General information

Capital : Tokyo (7.961 million)

Population : 126.2 million as of 1999

Area : 145,868.72 sq. miles (377,800 sq. kilometers). size of California

Major japanese islands : Honshu , Hokkaido , Kyushu , and Shikoku

Official languages : Japanese

Currency : Yen

Main cities :   Tokyo (7.961 million), Yokohama (3.317million), Osaka (2.601 million), Nagoya (2.151 million)

Government

Form : Constitutional monarchy

Head of state : Emperor (His Majesty Emperor Akihito)

Head of government : Prime Minister

Legislature : the House of Representatives (500 seats, 4-year- term) the House of Councilors (252 seats, 6-year term)

Executive : Parliamentary Cabinet System

Judiciary : Supreme Court

National economy

GDP : $ 3,969 billion as of 1998 

Per capital income : $31,391 as of 1998 

Imports : $338 billion (1997)

Exports : $420 billion (1997)

Industries :  Computers, electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, steel....

Main exports : Computers, electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, steel....

Transportation : Motor Vehicle Owned : 73,688,389 (1998)

People

Major religions : Buddhism and Shintoism.