A HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF JAPAN IN THE MODERN ERA

The modern era of Japan began in the late 1860s, when the Meiji Restoration stopped the system of feudalism. The first European-style constitution provided a parliament, while keeping the sovereignty of the emperor: head of the army and navy, and with executive and legislative powers. Worship of the emperor was emphasized and taught at schools. After World War II a profound change took place in Japanese society. The new constitution gave power to the people and made Japan a peaceful democratic nation. In direct contrast to the Meiji constitution, the emperor now has no power related to government, but is still considered the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the Japanese people.

ECOLOGICAL FEATURES

Japan is a long archipelago consisting of about 7,000 islands, located off the coast of northeast Asia between the Sea of Japan and the North Pacific Ocean. It is around 3,000 km in length from northeast to southwest, with an area of around 380,000 km2. Hokkaido, the island farthest to the north, is as cold as Canada, while island chains farther south have similar climates to the Caribbean islands. Three-quarters of the land is made up of mountain chains. The present population of the nation is approximately 127 million inhabitants. Tokyo is its capital, with 12 million inhabitants. The urban areas are densely populated; more than 40 percent of the population live around the three largest metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.