National Flag:
White with a large red disk in the center. White signifies purity and honesty, while the red disc represents the sun and warmth, radiance and sencerity. Hinomaru is the name given to the Japanese flag. It means ‘sun circle.’
Capital: Tokyo
Langauges: Japanese (official)
Currency: Yen
Main Industries:
Although lacking in natural resources, Japan is among the world’s largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods.
Did You Know?
- Traditionally. ‘sushi’ simply means ‘snack’ and refers to small portions of rice, but internationally the term has come to refer to vinagared rice eaten with uncooked fish, sometimes rolled in dried seaweed and usually accompanied by soya sauce.
- The traditional Japanese tea ceremony and the ikebana method of arranging flowers express the desire to be spiritually free and materially simple.
- Shoes are usually removed in private homes and restaurants and placed with the toes facing the exit.
- The Bullet train (Shinkansen) is a popular means of transport between Tokyo and Osaka, as parking space is limited.
- The Japanese were the first to have a commercial success with the personal stereo – the Sony Walkman.
- In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan develop a technologically advanced economy. Today, measured on a purchasing power parity basis, Japan is the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China; measured by official exchange rates, however, Japan is the second largest economy in the world behind the US.
