JAPAN- AN INTRODUCTION

JAPAN IS A MODERN, thriving

democracy, yet it retained a long and
esteemed imperial tradition.
It is a rich country, ranking first among
major industrial nations in per capita gross
national product.
Japan consists of the four main islands of
Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu,
along with a plethora of smaller islands.
Japan has promoted its exports by developing
world-class industries and providing incentives for
firms to export.
The Japanese have shown widespread interest in
their traditional culture:
The tea ritual, Calligraphy, Flower Arranging,
Classical works of Art, Kabuki and Bunraku
(puppet) theater.
In addition, extensive print and broadcast media
provide information and entertainment.
 The Japanese are very conscious of their
position in society and the various roles that
they are expected to play throughout their
lives.
 The overall crime rate remains low in
comparison with other major industrialized
nations.
 THUS, JAPANESE CITIES ARE AMONG
THE SAFEST IN THE WORLD.
 HISTORY OVERVIEW
 Legend attributes the creation of Japan to the sun
goddess, from whom the emperors were
descended.
 Period Name Description
The early Japanese were
-300 BC Jomon gatherers, hunters and
fishers.
The intoduction of rice
agriculture evokes the
development of a social
300 BC-300 Yayoi hierarchy and hundreds of
small countries that
started to unify into larger
countries.
300 Japan is for the first
time more or less united.
300-538 Kofun Large tombs (kofun) were
built for the deceased
leaders.
538/552 Introduction of
Buddhism.
538-710 Asuka 645 The Taika reform is
introduced. The Fujiwara
era starts.
710 Nara becomes the
first permanent capital.
710-784 Nara
784 The capital moves to
Nagaoka.
 794 The capital moves to Heian (
Kyoto).
1016 Fujiwara Michinaga becomes
regent.
1159 The Taira clan under Taira
Kiyomori takes over the power
794-1185 Heian
after the Heiji war.
1175 The Buddhist Jodo sect (Pure
land sect) is introduced.
1180-85 In the Gempei War, the
Minamoto clan puts an end to Taira
supremacy.
1191 The Zen sect is intoduced.
1192 Minamoto Yoritomo is
appointed shogun and establishes
the Kamakura government.
.
1232 A legal code, the Joei
1192-1333 Kamakura
Shikimoku, is promulgated.
1274 and 1281 The Mongols try
to invade Japan twice, but fail
mainly because of bad weather
conditions.
1333 The Kamakura bakufu falls.
1334 Kemmu restoration: the
emperor restores power over
Japan.
1336 Ashikaga Takauji captures
Kyoto.
1337 The emperor flees and
1338-1573 Muromachi establishes the Southern court in
Yoshino.
1467-1477 Onin war.
1542 Portuguese introduce
firearms and Christianity to Japan.
1568 Nobunaga enters Kyoto.
 1575 The Takeda clan is
defeated in the battle of
Nagashino.
1582 Nobunaga is murdered
and succeeded by Toyotomi
Hideyoshi.
1588 Hideyoshi confiscates
the weapons of farmers and
Azuchi religious institutions in the
1573-1603
Momoyama "Sword Hunt".
1590 Japan is reunited after
the fall of Odawara (Hojo).
1592-98 Unsuccessful
invasion of Korea.
1598 Death of Hideyoshi.
1600 Tokugawa Ieyasu
defeats his rivals in the battle
1603
of Ieyasu is appointed
Sekigahara.
shogun and establishes the
Tokugawa government in Edo
(Tokyo).
1614 Ieyasu intensifies
persecution of Christianity.
1603 - 1867 Edo
1639 Almost complete
isolation of Japan from the rest
of the world.
1854 Commodore Matthew
Perry forces the Japanese
government to open a limited
number of ports for trade.
 1868 Meiji restoration.
1872 First railway line between Tokyo and
Yokohama.
1889 The Meiji Constitution is
1868-1912 Meiji promulgated.
1894-95 Sino-Japanese War.
1904-05 Russo-Japanese War.
1910 Annexion of Korea.
1912 Death of emperor Meiji.

1914-18 Japan joins allied forces in WW1.

1912-1926 Taisho 1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake
devastates Tokyo and Yokohama.

