• Japan is an island country in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean.
• Bordered by the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the East China Sea.
• Consists of four major islands and over 14,000 smaller islands.
• Divided into 47 prefectures and eight regions; 75% mountainous and forested.
• Population nearly 123 million as of 2026; Tokyo is the capital.

• First known habitation dates to c. 36,000 BC.
• United under emperors from 4th to 6th centuries.
• Power held by shōgun and daimyō from the 12th century.
• Unified in 1600 by the Tokugawa shogunate; isolationist policies until 1853.
• Rapid industrialization in the Meiji period, annexing Taiwan (1895) and Korea (1910).
• Entered WWII as an Axis power; surrendered in 1945 after atomic bombings.
• Experienced economic growth post-war, then stagnation in the 1990s.

• Constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature (National Diet).
• A developed economy and strong military; renounced war declaration.
• Global leader in automotive, electronics, and robotics industries.
• Known for high life expectancy and diverse culture, including animation, art, and cuisine.

List of newspapers published in Japan.