What is Japan: Definition and 68 Discussions

Japan (Japanese: 日本, Nippon [ɲippoꜜɴ] (listen) or Nihon [ɲihoꜜɴ] (listen)) is an island country in East Asia, located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north toward the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. Part of the Ring of Fire, Japan spans an archipelago of 6852 islands covering 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 sq mi); the five main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Tokyo is Japan's capital and largest city; other major cities include Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kobe, and Kyoto.
Japan is the eleventh-most populous country in the world, as well as one of the most densely populated and urbanized. About three-fourths of the country's terrain is mountainous, concentrating its population of 125.47 million on narrow coastal plains. Japan is divided into 47 administrative prefectures and eight traditional regions. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with more than 37.4 million residents.
Japan has been inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic period (30,000 BC), though the first written mention of the archipelago appears in a Chinese chronicle finished in the 2nd century AD. Between the 4th and 9th centuries, the kingdoms of Japan became unified under an emperor and the imperial court based in Heian-kyō. Beginning in the 12th century, political power was held by a series of military dictators (shōgun) and feudal lords (daimyō), and enforced by a class of warrior nobility (samurai). After a century-long period of civil war, the country was reunified in 1603 under the Tokugawa shogunate, which enacted an isolationist foreign policy. In 1854, a United States fleet forced Japan to open trade to the West, which led to the end of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial power in 1868. In the Meiji period, the Empire of Japan adopted a Western-modeled constitution and pursued a program of industrialization and modernization. In 1937, Japan invaded China; in 1941, it entered World War II as an Axis power. After suffering defeat in the Pacific War and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered in 1945 and came under a seven-year Allied occupation, during which it adopted a new constitution. Under the 1947 constitution, Japan has maintained a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, the National Diet.
Japan is a great power and a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations (since 1956), the OECD, and the Group of Seven. Although it has renounced its right to declare war, the country maintains Self-Defense Forces that rank as one of the world's strongest militaries. After World War II, Japan experienced record growth in an economic miracle, becoming the second-largest economy in the world by 1990. As of 2021, the country's economy is the third-largest by nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by PPP. A global leader in the automotive and electronics industries, Japan has made significant contributions to science and technology. Ranked "very high" on the Human Development Index, Japan has the world's highest life expectancy, though it is experiencing a decline in population. The culture of Japan is well known around the world, including its art, cuisine, music, and popular culture, which encompasses prominent animation and video game industries.

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  1. Astronuc

    M7.5 Earthquake, near Anamizu, W Japan

    An earthquake struck at 4:10 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), around 42 kilometers (26 miles) northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). M 7.5 - 42 km NE of Anamizu, Japan...
  2. H

    Music Today's Fusion Music: T Square, Cassiopeia, Rei & Kanade Sato

    The musical style called fusion lasted only a few years in the West but caught on in Japan. I supposed that's natural for a nation whose symbol is a fusion-fueled fireball. The exponents were T Square and Cassiopeia, which are getting pretty old but still doing it. Their influence was mostly...
  3. H

    Art What makes Japan's synchronized dance culture so astonishing?

    It seems that everyone can move in sync in Japan, even little kids. I've wondered, what would happen if they practiced really hard and took it to the max? Now we know. Listen to that crowd roar. Wow. And these are amateurs. That's just the way it is over there. They do everything this way.
  4. gmax137

    7.3 Magnitude Quake Hits North Japan

    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-16/7-3-magnitude-quake-hits-north-japan-tsunami-alert-issued
  5. davenn

    What Caused the M 7.0 Earthquake in NE Honshu, Japan?

    A preliminary Mw7.0, NE Honshu, Japan. Approx in the Sendai area It is right on the coast My seismo My Seismograms (sydneystormcity.com) M 7.0 - 27 km ENE of Ishinomaki, Japan (usgs.gov)
  6. Astronuc

    M 7.1 - 70 km ENE of Namie, Japan

    https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000dher/executive https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000dher/region-info Date & Time: 2021-02-13 14:07:50 (UTC) Latitude: 37.754°N, Longitude: 141.723°E Depth: 50.6 km Namie, Fukushima, Japan 70.4 km (43.7 mi) WSW Close to...
  7. BillTre