1931 Manchurian Incident.

1937 Second Sino-Japanese War starts.
1941 Pacific War starts.
1945 Japan surrenders after two
atomic bombs are dropped over Hiroshima
1926-1989 Showa and Nagasaki.
1946 The new constitution is promulgated.
1952 The Allied Occupation of Japan ends.
1956 Japan becomes member of the UN.
1972 Normalization of relations to China.
1973 Oil crisis.

1993 The LDP loses its majority in the diet.

1995 The Great Hanshin Earthquake hits
1989- Heisei Kobe.
Sarin Gas attack in the Tokyo subway by
AUM sect.
 GEOGRAPHY
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, Kyushu, and
Okinawa, which is about 380 miles southwest of
Kyushu. About 3,000 smaller islands are included
in the archipelago. In total land area, Japan is
slightly smaller than California.
About 73% of the country is mountainous, with a
mountain chain running through each of the main
islands. Japan's highest mountain is world-famous
Mt. Fuji (12,385 ft.) As Japan is situated in a
volcanic zone along the Pacific deeps, frequent
low-intensity earth tremors and occasional
volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands.
Location:
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the
Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula.

Area:
total: 377,835 sq km
land: 374,744 sq km
water: 3,091 sq km

Coastline: 29,751 km

Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north.

Land use:
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 67%
other: 19%

Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish

Natural hazards: many dormant and some active

volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly
tremors) every year and tsunamis.
 ECONOMY
 The Japanese economy is one of the strongest in the
world. Only the USA has a higher GNP. The Japanese
currency is the Yen.
Exports: Japan's main export goods are cars, electronic
devices and computers. Most important single trade
partner is the USA which imports more than one
quarter of all Japanese exports. Other major export
countries are Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, China
and Singapore.
Total exports in 2007 was US$ 700 billion, with an
export GDP ratio reaching to 16.3%.
There was a rapid increase in the FDI’s in Japan
totaling to US$ 22.2 billion creating a record.
Increasing expectations for ASEAN countries, a
growing number of free trade agreements (FTAs) are
coming into effect in the Asia Pacific region, in 2007-
08.
The trade surplus of Japan in 2008 has reached to 91.1
billion Yen ($830 million).
Imports: Japan has a large surplus in its export/import
balance. The most important import goods are raw
materials such as oil, foodstuffs, and wood. Major
suppliers are the USA, China, Indonesia, South Korea,
and Australia.
Industries: Manufacturing, construction, distribution, real
estate, services, and communication are Japan's major
industries today. Agriculture makes up only about 2% of
the GNP. Most important agricultural product is rice.
Resources of raw materials are very limited and the
mining industry rather small.
 The economy is highly advanced and dominated
by the services sector, accounting for 73.1% of the
economy. The industrial sector, once the engine of
Japan’s growth, contributed 25.3% of the GDP.
The agricultural sector accounts for only 1.6% of
the economy.
 For sustained growth rates and stability in the
Japanese economy, the government has recently
been considering a number of stimulus ideas to
manage inflation, increase service sector
productivity, and look at fiscal consolidation, and
reform the tax system and labor market.
 JAPANESE ART
 Japan has been subject to sudden invasions of new
ideas and cultures followed by long periods of
minimal contact with the outside world. Over time
the Japanese developed the ability to absorb,
imitate, and finally learn those elements of foreign
culture that balance their artistic preferences.
 The earliest complex art in Japan was produced in
the 7th and 8th centuries AD in connection with
Buddhism. In the 9th century, as the Japanese
began to turn away from China and develop
original forms of expression, the worldly arts
became increasingly important. Both religious and
world arts flourished.
 Japanese ceramics are among the finest in the world
and include the earliest known artifacts of their
culture. In architecture, Japanese preferences for
natural materials and an interaction of interior and
exterior space are clearly expressed.
 Japanese is art valued not only for its simplicity but
also for its colorful energy, and has considerably
influenced 19th-century Western painting.
 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
 Japan is academically considered a constitutional
monarchy with a bicameral parliament, the Kokkai
or Diet but most of Japanese feel strange to the
term monarchy and quite a few scholars argue
Japan is a republic. Japan has a royal family led by
an Emperor, but under the current constitution he
holds no power at all, not even emergency reserve
powers. The executive branch is responsible to the
