Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)
Constitution:
3 May 1947
Legal system:
modeled after German civil law system with English-American
influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 24 September 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires
that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following
legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of
majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime
minister; monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or
Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half
reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat
constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House
of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for
four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by
proportional representation in 11 regional blocs)
elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be
held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 11
September 2005 (next election by September 2009)
election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5,
others 18
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat
constituencies) - LDP 47.8%, DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party
- LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24 (2007)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after
designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the
cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Ichiro OZAWA]; Japan Communist
Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Akihiro OTA]; Liberal Democratic
Party or LDP [Taro ASO]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho
FUKUSHIMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: business groups; trade unions
International organization participation:
ADB, AfDB (nonregional members), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue
partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP,
EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG,
OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF
(partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI
chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187
consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver,
Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER
embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300
telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000
FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862
consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo
consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya
Flag description:
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in
the center
Economy
Japan
Economy - overview:
Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of
high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of
GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of
second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the
US and the third-largest economy in the world after the US and
China, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. One
notable characteristic of the economy has been how manufacturers,
suppliers, and distributors have worked together in closely-knit
groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the
guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the
urban labor force. Both features have now eroded. Japan's industrial
sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The
tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with
crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient
in rice, Japan must import about 55% of its food on a caloric basis.
Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and
accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades,
overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in
the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s.
Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely
because of the after effects of overinvestment and an asset price
bubble during the late 1980s that required a protracted period of
time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. From 2000
to 2001, government efforts to revive economic growth proved short
lived and were hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and
Asian economies. In 2002-07, growth improved and the lingering fears
of deflation in prices and economic activity lessened, leading the
central bank to raise interest rates to 0.25% in July 2006, up from
the near 0% rate of the six years prior, and to 0.50% in February
2007. In addition, the 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which
has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but
also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's
largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007,
marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform.
Nevertheless, Japan's huge government debt, which totals 182% of
GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run
problems. Some fear that a rise in taxes could endanger the current
economic recovery. Debate also continues on the role of and effects
of reform in restructuring the economy, particularly with respect to
increasing income disparities.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.272 trillion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.384 trillion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$33,500 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 26.5%
services: 72% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
66.69 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 27.8%
services: 67.7% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
3.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.8%
highest 10%: 21.7% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.1 (2002)
Investment (gross fixed):
23.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.462 trillion
expenditures: $1.567 trillion (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Public debt:
170% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
1.88% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$4.37 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$4.783 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$9.653 trillion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products,
eggs; fish
Industries:
among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of
motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and
nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
1.082 trillion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
982.5 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 60%
hydro: 8.4%
nuclear: 29.8%
other: 1.8% (2001)
Oil - production:
129,800 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
5.007 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - exports:
168,800 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
5.47 million bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
44.12 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:
3.729 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
100.3 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
95.62 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:
$210.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$678.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical
machinery, chemicals
Exports - partners:
US 20.4%, China 15.3%, South Korea 7.6%, Taiwan 6.3%, Hong Kong 5.4%
(2007)
Imports:
$573.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw
materials
Imports - partners:
China 20.5%, US 11.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, UAE 5.2%, Australia 5%,
South Korea 4.4%, Indonesia 4.2% (2007)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $11.19 billion (2006)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$954.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.492 trillion (30 June 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$110.8 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$533.1 billion (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.737 trillion (2005)
Currency (code):
yen (JPY)
Currency code:
JPY
Exchange rates:
yen (JPY) per US dollar - 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006), 110.22
(2005), 108.19 (2004), 115.93 (2003)
Communications
Japan
Telephones - main lines in use:
51.232 million (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
107.339 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of
every kind
international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide
links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US;
satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat
(Pacific and Indian Ocean regions
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave
21 (2001)
Radios:
120.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3
TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999)
Televisions:
86.5 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.jp
Internet hosts:
39.909 million (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
73 (2000)
Internet users:
88.11 million (2007)
Transportation
Japan
Airports:
176 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 145
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 41