    Pre-Eukaryotic Cells of the Asgard Superphylum Cultured in Japan

    The origin of advanced eukaryotic cells (that make up all higher organisms (protists, plants, fungi, animals)) have been hypothesized to involve an archaeal cell internalizing a formerly free living alphaproteobacterium. PF threads on this are here and here. Japanese researchers have isolated...
  8. DarMM

    Quantum Interpretations of QM in different countries

    More a sociological question. I was talking to a former Japanese colleague by email recently and he mentioned that the Copenhagen interpretation is almost universally accepted there. I already knew Huzihiro Araki and many other researchers from Japan in mathematical field theory take a fairly...
  9. YoungPhysicist

    Insights An Introduction to the Traditional Abacus of China and Japan - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new blog post An Introduction to the Traditional Abacus of China and Japan Continue reading the Original Blog Post.
  10. Astronuc

    Mag 6.7 earthquake near Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan

    USGS reports M 6.6 - 27km E of Tomakomai, Japan 2018-09-05 18:07:58 UTC 42.671°N, 141.933°E 33.4 km depth https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000h8ty#executivePowerful M6.7 earthquake rocks Hokkaido, causing massive landslides; nine dead and 31 reported missing...
  11. LastStarDust

    Hello from Italy

    Hello to everybody! I am an Italian boy who is about to graduate at "La Sapienza" University of Rome with a Master's Degree thesis in theoretical cosmology. I signed up at this forum because I am facing an important choice for my future and I really need a piece of advice from someone with more...
  12. LastStarDust

    Physics Ph.D. and career prospects in Japan

    Hello to everybody! I am writing this post because I am facing an important choice for my future and I really need a piece of advice from someone with more experience about the "scientific world" than me. I am an Italian boy who is about to graduate at "La Sapienza" University of Rome with a...
  13. anorlunda

    Residential Fuel Cells: Japan vs US/EU

    For several years, I've been seeing mention of growing number of residential fuel cells in Japan. But in the USA and the EU, hardly a mention. Does anyone know why the puzzling discrepancy? The American company Plug Power has been pushing fuel cells since 1997, but their penetration seems...
  14. StevieTNZ

    Japan Earthquake 22.11.2016

    Quite recent, so updates will follow. Over the radio in NZ, it is said a tsunami warning has been issued. Magnitude 7.3 at the moment, possibly be revised. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/86723022/big-earthquake-near-japan
  15. Astronuc

    Two Mag 6.0 earthquakes off NE coast, Iwate, Japan

    Strong 6.0 quake hits northern Japan: USGS https://www.yahoo.com/news/japan-hit-6-0-magnitude-quake-no-tsunami-095210913.html The two Mag 6 earthquakes were preceded by a mag 5.3 and followed by two Mag 5.3 earthquakes. Two Mag 6.0...
  16. StevieTNZ

    Magnitude-6.5 earthquake - Southern Japan

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/78950651/strong-quakes-hit-southern-japan-nuclear-plants-safe-dozens-injured
  17. Thinkingmachine

    A A new invention but no completed

    I am doing business with a Japanese partner to help japanese people to remain safe during earthquakes which require building a small metallic shelter in their homes, it should stand the destruction during an earthquake. My question, what metal is the right choice? :oldconfused: It must have...
  18. Astronuc

    6.7 Mag Earthquake near Makurazaki, Japan (E. China Sea)

    Strong 7.0-magnitude quake hits off Japan coast: USGS http://news.yahoo.com/strong-7-0-magnitude-quake-hits-off-japan-211816995.html USGS apparently reports 6.7 Mag http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us10003y71#general_summary M6.7 - 144km WSW of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-11-13...
  19. T

    5 wire Japan Servo AS27278

    Hello there! I have here a servo motor - Japan Servo AS27278 but don't have any idea about it. I make some researches on uncle Google about this model or kind of motor and fortunately I was redirected in here. Hoping somebody out here on this site knows and have knowledge about this kind and...
  20. Astronuc

    Eruption of Mount Aso, Kyushu, Japan

    Japan warns tourists on Mount Aso after eruption http://news.yahoo.com/japan-warns-tourists-mount-aso-eruption-031922592.html# http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=282110 http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=85090...
  21. davenn

    M 8.5 quake S of Japan coming in now

    Prelim report 8.5 166km WNW of Chichi-shima, Japan 2015-05-30, 11:23:00 UTC, 696.0 km Deep http://www.sydneystormcity.com/seismograms.htm At almost 700km, this extremely deep and will result in a significant lack of surface waves Dave
  22. Astronuc

    What happened during the Mount Ontake eruption in Japan?

