Japan

GEOGRAPHY

Japan is a series of islands in Eastern Asia east of Korea in the North Pacific Ocean (36 00 N, 138 00 E).

Total area of the islands: 377,835 sq km.
US Total area is: 9,631,418 sq km.  (just to compare)  Japan is actually slightly smaller than California.

The climate is tropical in the south and cool temperate in the North.

PEOPLE

As of July 2004, the estimates of Japan's population is 127,333,002 people.  Of these people, approximately 99% are Japanese and the main languages spoken is Japanese.

GOVERNMENT

There are 47 prefectures in Japan.  (Kanazawa is in the Ishikawa-Prefecture)

The capital of Japan is Tokyo.

As of this October 1st 2004, the country is run by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the chief of state is Emperor Akihito.  The government in Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government.

ECONOMY

Japan's GDP is $3.582 trillion (a 2003 estimate).
Trades a great deal with the U.S., China, and South Korea. 
Their currency is the Yen.
The exchange rate average in 2003 for yen per US dollar was 115.933.
This means that $1 = 115.933 yen.

Important NOTES:
-Electricity is 100 volts.  US is 120 volts.  If you bring any electrical appliances, make sure they work properly, or ask someone that knows more.

-For currency conversion, go here (xe.com).

-You may need a visa!!  For US nationals, if you are staying less than 90 days, you do not need one.  Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan for more information.

-Most of the people that went on this study abroad were fine with the food.  If you happen to be the few, there are plenty of American style restaurants and food sold in grocery stores.

-Please learn Japanese etiquette before coming to Japan!  Japan's culture is very different, and they things like this even more seriously in Japan than you might have experienced here.  A good way to learn this stuff is to just check online.

-Transportation in Japan is generally expensive but very nice.  The national JR train lines (Japan Rail) can take you almost anywhere in Japan.  Japan also has many major airports that you can use.  If you want to check out times and prices to travel in Japan, check out Hyperdia.

-The best information to get complete information about Japan and visiting Japan is probably at the Consuate General of Japan.

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