Portal:Japan

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Japan Portal

Hinomaru: Flag of Japan
Japanese passports bear the Coat of Arms of the Imperial Family
Japan lies east of continental Asia.

Japan is an island nation off the east coast of continental Asia. Its four largest islands are (in order by area) Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū, and Shikoku. These islands make up 99% of Japan's area. It is divided into 47 prefectures, of which Tokyo, home to the government and Emperor, is the most famous. The nation's government is the Diet, consisting of an upper house, the House of Councillors, and a lower house, the House of Representatives, which designate the cabinet, headed by the prime minister. Each prefecture has an elected governor and a separately elected legislature. The Constitution establishes the Emperor as a symbol of the nation.

Early texts trace the country's legendary foundation to Emperor Jimmu, while the written history of Japan begins with a mention in early Chinese records of the land of Wa (the name given to ancient Japan by the Chinese), which was said to be divided into 100 separate kingdoms, one of which, the kingdom of Na, sent an envoy to Emperor Guāng Wǔ in 57 A.D. The Shinto religion is native to Japan, and Buddhism, which came from Korea and China, developed further in the islands. The philosophy of Confucianism played a major role in shaping the country's thoughts, institutions, ethics, and personal relationships.

Japan's rich tradition of performing arts includes Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku. Its literature includes The Tale of Genji (a novel dating from the 11th century) and waka and haiku poetic forms. The arts of Japan encompass sculpture, painting, woodblock prints, calligraphy and manga. The world has embraced Japan's modern manga, film, anime, video games, and J-pop.

The powerful economic engine of Japan includes manufacturing enterprises such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Matsushita, and Sony. Its financial services providers compete internationally in banking and insurance. The construction, shipping, and fishing industries are worldwide in scope. The nation's imports include energy and food. Governmental agencies involved with the economy include the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Bank of Japan.

Featured articleedit

Tokugawa Yoshinobu, c.1867
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Tokugawa Yoshinobu, c.1867
Emperor Meiji, in 1873.
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Emperor Meiji, in 1873.

The Boshin War was a civil war fought from 1868 to 1869 between forces of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those favorable to the restoration of the Emperor Meiji. Military movements by imperial forces and partisan violence in Edo, led Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the sitting shogun, to launch a military campaign to seize the emperor's court at Kyoto. The military tide rapidly turned in favor of the smaller but relatively modernized imperial faction, and after a series of battles culminating in the surrender of Edo, Yoshinobu personally surrendered. The Tokugawa remnant retreated to northern Honshū and later Hokkaidō, where they declared a republic. Defeat at the Battle of Hakodate broke this last holdout and left the imperial rule supreme throughout the whole of Japan, completing the military phase of the Meiji Restoration.

Around 120,000 men were mobilized during the conflict, and of these about 3,500 were killed. In the end, the victorious imperial faction abandoned its objective to expel foreigners from Japan and instead adopted a policy of continued modernization with an eye to eventual renegotiation of the Unequal Treaties with the Western powers. Due to the persistence of Saigō Takamori, a prominent leader of the imperial faction, the Tokugawa loyalists were shown clemency, and many former shogunal leaders were later given positions of responsibility under the new government.

The Boshin War testifies to the advanced state of modernization already achieved by Japan barely fourteen years after its opening to the West, the already high involvement of Western nations (especially Great Britain and France) in the country's politics, and the rather turbulent installation of Imperial power. Over time, the war has been romanticized by Japanese and others who view the Meiji Restoration as a "bloodless revolution," despite the number of casualties. Various dramatizations of the war have been made in Japan, and elements of the conflict were incorporated into the 2003 American film The Last Samurai.

Japan in Picturesedit

This variety of lotus is grown from seeds found in a Yayoi period site.
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This variety of lotus is grown from seeds found in a Yayoi period site.

Lighthouse in Ōsezaki, Nagasaki Prefecture

Bamboo at Tenryū-ji

Did you know... edit

From Wikipedia's newest Japan-related articles:

... that The Dancing Girl (Maihime) was Mori Ogai's first major novel? Based on Mori's own experiences as a student of medicine in Germany, the novel is the account of the star-crossed romance between a German dancing girl and a Japanese exchange student who must choose between his career and his feelings for the dancer. The tale foreshadows Madama Butterfly, but with a slight role reversal: in The Dancing Girl it is a Japanese man who leaves a Western woman.