    Mount Ontake in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, erupted abruptly while over two hundred people were on the summit. A hiker captures video of group overtaken by ash during Mt. Ontake volcano eruption. They were apparently pelted by rocks/pebbles...
  23. Greg Bernhardt

    Fukushima Japan Earthquake: nuclear plants Fukushima part 2

    Part 1 can be found here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=480200 Magnitude-5.3 earthquake hits Japan's Fukushima http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/19/japan-fukushima-nuclear-plant/2835493/
  24. E

    Wasan, and the development of Analysis in Japan

    I am writing an article on the development of Japanese mathematics during Japan's Sakoku, (closed from the world) period. While going through a book (http://2020ok.com/books/42/a-history-of-japanese-mathematics-41542.htm), I came to know about how Seki Kowa, and then later Takebe, developed what...
  25. gmax137

    How is Japan generating electricity

    With all but one of the Japanese nuclear plants offline (and the last one due to shut down in early May), how are the utilities continuing to meet demand? I read in various places statements such as "Japan has been importing unprecedented amounts of coal, oil and natural gas, resulting in...
  26. M

    Fukushima Fukushima and the dangers of going to Japan

    So I admittedly am not hugely knowledgeable about Nuclear energy and radiation which is why I decided to post on here. I am planning on moving to Japan at the end of September as I thought the area I'm going to was not threatened by radiation enough to be a problem based on information I found...
  27. C

    Japan Earthquake: nuclear plants - Daini (Plant 2)

    http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120209007089.htm [Broken] "Fukushima No. 2 plant was 'near meltdown'" http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2012/01/japanese-expert-says-fukushima-ii-not-i.html "Just In: Japanese Expert Says Fukushima II (not I) Nuke Plant's Containment Vessel Has Been Damaged by...
  28. S

    Did the US have to drop the A-bombs on Japan?

    [Mentor's note: these posts were split off from jduster's "best/worst US presidents" thread to keep that thread from being derailed completely from its original topic.]How could anyone praise Truman the destroyer of Hiroshima and Nagaski to impress the Soviets with American Might.
  29. B

    Japan Tsunami Junk Floating Towards Hawaii

    See: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/20-million-tons-debris-japan-tsunami-moving-toward-143640503.html Up to 20 million tons of debris from Japan’s tsunami moving toward Hawaii By Laura Rozen Senior Foreign Affairs Reporter Some 5 to 20 million tons of debris--furniture, fishing...
  30. G

    Writing a e-mail to someone in Japan

    I been trying to look into e-mail etiquette in Japanese culture. I do not speak Japanese actually. The person I was refereed to did reply in English. I was wondering if last name-san is sufficient or do I need something else. I am trying to purchase a metal that they only forge for my...
  31. Astronuc

    News Japan to Replace PM Kan Next Week

    Japan likely to replace unpopular PM Kan next week http://news.yahoo.com/japan-likely-replace-unpopular-pm-kan-next-week-101428334.html Folks seem to disatisfied with Kan's administration and the government response to Fukushima event and recovery in the wake of the Great Tohoku Earthquake...
  32. R

    Japan radiation causing tornadoes?

    Is it possible? Sorry if it's a dumb question, but can radiation in the jet stream from Japan cause severe weather? Is that possible? I've been looking at weather radar a lot lately and I've never seen such activity on such a large scale, and it seems rather isolated in the jet stream area...
  33. J

    Fukushima Japan earthquake - contamination & consequences outside Fukushima NPP

    The french IRSN just released a new report concerning the estimated contamination around DAICHI, i extract this map for the Cs contamination based on SPEEDI/MEXT estimations. The complete report is here (french)...
  34. T

    Career Options in Japan for Physics Major

    Hi everyone, just kind of a general question here. I'm a physics major undergrad at Texas Christian University. I'm also minoring in Japanese, and will be close to proficient in the language by the time I graduate, including hiragana, katakana, and kanji writing systems. In general, in the scope...
  35. L

    Fukushima Fukushima, Japan – Constructing an Effective First Response

    There is much that I do not know specifically about this incident or about TEPCO’s policies and procedures for these events. I am not interested in assigning blame. Japan has authorities to handle that. A great deal of reconstruction, establishing timelines, evaluating communications, etc...
  36. J

    Japan Earthquake: Political Aspects

    The "more political thread" besides "Japan Earthquake: nuclear plants" scientific one As agreed with PF Mentor Borek, i start this new thread which intends to be a complement to the big and permanently updated "Japan Earthquake: nuclear plants" thread (which started here...
  37. S

    Fukushima Fukushima plant - should I leave Japan?

