Japan

Population: 127,078,679
Concerns
Suicide
At over 30,000 people a year, Japan has one of the
highest suicide rates in the world, especially among
industrialized nations. Unemployment, depression, and
social pressures are some of the most prevalent causes,
with the economic collapse of the 90s causing
significant increases and the 2008 economic crisis
potentially doing the same. Cultural perceptions of
suicide also contribute to the problem.
Japan’s “Lost Generation”
The economic collapse of the 1990s had far reaching
consequences for many who came of age during the
time. Many were compelled to take temporary positions
lacking in advancement, shift between unskilled or
menial jobs, or become NEETs (Not in Employment,
Education, or Training). Even as the economy has
shown improvement in recent years, they are now being
passed over for jobs in favour of new graduates.
Life Expectancy: 82.12 years
Fertility Rate: 1.21 children/woman
School Life Expectancy: 15 years
Religion: Shintoism (83.9%), Buddhism (71.4%), Christianity (2%),
Other (7.8%). Religion in Japan is complex and syncretic; many
people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism, while others may
practice rituals of each without considering themselves members of
either.
Now the world’s third largest economy measured on a purchasing
power parity basis, Japan rose to its present state after its defeat in
World War II left its cities and economy battered. Japan’s current
constitution as well as its ties to the US arose out of the Allied
occupation of Japan, which lasted until 1952. Following this,
government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high
technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of
GDP) allowed Japan to experience unprecedented economic growth
until a slowdown following the collapse of a bubble economy in the
1990s. Japan’s economy is considered to have shown signs of
recovery from about 2005, but unemployment rates have since reached
record highs in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Japan the has the 8th highest Human Development Index standard of
living, the highest life expectancy in the world, and boasts a 99%
literacy rate for those over 15.

Environment
As an island nation susceptible to rising sea levels and a
signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, Japan is committed to
environmental conservation, particularly in regard to
limiting global warming and ozone depletion.

Discrimination
Social discrimination against descendants of burakumin, Head of Government: Prime Chief of State: Emperor
outcast communities from the feudal era, as well as Minster Yukio Hatoyama Akihito
racism and xenophobia towards ethnic minorities and
foreigners from other Asian countries, are a deep and As President of the Democrat As the Emperor of Japan,
serious problem for Japan. Party of Japan, Hatoyama took Akihito is “the symbol of the
office as prime minister of state and of the unity of the
Japan on September 16, 2009 Japanese people.” Born in
Suggested prayer topics after the DPJ’s success in 1933, he succeeded to the
Japan’s general election. This throne in 1989. He has made
• Pray for those suffering from depression and marks a significant shift in an effort to bring the Imperial
mental illness in Japan, that they would find hope. Japanese politics, as it is only Family closer to the Japanese
• Pray for the “Lost Generation,” that they can find the second time in over 50 people, and has also issued
work, that employers would offer them full time years that the centre right, several wide-ranging
positions, and that they can experience relief from conservative Liberal statements of remorse to Asian
their anxiety. Democratic Party (LDP) has countries, for their suffering
• Pray for the environment, that its preservation can not been the ruling party in under Japanese occupation.
be balanced with Japan’s economic development. Japan. He is also a published
• Pray for an end to racism and discrimination in ichthyological researcher.
Hatoyama is from a prominent
Japan. Japanese political family; his
• Pray for reconciliation between Japan and other father was a foreign minister,
Asian countries over issues and crimes from World and his grandfather was the
War II first prime minister of the LDP
• Pray for challenges related to low fertility rates and in 1955. Hatoyama co-founded
an aging population the DPJ in 1996 with his
• Pray for Japan’s political leaders, that they may younger brother.
reign wisely for the benefit of their country and for
the world The DPJ has promised to
• Pray for the advancement of justice and selfless reverse Japan’s economic
love in Japan
decline and redefine its
relationship with the US.