... that on November 7, the deadly 2006 Saroma tornado struck the town of Saroma in Hokkaidō? It killed nine people injured 26, mostly at the work site for a tunnel, where the storm swept over prefabricated housing that was being used by workers. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the tornado is the deadliest ever recorded in Japan. It also took out power to approximately 600 homes and destroyed 40 separate buildings. The Japan Meteorological Agency estimates a wind speed for the tornado at more than F2 on the Fujita scale.

... that Kira Yoshinaka was a samurai who held the honorary title of Kōzuke no Suke (Vice-governor of Kozuke Province)? He is famous as the adversary of Asano Naganori in the events of the Forty-seven Ronin. As a kōke, Kira oversaw matters of protocol. In 1701, he was assigned the task of tutoring Asano Naganori in matters of protocol in preparation for an upcoming visit by representatives of the Emperor. On the day when the envoys were scheduled to meet the shogun, at Edo Castle, Asano drew his short sword and attempted to kill Kira. For this, he was sentenced to commit seppuku. On January 30, 1703 (December 14, 15th year of Genroku according to the Japanese calendar), Asano's retainers broke into Kira's mansion and killed him in revenge.

... that the E531 series is an electrical multiple unit used by East Japan Railway Company on the Jōban Line? The stock supports both direct current and alternating current, and can run at speeds of up to 130 km/h in service.

... that the extensive list of anime distributed by TV Tokyo includes Azumanga Daioh, Excel Saga, Love Hina, and Naruto?

... that Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., the trust banking arm of Mizuho Financial Group, is the second-biggest financial services company in Japan? The bank's predecessors include Yasuda Trust & Banking Co., Ltd., Fuji Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Japan. The principal shareholder, Mizuho Financial Group, holds 69.9%.

... that Shō Shōken was a Ryūkyūan scholar and governmental official? Shō wrote the first history of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, "Mirror of Chūzan", and enacted a number of practical political reforms aimed at improving Ryūkyū's prosperity and dignity in the eyes of China and Japan. A member of the yukachu class class of scholars, he began compiling the Mirror of Chūzan in 1650, by the orders of the king Shō Shitsu. His writings, in particular the Mirror of Chūzan, indicate a favor for the lords of Satsuma. He worked to sideline the royalty, and the yuta (female priestesses central to Ryūkyū native religion). Shō was a pragmatist and a strong believer in Confucianism. One of the most influential leaders and reformers of the Ryūkyū kingdom, Shō Shōken stepped down from his post in 1673 and died two years later.

... that Ikkō Narahara is a Japanese photographer from Fukuoka? In an exhibition, "Domains", he showed a Trappist monastery in Tobetsu (Hokkaidō), and a women's prison in Wakayama. His overseas experiences include stays in Paris and in New York. Narahara often uses wide angle lenses, even hemispherical-coverage ("circular") fisheye lenses, and depicts isolated communities and extreme conditions. His honors include the Photographer of the Year Award from the Japan Photo Critics Association.

... that the The Kabe Line is a rail line operated by JR West within the city of Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan? It connects Hiroshima Station and Kabe Station.

... that Bandō Tamasaburō V is a popular kabuki actor who specializes in playing the roles of women?

... that Hajime Hosokawa was the doctor at Chisso Corporation's plant who first described Minamata disease, which the photograph Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath made famous?

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Japan

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Japan Quiz!edit

Test your knowledge of Japan.

This famous ghost story originated as a kabuki play by Tsuruya Nanboku IV. In it, the victim, Oiwa, is given poison by her husband, who wishes to marry a beautiful young woman. The poison makes her hair fall out, and her eye swell. She later dies, and haunts her husband.

Name the ghost story.

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Japan Topics

Japan topics edit
History Paleolithic, Jomon, Yayoi, Yamato, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, Azuchi-Momoyama, Edo, Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei
Government
& politics		 Emperor (list), Prime Minister (list), Cabinet, Ministries, Diet, House of Councillors, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Elections, Political parties, Fiscal policy, Foreign policy, Foreign relations, Human rights, Military
Geography Environment, Regions, Prefectures, Cities, Districts, Towns, Villages, Addresses, Islands, Lakes, Rivers
Economy Primary sector, Manufacturing, Labor, Communications, Transportation, Currency, Central bank
Culture Anime & Manga, Architecture, Art, Bonsai, Cuisine, Festivals, Gardens, Geisha, Go Game, Ikebana, Onsen & Sento, Literature, Music, Tea ceremony, Theatre
Society Demographics, Crime, Education, Etiquette, Language, Law, Mythology, Religion, Sports, Values

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