JAPAN
GEOGRAPHY
Japan is an island country comprising a stratovolcanic archipelago over 3,000 km (1,900 mi) along East Asia’s Pacific coast.It consists of 6,852 islands. The 5 main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa. There are 6,847 remote islands. The Ryukyu Islands and Nanpō Islands are south and east of the main islands. The territory covers 377,976.41 km2. It is the 4th largest island country in the world and the largest island country in East Asia.The country has the 6th longest coastline at 29,751 km (18,486 mi) and the 8th largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 4,470,000 km2 in the world. The terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 66% forest. The population is clustered in urban areas on the coast, plains and valleys.Japan is located in the northwestern Ring of Fire on multiple tectonic plates. East of the Japanese archipelago are three oceanic trenches. The Japan Trench is created as the oceanic Pacific Plate subducts beneath the continental Okhotsk Plate. The continuous subduction process causes frequent earthquakes, tsunami and stratovolcanoes. The islands are also affected by typhoons. The subduction plates have pulled the Japanese archipelago eastward, created the Sea of Japan and separated it from the Asian continent by back-arc spreading 15 million years ago. The climate varies from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical and tropical rainforest in the south. These differences in climate and landscape have allowed the development of a diverse flora and fauna, with some rare endemic species, especially in the Ogasawara Islands. Japan extends from 20° to 45° north latitude (Okinotorishima to Benten-jima) and from 122° to 153° east longitude (Yonaguni to Minami Torishima. Japan is surrounded by seas. To the north the Sea of Okhotsk separates it from the Russian Far East, to the west the Sea of Japan separates it from the Korean Peninsula, to the southwest the East China Sea separates the Ryukyu Islands from China and Taiwan, to the east is the Pacific Ocean.
HISTORY
The first inhabitants of Japan came, both from Korea and southern China and south-east Asia, mixing and bringing their contribution of knowledge and experience. The Ainu, which still survives, is the Jews of one of these primitive populations, of Asian but not Mongoloid lineage. Confucianism and Buddhism spread through Chinese colonization in Japan. From China, the Japanese also inherited writing and then adapted it to their language. The origins of Japanese literature, characterized in every age by a vivid sense of nature and a subtle investigation, dating back to the 8th century.
The first texts are two compilations of a mythical – historical nature (inherited both from the spoken jargon of the Japanese population and from the Chinese language). For many years Japan has had a social-political structure very similar to that of feudal Europe. At the top, next to a completely powerless emperor, a prime minister who exercised the effective government below, a real network of large and small feudal lords, who were both warriors and landowners. The bourgeoisie was very weak and subordinated to the warrior class. Also, this society entered in crisis in the nineteenth century to the contact with the westerners. However, Japan managed to maintain its independence to start its industrial revolution comparable to that of England had known a century earlier. Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Japan became a great capitalist power, and also aggressive in foreign policy. In 1894-5 the Japanese intrigues in Korea provoke a war against China that reveals in a clamorous way the Japanese military superiority. With the treaty of Shimonoseki Japan gets Formosa and the Pescadores islands.
In 1902 there was an alliance between Japan and England and thanks to this alliance there was free action in Manchuria. Later there was the war between Japan and Russia, Japan won both on land and at sea. Japan also participated in the First World War, but it did not invade Asia, because it targeted German possessions in China and in the Pacific Sea. In 1923 there was a serious earthquake that affected the surrounding situation in Japan, this earthquake gave many trouble to the Japanese. In the 1930s it invaded China and during the Second World War, it sided with Italy and Germany of Adolfo Hitler, occupying a large part of eastern Asia. Once the allies were defeated, in 1945 he also experienced the terrible tragedy of the explosion of two atomic bombs on August 6th in Hiroshima, the second on August 9th in Nagasaki. Immediately after the war, the country was occupied by the Americans and the political order turned into a constitutional monarchy. However, as early as the fifties, its economy was rebuilt to reach and significantly exceed pre-war levels.
SOCIAL CULTURE AND RELIGION
Asking a Japanese for which religion he belongs is the classic question that could put your friendship in crisis. Contrary to what happens in most of the world, in fact, not only is atheism a largely a majority among all sections of the population, but there is no such thing as an official religion. For the Japanese religion is a private fact and belonging to the personal sphere of the individual, and must in no way interfere in the public sphere, or cause any disturbance in people’s lives. Those who are believers are generally related to shinbutsu shūgō (syncretism between Kami and Buddha).Japan adopts religious freedom in its constitution. Because of this, there are strong influences from other religions, especially animist and Christian.
The two main religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, coexist particularly well given their complementarity, so much so that it is not at all difficult to find houses, or even temples, with Altars dedicated to both confessions. With a little luck, you might even find small Christian chapels or rooms dedicated to Muslim prayer. Even though most Japanese, even (laici), often visit these shrines, they don’t do so superficially minded. Their strong sense of duty and their lack of trust in the fickle nature of the spirits makes each of these traditions an obligation to be fulfilled.
However matters slightly change when we look at the prominent figures inherited from other religions; for example Christ and Mohammed are accepted in Japanese culture but are considered examples to follow, rather than ultra-human figures.
POLITICS
Labour legislation
The main labour regulations are found in the Constitution of Japan which also deals with the right to work, obligation to work, the prohibition of child labour and freedom of association. Several regulations are found in the Civil Code, in the Relations Law (LRAL, 1946), in the law on labour standards (LSL, 1947) and the Trade Union Law (TUL, 1949). These rules are in force both for local workers in private companies and for foreign workers with work visas. Following the decisive government investments promoted by the Abe Government, the Japanese state has various sectors in which it is advantageous to invest today and in future projections.
Commercial
The protection of competition has its roots in the Law n. 54/1947 aimed at promoting free competition on the market by avoiding concentrations and abuses of power in order to stimulate economic initiatives, sustain consumption and protect workers. It is therefore prohibited to create monopolies and agreements that could impact market competition and give rise to improper practices. To control this stands the Fair Trade Commission, which can also penalize offenders. Consumer protection is guaranteed by the Consumer Product Safety Law. The body in charge of product certification is the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The Money Lending Business Law (2006) establishes the limits of consumer exposure and interest rate. The Product Liability Law (1995) and the Consumer Product Safety Law protect the guarantee.
ECONOMY
The Japanese economic analysis cannot disregard a widespread domestic market, driven by the considerable internal consumption (128,000,000 million inhabitants), advanced infrastructures and a strategic geographical position, also due to the proximity to China, with which holds several commercial and economic ties. The technological vanguard is one of the strengths of the country, which enjoys innovative technologies in different sectors, which are making an important contribution to the constant economic growth of the country. The government is also promoting a policy aimed at encouraging investment, with the aim of increasing the economy and reviving the country following the consequences of the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008 and sovereign debt in 2011.
The Japanese legal system is nowadays favourable and open to foreign investments, with the exception of some sectors (agriculture, mining and national security), and is also inclined to maintain long-term and stable commercial relationships.
The high standard of living of the Japanese population favours high-level investments: therefore, the considerable interest in Made in Italy products is not surprising. The Italian export market in Italy is in fact in strong growth and any investments in high-quality sectors (highly appreciated by local consumers) are therefore suggested as potential opportunities with high economic returns.
Also thanks to the incentive policies for economic investment, Japan can be home to important future investments concerning the energy sector and environmental conservation; there are therefore opportunities for investments in markets such as: renewable energies, biotechnologies, ICT (E-Health), architecture, robotics, domotics and chemical and pharmaceutical products.
Renewable Energy Sector
Following nuclear disasters, Japan has developed a strong anti-nuclear mentality, and consequently extremely favourable to renewable and clean energy. Important loans were therefore dedicated to these sectors: solar photovoltaic, wind, water (hydropower of less than 30 MW), geothermal and bio-masses.
Information and Communication Industry
The information and communication industry sector is considered a strategic area in which to invest, as it is constantly expanding.
Basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations
Given the ageing of the population, this sector is considered to be highly strategic. Japan is the second-largest market in the world for pharmaceutical products, second only to the United States.
Computers and electronic and optical products, electro medical devices, measuring devices and watches
Therefore, invest in E-health, that is, everything that is attributable to health and health. Japan has always invested heavily in technology and technology, so one can presume to find such a thriving market open to new technologies.
More Sectors:
- ITC sector.
- Pharmaceutical sector.
- Sector of professional, technical and scientific activities.
- Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning sector.
- Technology (computers, electronic and optical products).
- Electromedical Equipment Sector.
- Measuring apparatus and watches sector.
IMPORT/EXPORT
IMPORT
As regards the import of certain goods, Japan requires authorizations, duties or quotas. Examples of goods subject to restrictions can be tomato sauce, cured meats, jewellery, coffee, leather products, wine and cheese.
EXPORT
The Japanese customs system is part of various international conventions, in the territory it is also possible to find Hozei areas of different types, for the transit of goods. Japan has also signed a customs cooperation agreement with the European Union and various free trade agreements with Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, APEC and ASEAN.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Growing trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region have steadily enhanced interdependence in the region boosting its weight in the world economy more than ever. The Asian NIEs (Newly Industrializing Economies) and other countries and areas in the region have achieved amazing economic growth on the basis of market economy, drawing world attention as a vigorous region. The spectacular economic development of the Asian NIEs and ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries is contributing to the political stability of the region as a factor conducive to the promotion of democracy.
Having established a policy of attaching importance to the Asia-Pacific region, the United States has been endeavoring to strengthen its relations with Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This stance of the United States, together with its solid relations with Japan, is contributing greatly to the stability of the region.
The Asian NIEs and ASEAN countries have had a characteristic in trade structure of importing capital goods and intermediate products from Japan and exporting manufactured products to the United States. But, recently, Japan has significantly increased imports of manufactured product from the Asian NIEs and ASEAN countries. This change followed the industrial restructuring and expansion of domestic demand in Japan incidental to the sharp rise of the yen. Direct investments from Japan have risen rapidly. And as Japanese production bases come into full operation in these areas, exports to Japan are expected to further increase. Japan and the Asian NIEs and ASEAN countries are now linked closely through interdependence accompanying horizontal division of labor. The Asian NIEs are moving their labor-intensive industries to ASEAN countries due to soaring wages at home and the upvaluation of their currencies. This has strengthened economic relations between the two groups of Asian countries. China, Asian NIEs, and ASEAN countries have expanded foreign trade by mutually providing export markets. Australia and New Zealand are increasing their trade with the Asian NIEs and ASEAN countries in the face of the diminishing weight of trade with the EC countries.
Japan, as one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, should continue to make positive contributions to Asia-Pacific cooperation for the stability and development of the region in the future. However, the countries in the Asia-Pacific region still differ widely in the stages of economic development. They are also marked by cultural and social diversity. Prime Minister Takeshita visited ASEAN countries in May 1989. He outlined the following three principles as the basic policy of Japan toward Asia-Pacific cooperation in his policy speech in Jakarta: (1) To respect the views of the ASEAN countries, (2) to maintain and strengthen the free trade system open to the world, and (3) to promote multi-faceted and steady cooperation. The Japanese policy was highly appreciated by ASEAN and other countries in the region. To further Asia-Pacific cooperation it will be necessary, first of all, that the countries in the region carry on dialogue and cooperation on a steady basis over a wide range of fields.