    There is so much conflicting information so I hope it's okay to post here and ask the experts(I'm assuming you're experts). I live 180 km south east of Tokyo and don't know how far I should trust the media and government. Two of my friends have decided to leave the area with their children and...
  38. Evo

    Dog in Japan stays by the side of its ailing friend in the rubble

    Don't worry, the dogs were rescued, but the one is in really bad shape. I hope they are reunited. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/dog-in-japan-stays-by-the-side-of-its-ailing-friend-in-the-rubble [Broken]
  39. G

    Question about spent fuel rod cooling pools in Japàn reactor

    Could anyone who actually works on this kind of thing answer a couple of questions about the current situation in Japans nuclear crisis : Is it true that cooling pools for spent fuel rods are stored on the rooves of these reactors ? If so we see two of these rooves have been blown off - so...
  40. S

    Is a criticality event possible in the Japan nuclear crisis?

    I keep hearing how it is not as serious as Chernobyl and many other conclusions.. but I see a siituation that keeps getting worse.. 4 reactors in danger of melting down, exploding fission materials. What is it going to take to get it under control? With most workers sent home due to...
  41. S

    Japan Radioactivity Spreading to West Coast of US

    There is a lot of speculation about this. Is that really possible? It is being proposed that after meltdown and release the nuclear material will enter the Jet Stream and be in west Coast US in a few days. Personally I find it hard to swallow. I mean we exploded two nuclear devices over...
  42. J

    Nuclear Fission Q&A: Japan Disaster & Fuel Rods

    I have a question about nuclear fission reactors. If the reaction is stopped, then why do the fuel rods continue to heat up after being exposed to air to the point where it could cause a meltdown. Thank you Jim
  43. J

    News Why is there no looting in Japan?

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/edwest/100079703/why-is-there-no-looting-in-japan/ I had the same question even before seeing many blogs on this. I agree with the blogger of this article - solidarity seems especially strong in Japan. Kudos to the Japanese.
  44. M

    Japan Nuclear Crisis: US Impact

    the article at http://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-leaked-radiation-from-japan-wont-hurt-us-2011-03-13 says that the radiationw ont affect the US but id ont think its correct as nuclear radiation can move aorund at fas rate to go to atleast he coastal areas of U.S any opinions?
  45. gmax137

    Japan Earthquake: Nuclear Plants at Fukushima Daiichi

    Does anyone have any reliable info on the nuclear plants - the reports on the news seem garbled to me. Edit by Borek: To All: Please stick to technical aspects and to things happening at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP. There are several other threads discussing different aspects of the...
  46. L

    8.9 earthquake in Japan: tsunami warnings

    8.9 earthquake in Japan: tsunami warnings
  47. Mk

    Japan building space-based power plant

    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aF3XI.TvlsJk [Broken] http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=why-not-spend-21-billion-on-solar-p-2009-09-02 Well this should be interesting. Japan is one of the leading nations in nuclear power and is not afraid...
  48. H

    Japan Radiation months following Bombing in WWII

    My father was in WWII and got deployed to Japan within weeks after the bombs were dropped. What is the possibility that he suffered any radiation effects? He was 28 at the time and died when he was 43 - I always wondered if any of his illnesses were a result of being in Japan at that time and...
  49. J

    News U.S.A. must sell Alaska to Korea and Japan

    International financial crisis due to a simple fact the debtor can not pay their debt. so someone must lose money. only big money holder can lose such a big money. who is a bing money holder? Asian central bank. but Asian centural bank has no reason to lose their money. the Debtor must...
  50. F

    A problem regarding momentum(from an entrance exam to Uni in Japan)

    a problem regarding momentum(from an entrance exam to Uni in Japan)(editted) Homework Statement Homework Equations In the space ,A rocket with mass M moving with constant velocity of V with no external force acting on it. 1) after sometime, the rocket release the fuel mass...
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