
127,333,002 |
| - |
Density |
337.6/km2 (30th)
874.4/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) |
2008 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$4.356 trillion(3rd) |
| - |
Per capita |
$34,115 (24th) |
| GDP (nominal) |
2008 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$4.910 trillion (2nd) |
| - |
Per capita |
$38,457 (23rd) |
| Gini |
38.1 (2002) |
| HDI (2007) |
▲ 0.960 (very high) (10th) |
| Currency |
International Symbol ¥ Pronounced (Yen)
Japanese Symbol 円 Pronounced (En) (JPY) |
| Time zone |
JST (UTC+9) |
| Date formats |
yyyy-mm-dd
yyyy年m月d日
Era yy年m月d日 (CE−1988) |
| Drives on the |
left |
| Internet TLD |
.jp |
| Calling code |
81 |
Safety
Japan is considered a country with high seismic risk. The Japanese authorities prepare leaflets explaining the plans to be adopted in case of earthquake, also in English. The main hotels in town have multilingual instructions for foreign clientele. The foreign residents are encouraged to collect information about emergency plans at the offices responsible for the neighborhood.
Areas at risk: not reported any risk zone
Warnings
Although Japan is a safe country, even at night and on public transport, it is always advisable to use normal precautions to safeguard its security. In particular, it is reported that recently experienced an outbreak of robbery against foreigners, after they had taken sleeping pills with alcohol allegedly altered in some local nightlife of Roppongi, Tokyo, and an increase in muggings in the metropolitan area the capital.
Legislation planned for use and / or sale of drugs in Japan is not tolerate any drug use. The sentences are very heavy though in possession of small quantities.
Local law provided for sexual abuse or violence against children: This type of crime is punished with imprisonment.
In case of problems with local police (state detention or arrest), it is advisable to inform the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country for the necessary assistance.
Health situation
Health care in general is very good. Local physicians are trained and well-organized hospitals. But there are difficulties in finding doctors and paramedical staff able to speak foreign languages.
The costs for health care are very high, so you should enter, before undertaking the journey, including health insurance, in addition to covering medical expenses, including any air ambulance repatriation or transfer to another country in case of need.
In an emergency, call an ambulance by dialing from any telephone booth and free telephone number 119 (available 24 hours a 24 in English), communicating their data and address.
Medical services (including first aid) are extra.
|
Japan
