Japan is an East Asian archipelago of 14,000 islands stretching across the Pacific, blending ancient Shinto and Buddhist tradition with high-tech megacities like Tokyo, Osaka and the megacity-spanning Tōkaidō corridor.
Geography & landscape
Japan sits in Eastern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 377,975 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Tokyo, lies near coordinates 36°, 138°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Japan.
People & society
The population of Japan is around 124M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Japanese, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Japan is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Tokyo, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Tokyo and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Japan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Japan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Tokyo, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +81, and clocks are set to the JST (UTC+9) time zone. ISO standards identify Japan as JP (alpha-2) and JPN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇯🇵, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Tokyo | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Asia | — |
| Population | 124M | people |
| Area | 377,975 | km² |
| Currency | Japanese Yen (JPY) | — |
| Calling code | +81 | international dialling |
| Time zone | JST (UTC+9) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | JP | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | JPN | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 36 | degrees |
| Longitude | 138 | degrees |
Did you know?
Japan has more than 100 active volcanoes and experiences around 1,500 detectable earthquakes every year.
