Wikiportal to Japan

{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" align="left" | | |- | colspan="2" align="center" | |} Japan is an island nation off the east coast of continental Asia. Its four largest islands are (in order by area) Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These islands make up 99% of Japan's area. It is divided into 47 Prefectures of Japan, of which Prefectures of Japan, of which Tokyo,_home to the government and Emperor, is the most famous. The nation's Politics of Japan is the Diet of Japan, consisting of an Politics of Japan is the Diet of Japan, consisting of an upper house, the House of Councillors, and a lower house, the House of Representatives of Japan|House of Representatives, which designate the Cabinet of Japan, headed by the Cabinet of Japan, headed by the Prime Minister of Japan|prime minister. Each prefecture has an elected governor and a separately elected legislature. The Constitution of Japan establishes the Emperor of Japan as a symbol of the nation. Early texts trace the country's foundation to Emperor Jimmu, while written History of Japan begins with a History of Japan begins with a shaman_named Himiko. The Shinto religion is native to Japan, and Buddhism, which came from Korea and China, developed further in the islands. The philosophy of Confucianism played a major role in shaping the country's thoughts, institutions, ethics, and personal relationships. Japan's rich tradition of performing arts includes Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku. Its literature includes The Tale of Genji (a novel dating from the 11th century) and waka and haiku poetic forms. The arts of Japan encompass sculpture, painting, woodblock prints, calligraphy and manga. The world has embraced Japan's modern manga, film, anime, Computer and video games|video games, and J-pop. The powerful economic engine of Japan includes manufacturing enterprises such as Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan,_Honda, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.|Matsushita, and Sony. Its financial services providers compete internationally in banking and insurance. The construction, shipping, and fishing industries are worldwide in scope. The nation's imports include energy and food. Governmental agencies involved with the economy include the Minister of Finance (Japan)|Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)|Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Bank of Japan.