FACT SHEET: JAPAN

Country Demographics
Population: 126,393,127 (2015 est.)
Capital: Toyko
Currency: Yen (JPY); $1 USD= 120 JPY (As of
4/21/2015)
Language: Japanese
Ethnic Make-up: 98.5% Japanese, 1.5% other
Religions: Buddism and Shinto
Head of State: His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor
Akihiro
Head of Government: Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe
Interesting Facts
More than 70% of Japan consists of
mountains, including more than 200
volcanoes.
Sumo is Japan's national sport. Baseball is also very popular.
Government
Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. The Prime Minister
of Japan is the head of government and is appointed by the Emperor after being designated by the Diet
(legislative branch) from among its members. The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet, and he
appoints and dismisses the Ministers of State. Although the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the
Emperor, the Constitution of Japan explicitly requires the Emperor to appoint whoever is designated by
the Diet.
U.S. Government and Military Relationship
The post-World War II U.S.-Japan alliance has long been an anchor of the U.S. security role in East
Asia. The alliance facilitates the forward deployment of about 53,000 U.S. troops and other U.S. military
assets in the Asia-Pacific. For Japan, the alliance provides maneuvering room in dealing with its
neighbors, particularly China and North Korea.
The U.S. has a strong military presence in Japan, with around 85 facilities located on the islands of
Honshu, Kyushu, and Okinawa. All branches of service have a presence in Japan. The U.S. Navy
presence includes Commander, Naval Forces, Japan, as well as the U.S. 7th Fleet. The Navy also
partners with the Japan Maritime Self Defense force with military exercises. The USS Benfold, is
repositioning to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, located approximately 75 miles south of Toyko.
Social Norms and Customs
Contemporary Japan is considered a highly homogeneous society. Regional variation in social and
cultural patterns has always been significant. Pride of place and identification with local cultural patterns
remain strong. Japanese people often attribute personality traits to people from particular regions, and
regional identity often is expressed through local culinary specialties and dialects.

Etiquette
Meetings
Appointments are required and should be made several weeks in advance, when possible.
It is best practice to schedule your appointment via telephone.
Punctuality is important. Arrive on time for meetings and expect your Japanese colleagues
will do the same.
The Japanese are non-confrontational.
They have a difficult time saying 'no', so you must be vigilant at observing non-verbal
communication.
It is best to phrase questions so that they can answer yes. For example, do you disagree with
this?
Group decision-making and consensus are important.
Remain standing until you are instructed where and when to be seated; wait to stand once the
meeting is finished until the person with the highest professional status stands.
Conversational
Use titles when addressing others, example: President,
Professor, etc.
Below are additive words that can follow a name or title.
o Kun- used for someone younger
o San used for coworker, colleague, or friend
o Sama- used for someone older, shows respect
o Dono- used for a President, CEO, etc.
Do not rush the goodbye process; it can often take a long
time, both on the phone and in person.
Bow when greeting someone
Give and receive gifts with both hands
Bowing is very important
o Should be natural, casual and small
o The nod bow for good friends, most casual
o The greeting bow for greetings and equals, 15 degrees
o The respect bow- for boss or someone higher than you, 30 degrees
o Highest respect bow- make a big mistake, need to apologize, 45 degrees
Dining

Eat what your host offers you for dinner.

Never leave chopsticks sticking out of a bowl; use the
serving chopsticks or turn your chopsticks around when
serving others; dropping chopsticks is considered bad
luck.
Avoid piercing your food with chopsticks, except as a
last resort.
Slurp to show you enjoy your food.

Teacher,

Do fill a companions tea cup at dinner; you never pour your own tea or beverage.
Make an attempt to pay at a restaurant, even if someone else invited you. They won't let you
pay, but your effort will make a good impression.
You do not need to tip in restaurants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sempai/Kohai Relationship
Mentor system
Used in schools, clubs, businesses, and informal organizations
Hierarchy is very important, stressed through this relationship
Group vs. Individual Identity
Japan is a communal country; the community is more important than the individual.
Very common to receive unannounced visits from friends and family.
Saving Face
Losing face is when a person highlights someone elses mistakes in front of a crowd.
It is important to make sure people do not lose face, which is very embarrassing for the
Japanese.
Dos

Do remove your shoes when entering a home.

Do wear shoes that can be easily removed, as you may have to do so several times a day
Bringing a small gift for the host/hostess is always appreciated.
o If you buy the gift in Japan, have it wrapped.
Do be punctual.
Do Leave larger amounts of money either locked in a hotel safe or in your inside money
belt/hidden pocket inside your clothes, together with credit/debit cards, air tickets and passport.
Do avoid touching others. Hugging is not common practice.
Do wash your hands often after traveling on the train or bus.

.
Donts
Dont point your finger or toes at someone.
Dont blow your nose in front of someone.
Do not give lilies, camellias, lotus flowers or any white flowers as they are associated with
funerals.
Do not give potted plants as they encourage sickness, although a bonsai tree is always
acceptable.
Give items in odd numbers, but not 9.
Never become angry in public; public confrontation is often avoided by Japanese.

Places of Interest
Tokyo Disney- Consisting of two parks,
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Located outside of Tokyo, near Chiba.

Akihabara- a shopping district for video

games, anime, manga, and computer goods
in
Tokyo. Icons from popular anime and
manga are
displayed prominently in the shops in the
area.

The Kannonzaki Light House - Built in 1869, its modern

duties have been taken over by the Uraga Traffic Control Center, also
the park. This modern, radar-studded concrete tower, visible from base,
1,000 ships traveling past Kannonzaki every day.

located in
guides the

English

Japanese Pronunciation

Japanese

Good morning.

Ohayo Gozaimasu.

Hello. / Good afternoon.

Konnichiwa

Good evening.

Konbanwa.

How are you?

Ogenki desu ka?

I'm fine.

Eeh Genki desu.

Good-bye.

Sayonara.

Good-bye. (To superiors)

Shitsurehi shimasu.

Thank you very much.

Arigato Gozaimasu.

You are welcome.

Do itashi mashite.

How do you do?

Hajimemashite.

Nice to meet you.

Dozo yoroshiku.

What is your name?

Onamaewa nandesuka.

My name is ______.

_____to moshimasu.

Itadakimasu.

Gochisousama.

Taste's Great.

Oishii desune.

Cheers!

Kampai!

Excuse me.
(To get someones attention)

Sumimasen.

Whats this?

Kore wa nan desu ka?

How much?

Ikura desu ka?

Thank you for the meal.

(Before eating)
Thank you for the meal.
(After eating)