1,524 to 2,437 m: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 28
under 914 m: 29 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 27 (2007)
Heliports:
14 (2007)
Pipelines:
gas 3,939 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2007)
Railways:
total: 23,474 km
standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,182 km
1.067-m gauge (13,334 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km
electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 1,196,999 km
paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways)
unpaved: 247,898 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 683
by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 30, carrier 3, chemical tanker 27,
container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 135,
petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 51,
vehicle carrier 61
registered in other countries: 3,074 (Australia 1, Bahamas 87,
Belize 8, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 13, China
2, Cyprus 21, France 1, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 111, Indonesia 6, Isle
of Man 6, Italy 1, South Korea 20, Liberia 116, Malaysia 4, Malta 8,
Marshall Islands 17, Nigeria 1, Norway 29, Panama 2335, Philippines
81, Portugal 15, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 3, Singapore 131, Thailand 4, UK 4, US 7, Vanuatu 29,
Vietnam 1, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo,
Tomakomai, Yohohama
Military
Japan
Military branches:
Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force
(Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai,
MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 27,819,804
females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 22.963 million
females age 16-49: 22,134,127 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 622,168
female: 590,153 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
Transnational Issues
Japan
Disputes - international:
the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and
Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern
Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied
by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed
by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace
treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South
Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South
Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to
the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and
Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East
China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Jersey
Introduction
Jersey
Background:
Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of
the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and
England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German
troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is
not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally
responsible for its defense and international representation.
Geography
Jersey
Location:
Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:
49 15 N, 2 10 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 116 sq km
land: 116 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
70 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
temperate; mild winters and cool summers
Terrain:
gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 143 m
Natural resources:
arable land
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population
concentrated in Saint Helier
People
Jersey
Population:
91,533 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 7,851/female 7,298)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 30,744/female 30,997)
65 years and over: 16% (male 6,499/female 8,144) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.3 years
male: 41.6 years
female: 43.1 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.221% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
8.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
9.36 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.01 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.65 years
male: 77.15 years
female: 82.35 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups:
Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%,
Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church,
Methodist, Presbyterian
Languages:
English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
Literacy:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government
Jersey
Country name:
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form: Jersey
Dependency status:
British crown dependency
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Saint Helier
geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement,
Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary,
Saint Quen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes;
justice is administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June
2006)
head of government: Chief Minister Frank WALKER (since December
2005); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005)
elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are
elected by the Assembly of States; the monarch is hereditary;
lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting
members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are
constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are
deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy
bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the
Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch)
elections: last held 19 October 2005 for senators and 23 November
2005 for deputies (next to be held on 15 October 2008)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55
Judicial branch:
Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)
Political parties and leaders:
two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance
note: all senators and deputies elected in 2005 were independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support);
Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association);
Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La
Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress
Jersey [Darius J. PEARCE, Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human
rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or
RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle);
Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building
preservation)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the
flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red
shield with the three lions of England in yellow
Economy
Jersey
Economy - overview:
Jersey's economy is based on international financial services,
agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for
about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes,
and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to
the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and
represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to
the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of
GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry
to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry
has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear.
All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a
large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties
make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to
those of the UK.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$57,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 2%
services: 97% (2005)
Labor force:
53,560 (June 2006)
Unemployment rate:
2.2% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $829 million
expenditures: $851 million (2005)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products
Industries:
tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - consumption:
630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs,
textiles
Exports - partners:
UK (2006)
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs,
mineral fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
UK (2006)
Debt - external:
$NA
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Currency (code):
Jersey pound
note: the British pound is also legal tender
Currency code:
GBP
Exchange rates:
Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493
(2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003)
note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound
Communications
Jersey
Telephones - main lines in use:
73,900 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
83,900 (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey and UK
Radio broadcast stations:
AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1997)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.je
Internet hosts:
190 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
NA
Internet users:
27,000 (2005)
Transportation
Jersey
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 358 km (2002)
Ports and terminals:
Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier
Military
Jersey
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 587
female: 540 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Jersey
Disputes - international:
none