Diet, consisting of a cabinet composed of a prime
minister and ministers of state, all of whom must
be civilians.
The prime minister must be a member of the Diet and is
designated by his colleagues. The prime minister has the
power to appoint and remove ministers, a majority of
whom must be Diet members. Sovereignty, previously
embodied in the emperor, is vested by the constitution in
the Japanese people, and the Emperor is defined as the
symbol of the state.
The legislative branch consists of a House of
Representatives (Shugi-in) of 480 seats, elected by popular
vote every four years, and a House of Councilors (Sangi-
in) of 247 seats, whose popularly elected members serve
six-year terms. There is universal adult suffrage with a
secret ballot for all elective offices.
The present Prime Minister of Japan is Mr. Yasuo Fukuda.
 JAPAN OVERVIEW
Japan is a major economic power both in the
Regionally and Globally. Japan has diplomatic relations
with nearly all independent nations and has been an
active member of the United Nations since 1956.
Japanese foreign policy has aimed to promote Peace
and Prosperity for the Japanese people by working
closely with the West and supporting the United Nations.
In recent years, the Japanese public has shown a
substantially greater awareness of security issues and
increasing support for the Self Defense Forces. This is in
part due to its success in disaster relief efforts at home
and its participation in peace keeping operations in
Cambodia in the early 1990s.
However, there are still significant political and
psychological constraints on strengthening Japan's defense.
Japan strongly supports the U.S. in its efforts to encourage
Pyongyang to abide by the nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty and its agreements with the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). Despite the August 31, 1998
North Korean missile test which over flew the Home
Islands, Japan has maintained its support for the Korean
Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and the
Agreed Framework, which seek to freeze the North Korean
nuclear program. The U.S., Japan, and South Korean
closely coordinate and consult trilaterally on policy toward
North Korea.
 Trade between INDIA & JAPAN
Today India and Japan share a global vision of peace,
stability and shared prosperity, based on sustainable
development. Shared democratic values and commitment
to human rights, pluralism, open society, and the rule of
law underpin the global partnership between the two
countries.
The global partnership between Japan and India reflects a
broad convergence of their long-term political, economic
and strategic interests, aspirations, objectives and
concerns. Japan and India view each other as partners
that have responsibility and are capable of, responding to
global and regional challenges in keeping with their
global partnership.
Relations have remained warm, since India's
independence. Japanese companies, like Sony, Toyota, and
Honda, have factories in India, and with the growth of the
Indian economy, India, is a big market for Japanese firms.
The most prominent Japanese company to have a big
investment in India, is automobiles giant,Suzuki is in
partnership with Indian automobiles company,Maruti
Suzuki, is among the biggest car companies in India. In
December 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to
Japan culminated in the signing of the "Joint Statement
Towards Japan-India Strategic and Global
Partnership"According to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's arc of
freedom, Japan courts India to counter China. Shinzo Abe,
also visited India, in August 2007.
To this end, Japan has funded many infrastructure projects
in India, most notably in New Delhi's metro subway system.
Indian applicants have been welcomed in 2006/07 to the
JET Programme, starting with just one slot available in 2006
and 41 in 2007. Also, in the year, 2007, the Japanese Self
Defence Forces, conducted military exercises in the Indian
Ocean, with the militaries of India, Australia, Singapore and
the United States.
Ranbaxy entered the Japanese market in the year 2002
through a Strategic Alliance with a mid sized research
pharmaceutical company, Nippon Chemiphar Limited (NC)
of Japan. In July 2005, the JV introduced its first co-
developed product Vogseal 0.2mg and 0.3mg tablets
(Generic-Voglibose) for the treatment of diabetes and
presently commands a leadership position in Japan. In
November 2005 the Company increased its equity stake in
its generic subsidiary Nihon Pharmaceutical Industry
Limited (NPI) to become a 50:50 joint venture between
Ranbaxy and Nippon Chemiphar
The sectors that attract Japanese investment include:
 Transportation (28%)
Telecommunications (18%)
Fuel (13.5%)
Chemicals (12.17 percent)
Trading (6%).
 ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Japan has been the second largest destination of Indian
exports (major exports include gems, marine products,
iron ore, and cotton yarn).

