Publishing and broadcast media

• Main national newspapers: There are 122 daily newspapers. Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, and Yomiuri Shimbun are among the most popular
• Television stations: 5 national services: 1 publicly owned, 4 commercial
• Radio stations: 100 services: 1 publicly owned, 99 commercial

The Japanese are among the world's most avid newspaper readers. Major papers are issued in simultaneous editions in the main urban centers. Most dailies are owned by large media groups who also have TV and cable interests. Weekly newspapers carry more tabloid journalism. Manga, Japanese comics, are massively popular, with their characteristic artwork influencing design and art across Japanese culture. They now account for 40% of all published material in Japan; the most popular title, Shonen Jump, sells over three million copies a week.

Japanese technology has defined the world's media. Along with the personal stereo, Japanese companies effectively created the huge international computer games market. Nintendo, a leading games company, is among the most profitable in Japan. Ironically, the Internet was slow to take off, though by 2001 Japan had the third-highest number of people "online." That year also saw Japan launch the world's first "third-generation" mobile phone service.

• Main languages spoken: Japanese, Korean, Chinese
• Population density: 339/km2 (879/mi2) (Population density high)

The urban/rural population split

Religious persuasion

Ethnic makeup

Population age breakdown

Japan is racially one of the most homogeneous societies in the world. Social form remains extremely important. Respect for elders and for social and business superiors is strongly ingrained. Many men define themselves by the company they work for rather than their job. An employer's influence stretches into employees' social time, and even to encouraging and approving marriages. There is little tradition of generation rebellion, but the youth market is powerful and current fashions are geared toward teenagers. Many may still follow their parents' lifestyles, but established attitudes are being challenged. Working for the same company for life, and giving up evenings and weekends to entertain company clients, have become harder to justify amid economic turbulence.

Traditionally, women run the home and supervise the all-important education of their children. Many pursue careers until marriage, then continue to work part-time. However, some women are beginning to take on long-term careers, particularly in the medical and legal professions.

Japan's population is set to decline from 2007, with falling birth rates, limited immigration, and lower mortality producing an aging population. By 2050 30% of the population will be over-65, imposing an enormous tax burden on a shrinking number of workers.

• Dates of last and next legislative elections: L. House 2003/2007 U. House 2004/2007
• Head of state: Emperor Tsegu no Miya Akihito

Japan is a multiparty democracy. The emperor has a purely ceremonial role.

Profile

The right-of-center LDP has dominated Japanese politics since its formation in 1955. For the first 21 years its parliamentary majority was untouched, but it has had to rely on occasionally shaky coalitions since 1976. In 1993 it lost power altogether, but recovered the following year and has remained in control ever since. The seven-party government which held power in 1993–1994 proved unworkable in the long run and the later Shinshinto coalition was unable to challenge the LDP despite the dire economic situation of the late 1990s.

Indeed, the LDP's position is threatened less by external opposition than by the machinations of its various internal factions. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori led a lackluster campaign in a general election in 2000, from which the LDP emerged with a reduced representation but still as the largest party and the main force in government. Mori's unpopularity finally led to his replacement as LDP leader (and prime minister) in 2001 by charismatic newcomer Junichiro Koizumi.

With the economy stagnating, Koizumi took it upon himself to push a radical reformist agenda, making the most of his immense public popularity. However, though he promised much, he has delivered little in the way of significant change, especially in the political sphere. The inertia of the faction system and the fierce conservatism of the grassroots LDP have forced him to scale down his visions and settle into the familiar routine of gentle persuasion and appeasement. His popularity has consequently suffered, and the DPJ made inroads into the LDP's majority in the 2003 elections.

Main Political Issues

Economic reform

Efforts to restructure the way in which government money is spent have met stiff resistance. The achievements that Koizumi did make in 2001–2002 did little to offset the stagnation of the Japanese economy. He admitted in early 2003 that his reforms had been "derailed" and would take more time than had been anticipated. However, by 2004 export-led growth had begun to buoy up the domestic economy.

The emergence of two-party politics

The hegemony of the LDP, based on close links with big business and government bureaucracy, was first seriously challenged at the polls in 1993. Defeat prompted an overhaul of the electoral system, aimed at stamping out "money politics," and ensured that the party would rise again soon after, easily outmaneuvering the Shinshinto alliance. In 2003 the DPJ emerged as the main opposition, challenging the LDP on its unconvincing record of reform. Postelectoral opinion polls suggest support for a stronger opposition.