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Learn The Culture Of Japan While Studying Abroad by Natasha Bright
If you are thinking about traveling or studying abroad in Japan, you are likely attracted to the unique and beautiful culture of the Japanese people. Known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is home to natural and architectural splendor, fascinating traditions, and the largest city in the world! Working on your Japanese language skills while exploring Japan will be a great adventure, but one that you will have to thoroughly prepare for. Learning a bit about the country and its people before you travel will enhance your appreciation of your experience.
Japan is a group of 6,852 islands, also called an archipelago. It is located in East Asia. The majority of Japan’s land mass is comprised of four islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. It has 108 active volcanoes, and is located in the major volcanic zone in the Pacific known as the Ring of Fire. You can expect the climate in most of Japan to be temperate. However, extreme cold can be experienced in the north, and the southwestern Ryukyu Islands have a subtropical climate.
Japan is a relatively small country, a bit smaller than California. It is among the world’s most densely-populated nations. Tokyo alone, including its suburbs, has over 30 million inhabitants. Tokyo is the capital, as well as its largest city and the world’s largest metropolitan area. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are similar to states and have distinct governments.
The structure of the Japanese government is that if the constitutional monarchy, with an Emperor whose powers are checked by parliamentary bodies. The majority of political power goes to the Prime Minister of Japan and the Diet. The Diet is comprised of two groups: the House of Representatives, which contains 480 seats, and the House of Councillors, which has 242 seats.
Japan has the world’s longest life expectancy rate, and over 23 percent of the population is over 65. All elderly people in Japan have health care provided by the government. As growing numbers of younger people are choosing not to have families in today’s Japan, the population is expected to decrease considerably, causing a decline in the workforce.
School in Japan consists of mandatory elementary and middle school education from age six to 15. Most children go on to three years of high school, and over 75 percent of high school graduates attend an institution of higher education such as a university, junior college, or trade school. The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University are the two highest ranking Japanese universities. Education is greatly valued in Japan, and it is a leading nation in scientific research, particularly technology and biomedical research.
Most visitors to Japan find a culture rich in tradition, the arts, cuisine, and recreation. Michelin guides have rated more restaurants in Japan than in any other country, making Japanese cuisine among the best in the world. Sports such as traditional Sumo, martial arts like kendo, judo, and karate, and particularly baseball are widely appreciated pastimes in Japan. Pop music and especially karaoke are also popular among the Japanese.
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Your desire to take advantage of a study abroad Japan program will prove to be both educational and memorable. With a bit of advance preparation, you can be knowledgeable about the country’s geography, government, and culture prior to traveling. You should consider doing some research on Studyabroad.com to find additional details about studies abroad.
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