Tokyo, Japan

1. Tokyo, Japan JosephThornton 8-D

2. Government Government: Parliamentary with constitutional monarchy Prime Minister: Yoshihiko Noda ( elected Aug 2011)

3. Landforms Japan is located in the North Pacific off the coast of Russia and the Korean peninsula. The area of Japan is 377,873km. Japan consists of four main larger islands and more then 4000 smaller islands. The main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The sea of Japan is between the main land of Asia and three of the four major islands of Japan. Japan is over 70% mountainous terrain with 18% of the land mass suitable for settlement. Japanese cities are typically sprawling and densely populated. Japan is very seismically active with over 1,500 earthquakes per year.

4. Language Japanese is the official language of Japan. Many Japanese also have some ability in writing and speaking English as it is a mandatory part of the curriculum in the Japanese educational system. Japanese uses four different writing systems; Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji.

5. Economy The Japanese economy is one of the third largest in the world. Only the USA and China have a higher GNP (Gross National Product). The Japanese currency is the Yen. Exports: Japan’s main export goods are cars, electronic devices and computers. Imports: Japan has a surplus in its export/import balance. The most important import goods are raw materials such as oil, foodstuffs and wood. Manufacturing, construction, distribution, real estate, services, and communication are Japan’s major industries today.

6. NATIONAL hOLIDAY Seijin-no-hi- Coming of Age Day This day is celebrated on the second Monday of January on this day each year, this right of passage is celebrated through out Japan by all those turning 20. These young adults have reached the age of majority and are now legal drinking, smoking and voting age. Each city celebrates this milestone with its own unique ceremony.

7. Tourist attractions • Tokyo • Shinjuku • Mount Fuji • Kyoto • Mount Yoshino

8. Tokyo • Tokyo Japan is the top tourist attraction were you fine the famous Asakusa(Tokyo’s low city districts) the Tokyo Tower and the Disneyland Resort and one of the most popular shrines the Meiji Jingu.

9. Shinjuku, a massive, crowded skyscraper district within Tokyo. Shinjuku has three main components: offices, shopping and nightlife. A city good for shopping having a drink at the New York Bar and taking in the city-wide views. Shinjuku

10. Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain as well as an active volcano and one of Japans most famous tourist attraction with more then 15,000 visitors per year. The mountain is located to the west of Tokyo on the main island Honshu.

11. Kyoto • Kyoto is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful places in Japan, and it’s the place to absorb the maximum amount of architectural beauty, culture and history by visiting ancient temples and serene.

12. Mount Yoshino Mount Yoshino is famous for its cherry blossom in Japan it features 30,000 cherry blossom tress which blossom over an extended period. Yoshino gets many visitors from all over the world just to see its cherry blossoms.

13. InterestingFacts • Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan. • Japan is the largest automobile producer in the world. • Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is an active volcano. • A nice musk melon, similar to a cantaloupe, may sell for over $300us. • Sumo is Japan’s national sport, although baseball is also very popular. • When you use the restroom in some one’s home, you may need to put on special bathroom slippers so as not to contaminate the rest of the home. • When moving into an apartment it is often required to give the landlord a “gift” of money equal to two month’s rent.

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