 India is also a major importer of goods from Japan, and

its importance has been growing in recent years (major
imports include machinery, plant-related products,
transport equipment, and electronic machinery).
 INDIA-JAPAN BI-LATERAL
RELATION

It is something unique that India's relations with Japan are

free of any kind of dispute - ideological, cultural or
territorial. Since diplomatic relations between Japan and
India were established in 1952, the two countries have
enjoyed cordial relations based on trade and economic and
technical cooperation. The cultural agreement between
Japan and India was signed in 1956
 Problem’s of India
However, there is a lack of clarity in the policy
guidelines. Also, most of Japanese investors feel that
ground level hassles like labour laws, taxes, legal and
regulatory framework are high in India. They consider
procedural delays a major discouraging factor for
potential investors. The infrastructure forms the
backbone of development of any country. According to
the majority of the Japanese investors, overall
infrastructure facilities are lacking in India.
To attract Japanese investment, Indian transport
infrastructure needs improvement; power facilities are
below average.
 ADVANTAGES

Enhance your domestic market.

Increase sales and profits.
Gain your global market share.
Reduce dependence on existing markets.
Exploit international trade technology
Extend sales potential of existing products.
Stabilize seasonal market fluctuations
Enhance potential for expansion of your business
Sell excess production capacity
Maintain cost competitiveness in your domestic market
 DISADVANTAGES

 You may need to wait for long-term gains

Hire staff to launch international trading
Modify your product or packaging
Develop new promotional material
Incur added administrative costs
Dedicate personnel for traveling
Wait long for payments
Apply for additional financing
 Deal with special licenses and regulations
 Japan's Trade Buddies
Top 15 Japanese Export & Import
Partners
The Land of the Rising Sun is famous for top global brands that
represent some of today's fastest-growing companies. Among Japan's
world-leading brands are Toyota, Honda, Sony and Canon.
These brands propel Japan's principal exports, namely transport
equipment, motor vehicles, electronics and electrical machinery. Japan
is also a force in chemical exports.
Below is a list of Japan's top 15 export customers, based on WTO
statistics for 2005. Total Japanese exports for 2005 amounted to
US$595 billion. The top 5 countries in the list account for some two-
thirds of total Japanese exports.
 SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTH:
 Fastest economic growth with 8.9% GDP increases.

 Highly urbanized and industrialized economic power.

 Widespread interest in traditional culture and societal

relationship.

 High per capita income.

 Multi-cultural nation and technological supported

nation.
 WEAKNESS:

 Insular geography

 Restrictive distribution process especially in non-

tariff barriers.

 Dependent on technology as capital intensive

countries

 Labors cost is high.

 Rules and regulation is very much strict.

 OPPORTUNITY:
 Educational standard are high with 99% literacy

 Constitutional monarchy with bicameral parliament.

 Direct investment in emerging market economy due

to increase in GDP.

 Economy is highly advanced in the service sector

with 73.1% growth.

 Control pollution and helps in the export of various

products with a reliability and adaptability.
 THREAT:

 Heavy import barrier.

 Emerging market economy like china.

 Competition from the new and old enterants.

 Natural hazards like tsunami,hurricanes causes

very serious effect for the country.
 CONCLUSION
As Japan moves toward the twenty-first century, it is
faced with a series of dilemmas. How can it continue
to grow as a world economic leader without
assuming a greater political role?
And how can it be considered a political leader
when it can not even provide for the security of its
own territory without foreign assistance?
Its trading partners complain that Japan enjoys an
unfair advantage. Yet when Japanese firms invest in
their economies, they raise the specter of Japanese
domination.
Each international crisis finds Western powers
calling on Japan to "contribute its fair share" to the
peacekeeping forces. At the same time, the Japanese
people and their Asian neighbors, remembering the
terrible lessons of World War II, demand that there
be no extension of Japanese military power beyond
its borders.
With fewer than five years until the next century,
Japan has yet to come to grips with these questions