Japan: Gov't, Econ, Arts & Ent.
Nicholas O'Connor
Government System and Economy
Government Type: Parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy
Even though Japan is not completely democratic, it still allows for vital freedoms to comply with the happiness of the citizens.
Prominent Leaders: Chief of State Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Shinzo, Chief Justice Itsuro Terada
Branches: Operates very similar to the United States, an efficient and capitalist based system
Economy: Stable, capitalistic economy that is growing and recovering from massive earthquakes. An energy-based and highly technological founded economy
Level of Development: Quaternary
GDP & Per Capita:
Currency: Japanese Yen
Poverty: 16% of population is below poverty line
Top Imports / Exports:
Imports: $811.9 billion total
Petroleum 16%, Liquid Natural Gas 6%, Coal 4%
Exports: $710.5 billion
Motor Vehicles: 14%, Iron and Steel Products 6%; Auto Parts 5%
NORMALLY, the exports are more than the imports, but not this year.
Even though Japan is not completely democratic, it still allows for vital freedoms to comply with the happiness of the citizens.
Prominent Leaders: Chief of State Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Shinzo, Chief Justice Itsuro Terada
Branches: Operates very similar to the United States, an efficient and capitalist based system
- Executive branch with a chief of state and head of government (prime minister). Cabinet appointed by Prime Minister.
- The bicameral legislature, or diet, chooses prime minister.
- Legislative Branch: House of Councillors with 242 seats and 6 year terms
- House of Representatives with 475 seats and max 4 year terms
- Judicial Branch: Supreme Court with chief justice and 14 associate justices
- Chief Justice appointed by monarch
- 8 High Courts
Economy: Stable, capitalistic economy that is growing and recovering from massive earthquakes. An energy-based and highly technological founded economy
Level of Development: Quaternary
GDP & Per Capita:
- GDP- $4.77 trillion
- Per Capita- $37,800
Currency: Japanese Yen
Poverty: 16% of population is below poverty line
Top Imports / Exports:
Imports: $811.9 billion total
Petroleum 16%, Liquid Natural Gas 6%, Coal 4%
Exports: $710.5 billion
Motor Vehicles: 14%, Iron and Steel Products 6%; Auto Parts 5%
NORMALLY, the exports are more than the imports, but not this year.
Emperor Akihito
Prime Minister Shinzo
Chief Justice Itsuro Terada
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Houses Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is a popular tourist attraction. It contains free observation decks that provide a beautiful view of the city.
National Diet Building
This is where both houses of The National Diet of Japan meet. Sessions of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors often occur here.
Festivals
Japan is well-known for hosting massive local festivals, whether it be for a religion, historical event, or even a season. One of, if not the largest festival is Tokushima Awa Odori, which brings in about 1.3 million attendants each year. It is known for it's colorful decorations and costumes, dance parties, and live music. The festival's history is rich. For example, it is rumored that spirits of the dead visit their ancestors around the time of the festival. Also, everyone would be permitted to attend in the early centuries, from samurai to peasant.
Holidays
Japan's most important holiday is New Year's Day on January 1st. Businesses remain closed several days before and after this holiday. This holiday is so prominent because each year symbolizes a blank slate for them, so they celebrate by playing traditional games or viewing live music. Various traditions include ringing bells 108 times and lighting candles. Others take this date seriously by visiting temples or meditating.
Fine Arts
Traditional Japanese art is extremely well known, with famous artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Kose Kanaoka defining the art style. Modern artists, such as Chiho Aoshima took a new approach to their art style with incredible works in paintings, sculptures, and other 3d art.
Museums
Museums in Japan are numerous and excellent. With a wide range of themes such as art, history, and science, these museums are invaluable to learning about Japan. The most common type of museums is traditional art museums such as Kofukuji National Treasure Museum. A rising style of museum is contemporary art and even railway and disaster museums.
Music
Japanese music is, surprisingly enough, not drastically different from music here. Modern music consists of "normal" instruments, such as guitar and drums, sometimes mixing with several unique instruments such as traditional-style woodwinds. Of course, Japanese pop remains popular. Traditional music was mostly the expected: zen music with emphasis on relaxation, brass, and stringed instruments.
National Anthem
MLA Citations
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Basics of Japanese Culture." Basics of Japanese Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart | Billboard." Billboard. Billboard Music Awards, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"2015 Cherry Blossom Forecast." Japan-guide.com. Japan-Guide.com, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
Szczepanski, Kallie. "The Four-Tiered Class System of Feudal Japan." N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Embassies of Japan." Embassies of Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japanese Music: Popular Genres." Japanese Music: Popular Genres. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japan." Top 10 Ese Contemporary Artists You Should Know. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Housing in Japan." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Basics of Japanese Culture." Basics of Japanese Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart | Billboard." Billboard. Billboard Music Awards, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"2015 Cherry Blossom Forecast." Japan-guide.com. Japan-Guide.com, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
Szczepanski, Kallie. "The Four-Tiered Class System of Feudal Japan." N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Embassies of Japan." Embassies of Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japanese Music: Popular Genres." Japanese Music: Popular Genres. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Japan." Top 10 Ese Contemporary Artists You Should Know. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Housing in Japan." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.