| For such a tiny total landmass, Japan has left an | | | | doors to the world under the Convention of |
| undeniable stamp on human history. If you are | | | | Kanagawa with the United States. Once this |
| considering Japan as a destination, here is an | | | | occurred, Japan quickly evolved from a feudal |
| overview of the country.Extending along the | | | | state to a more modern approach.World War I |
| eastern coast of Asia, Japan is a country | | | | was a boon for Japan. Fighting on the side of the |
| consisting of a collection of islands. The mainland, | | | | victorious Allies, Japan repeated new respect as |
| as we think of it, is the island of Honshu. There | | | | an economic and military power following the |
| are three other large islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, | | | | defeat of the Axis. Alas, the emperor of Japan |
| and Kyushu, and roughly 3,000 much smaller | | | | went in a different direction after the war, |
| islands comprising what we call Japan. Put | | | | seeking dominance of China and Asia in general.In |
| together, the total land mass is slightly smaller | | | | 1937, Japan became an ally of Nazi German. This |
| than California. The geography throughout the | | | | eventually led to its decision to pursue an attack |
| islands is mountainous, best exemplified by Mt. Fuji | | | | on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Following |
| at 12,385 feet. As you might expect, the island | | | | four years of war, the loss of 3 million Japanese |
| country is inherently recognition of a volcanic are | | | | lives and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered |
| and Japan experiences earthquakes fairly | | | | to the United States on September 2, 1945. It |
| frequently, some on a large scale.Japan is an | | | | was stripped of most of its territorial holdings and |
| extremely urbanized country with most people | | | | was ruled de facto by General Douglas |
| living in major cities. The two prominent religions | | | | MacArthur, designated the Supreme |
| are Shintoism and Buddhism. The belief systems | | | | Commander.Following World War II, Japan turned |
| are harmonious and often share the same | | | | to a democratic system through reforms. The |
| temples.Per legend, Japan was founded by | | | | U.S. and allies returned complete control to Japan |
| Emperor Jimmu around 600 BC. The current | | | | on April 28, 1952 via the Treaty of Peace. |
| emperor is a descendent of the first.The first | | | | Although its days as a military power were over, |
| interaction with the West was in 1542 when a lost | | | | Japan once again became an economic giant. |
| Portuguese ship landed in Japan. Over the next | | | | Despite its relatively tiny land mass, Japan has the |
| century more Westerns came, but they were | | | | second biggest economy in the world.Modern day |
| not trusted. The Japan shoguns eventually banned | | | | Japan covers 145,902 square miles. The capital is |
| all foreigners and the country was isolated for | | | | Tokyo. The terrain is best described as rugged, |
| over 200 years. Not until 1854 did Japan open its | | | | mountainous islands with varying temperatures. |