Japan

Japan was a feudal country with an Emperor at its head but controlled by the Shogun until 1868, when pressure to industrialise and have greater involvement from the outside world led to major change. The last Shogun gave up his position to leave the Emperor with political power and modernisation began.

After defeat in World War II, Japan became a democracy with the Emperor as figurehead. The population is approximately 125 million with only 3 million non Japanese nationals. Japanese citizens are not permitted to hold a passport for another country. Japan is approximately 20% larger than the British Isles.

It is the fourth largest economy in the world but has suffered from shrinking populations with low birth rates and an ageing population. However more women have been entering the workforce and growth in per capita GDP has been better than most developed countries.

The country is volcanic with Mount Fuji, an active volcano its highest mountain. It has regularly suffered from natural disasters- earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions.