[pupppyeyes22]

Country (long form)
none
Capital
Tokyo
Total Area
145,882.91 sq mi
377,835.00 sq km
(slightly smaller than California)
Population
126,549,976 (July 2000 est.)
Estimated Population in 2050
101,228,471
Languages
Japanese
Literacy
99% total, N/A% male, N/A% female (1970 est.)
Religions
observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
Life Expectancy
77.51 male, 84.05 female (2000 est.)
Government Type
constitutional monarchy
Currency
yen
GDP (per capita)
$23,400 (1999 est.)
Labor Force (by occupation)
trade and services 65%, industry 30%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5%
Industry
among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods
Agriculture
rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish
Arable Land
11%
Exports
motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals
Imports
fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, office machinery
Natural Resources
negligible mineral resources, fish
Current Environmental Issues
air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere
Telephones (main lines in use)
60.3 million (1997)
Telephones (mobile cellular)
36.5 million (1998)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
357 (1999)
(U.S. Government sources)



Inu means dog
Hito means person informally
Kata means person formally
Neru means to sleep
Oboeru means to remember
Hai means yes
Otomo-dachi means friend
Denwa means telephone
Zasshi mean magazine
Shirmasen means I do not know
Shibaraku desu ne means It's been a long time
Tookyoo e ikimashita means I went to Tokyo.
Ganbatte kudasai means Good luck
Hajimemashite means Nice to meet you
Watashi wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu means I can speak Japanese.

yatta (I did it!) Say yatta (yaht-tah) when you accomplish something big or receive a great opportunity. Passing a difficult test, getting the job you wanted, or winning the lottery all qualify as yatta material.
Honto (Realty) Say honto (hohn-tohh) to confirm what you just heard. Suppose your colleague tells you that she's marrying your boss. Respond to the news by saying honto. You can use honto in a lot of situations because unbelievable things happen every day.
A, so desu ka (Realty) Say a, so desu ka (ahh, sohh deh-soo kah) every time your conversational partner provides a new piece of information. Be sure to nod as you say this expression. If you talk casually with a Japanese person, you may use this phrase 200 times in an hour.
Mochiron (Of course!) Use this adverb when you're 100 percent confident in your opinion. If you were a married man, how would you answer this question from your wife: "Would you marry me if you had a chance to do it all over again?" Don't think about it; just say mochiron (moh-chee-rohn).

A, yokatta (Oh, good) Say a, yokatta (ahh, yoh-kaht-tah) every time you feel like saying "What a relief" or "Oh, good." If you're a worrier, you may say it ten times a day.
Zenzen (Not at all) Zenzen (zehn-zehn) is the phrase of denial. Suppose someone asks you, "Am I disturbing you?" If she isn't bothering you, say zenzen and shake your head.
Nani (What?) Say nani (nah-nee) when you don't hear or understand what the other person said. You can also say nani when you can't believe or don't like what you hear.
Ooshiyo (What shall I do?) Say doshiyo (dohh-shee-yohh) when you're in a panic and have no idea what to do. You can repeat it over and over while you try to think of a solution.
A, bikkurishita (What a surprise!) Say a, bikkurishita (ahh, beek-koo-ree-shee-tah) when you're very surprised.
ylappari (I knew it Would happen) Sometimes you have a vague suspicion that something will happen, and then it actually happens. At times like that, say yappari (yahp-pah-ree).