Full country name: Japan (Nihon)

Area: 377,835 sq km (147,356 sq mi)

Population: 126.9 million

Capital City: Tokyo

Economy: Trade, industry, services.

Language Description: Japanese. Numerous regional dialects can almost be considered foreign languages; however, the way people speak in Tokyo is understood throughout the country and where Japanese is spoken around the world.

Passport/Visa U.S.: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports and proof of onward passage for stays of less than 90 days. There's a departure tax of %2650 at Narita airport. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.

Religion: Shinto, Buddhist.

Telephone Codes: 81, country code; 03,

Time Zone: 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+9 GMT).
Daylight Saving Time is not observed

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Head of State: Emperor Akihito

Prime Minister: Junichiro Koizumi