Japan

Land of the Rising Sun

Japan

Geography & Demographics

Japan is an archipelago, or string of islands, on the eastern edge of Asia. There are four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. There are also nearly 4,000 smaller islands! Japan’s nearest mainland neighbors are the Siberian region of Russia in the north and Korea and China farther south. Tokyo, which is the biggest city in Japan with over 13 million inhabitants. 126.5 million people live in Japan. A majority of the inhabitants are Buddhists or Shintoists.

Customs & Traditions

In Japan, people greet by bowing to one another. A bow can range from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. Gift giving is a conventional part of Japanese culture. Different types of gifts are given on depending on the occasion. How the present is wrapped is essential. The most important table etiquette in Japan is saying customary phrases before and after a meal. It is traditional for Japanese people to say “itadaki-masu” (meaning “I humbly receive” or “let’s eat”) before a meal and “gochisou-sama” after a meal. Shoes are never worn in someone’s home or on Japanese tatami flooring (mats).

Art & Popular Culture

The arts are an important part of Japanese life. A number of schools and colleges offer students training and preparation for careers in performance and art. The Ministry of Education is protective of Japan’s great works of art which include paintings, sculptures and architecture. Traditional arts and crafts such as the tea ceremony, flower arranging and dance that express Japan’s cultural heritage are greatly valued and designated as ‘living national treasures’. Japan’s history has been defined too by its literature and poetry. The ‘Tale of the Genji’ for instance, is a great classic work written by a noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu at the beginning of the 11th Century. Comic books and animation are a popular form of art which has reached an international audience.

Food

Whilst Japan has its own identity of traditional cuisine there are early influences from Korea, China and South East Asia. White rice is a staple element of almost all meals and other ingredients include soy products, grilled or raw fish, thinly sliced stir-fried pork with bean sprouts and vegetables. Miso soup is a popular dish made from miso paste (fermented soya beans and barley) and containing various accoutrements such as tofu and/or vegetables. Sushi is also a popular Japanese meal which involves vinegared rice with seafood, raw fish or vegetables. A typical Japanese meal usually involves a number of dishes on the table rather than a main course.