Here we are with another blog on the series “KNOW OUR WORLD”. In this blog, we will talk about a country, globally famous worldwide for its “traditional arts, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging”, i.e., Japan.
Japan is a group of islands in the Western Pacific, off the coast of China. The four biggest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The biggest of these islands, Honshu, has the most people. Honshu is the 7th largest island in the world.
Major Statistics:
Let’s discuss some important aspects of this country first.
- Official Name: Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku means “State of Japan”.
- Capital city: Tokyo
- Religion: Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s two major religions
- National Anthem: Kimigayo
- Language: Japanese
- Currency: Japanese Yen
- National Flower: The Yellow Chrysanthemum (considered by a majority; not official)
- National Bird: Green Pheasant (considered by a majority; not official)
- National Flag:
The national flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner bearing a crimson-red disc at its center. This flag is officially called Nisshōki (the “flag of sun”) but is more commonly known in Japan as Hinomaru ( the “circle of the sun”). It embodies the country’s sobriquet: Land of the Rising Sun.
- National Day: 3 November (“Culture Day” remembering the constitution, culture, and heritage)
Geography:
Japan is on the Asian continent. Japan is a chain of islands along the eastern coast of Asia, reaching from the northern coast of Russia to the South East China Sea.
- Largest state (by area): Hokkaido
- Smallest state (by area): Kagawa
- Major mountain peaks: Mount Fuji located on the island of Honshū, is the highest mountain in Japan, standing 3,776.24 meters (12,389.2 ft). It is also the second-highest volcano on earth.
Polity:
- Prime Minister: His Excellency Shinzō Abe
- Japan is the oldest monarchy in the world and has an emperor. Naruhito, the reigning emperor, is Japan’s 126th emperor, in Japanese called ‘tenno’. The emperor’s wife is Empress Masako. The imperial palace is in Tokyo and this is the main residence of the imperial family. The crown is usually handed down from father to his son or grandson. Naruhito was crowned in May 2019, after his father, Emperor Akihito, stepped down.
- First Prime Minister: Itō Hirobumi
Some Interesting Facts:
- Japan consists of over 6,800 islands.
- Japan has a ‘suicide forest’ and it is known as ‘the perfect place to die’.
- Anime (i.e.: Animated Japanese films and television shows) account for 60% of the world’s animation-based entertainment.
- Japanese farmers grow Square shape watermelons for easier stack and store.
- Japanese trains are among the world’s most punctual: it’s average delay is just 18 seconds.
- Japan is famous for its immaculate gardens, which are meticulously planned and maintained and are considered a high art.
- The world’s largest seafood market is the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, Japan.
- The bow is an important form of greeting in Japan, and Japanese people work hard to perfect it.
- Japan has the World’s Deepest Underwater Postbox.
So, this is all for this blog. We’ll keep updating you with such interesting blogs in future as well so that you don’t face any difficulty while appearing for competitive exams such as SSC CHSL, NET JRF, etc.
In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the country Canada. Click here to Know Country – ‘USA’.
