National language-Japanese
Capital-Tokyo
Largest City-Tokyo
Area-377,835 km², 8% water (Ranked 60th)
Population-127,417,244 (2005) (Ranked 10th)
Density of Population: 337/km²

GDP
- Total (PPP, 2005): $4.0 trillion (Ranked 3rd)
- Total (nominal): $4.8 trillion (Ranked 2nd)
- GDP/capita (PPP): $31,384 (Ranked12th)
- GDP/capita (nominal): $37,566 (Ranked15th)

UN HDI: Ranked 9th (2004)
Currency: Japanese yen (JPY, ¥)
Time zone: UTC +9
Internet TLD: .jp
Calling code: 81
National anthem: Kimi Ga Yo

Japan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia. The main islands running from north to south are Hokkaido, Honshu (or the mainland), Shikoku, and Kyushu. Naha on Okinawa in the Ryukyu archipelago is over 600 km to the southwest of Kyushu. In addition, about 3,000 smaller islands may be counted in the full extent of the archipelago that comprises greater Japan.

:: Area: 377,835 sq km (including 3,091 km² of territorial water)
:: Major Islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku
:: Coastline: 29,751 km
:: Reclaimed land area in Tokyo Bay: 249 km²
:: Highest Peak: Mount Fuji: (3776m/12,385ft)
:: Lowest Elevation: Hachiro-gata -4 m

Japan is the 16th most densely populated country in the world. However about 73% of the country is mountainous and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial or residential use due to the generally steep elevations, climate and risk of landslides due to earthquakes and heavy rain. This has resulted in an extremely high population density in the habitable zones, mainly in the coastal areas.

Japan is situated in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Frequent low intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting in tsunamis, occur several times a century. The most recent major quakes include the 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Hot springs are numerous and have been developed as resorts.