Geography
An island between Pacific Ocean, Japan Sea, India Ocean, situated in 130-140 geography Length and 32-40 degree west geographical width in Longitude.

Weather
Japan has cold winters and hot and humid summers. Average temperature in winter is –5 and in summer between 20 to 30 degree centigrade.

Background Information
Full country name: Japan (Nippon)
Japan (Nippon)
Area: 377,435 sq. km (234,010 sq. mi)
Population: 125 million
Capital city: Tokyo (pop 8 million)
People: Japanese (Including Indigenous Aniu), Korean
Language: Japanese
Religion: Shinto, Buddhism, Christian
Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Economic profile
GDP: US $ 3927 billion
US $ 3927 billion
World GDP ranking: 2nd
Annual growth: 0%
Inflation: 2%
Major industries: Motor vehicles, office machinery, and chemicals. Motor vehicles, office machinery and chemicals

Travel Information
When to go there: Spring (March to May), with its clear sky and cherry blossoms, is probably the most celebrated Japanese season. Autumn (September to November) is a great time to travel: The temperatures are pleasant and autumn colors are fantastic.

Visas
Us passport holders and most European residents do not require a visa if staying in Japan less that 90 days. Visitors form Australia, Africa and Asia are among those who are required to get a visa.

How to get there
All passengers could enter Japan by air or sea.

Getting around
Airplane is expensive and train and bus are cheaper.

Time zone
GMT/UTC plus (9) hours

Transportation
Between cities: airplane, train, ship and bus In cities: metro, bus and taxi

Money and costs
Currency: Yen
Relative costs:
Budget meal: US $ 5-8
Restaurant meal: US $ 12-70
Budget room: US $ 18-25
Mid-range hotel: US $ 35-45

Media
Publications radio and TV are all in Japanese.

Communication
Telephone, Telegraph, Fax, post, e-mail, mobile, internet and … .

Weights and measures
Metric system

Electricity
100V; 50 Hz (Tokyo and eastern Japan)
100V; 60 Hz (western Japan)

Languages
Japanese

Business hours
Government: 8:00-17:00
Shopping: 9:00 -13:00 and 14:00-22:00
Weekend: Saturday and Sunday

Culture and Art
Until the last century, the main information on Japanese art came from China and Korea, but a distinct Japanese aesthetic was presented from early on. The Japanese aesthetic is written large in its architecture, from graceful Shinto Shrines and Buddhist temples, to elaborate castles and practical gossamer thin house.

Most of Japan's early literature was written by women because men wrote in Japanese script. Among these early female authors is Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote perhaps Japan's most important work of literature, the tale of Genji, about the intrigues of early Japanese court life. Japan has one of the most complex writing systems in the world, using three different scripts. Fortunately, for visitors to Japan, It's not tonal and the pronunciation system is fairly easy to master.

Embassies
All countries have embassies in Tokyo (Capital).