Located west of the
Pacific Ocean in the Northern hemisphere, Japan is a sovereign island country
in East Asia. "Japan" means "sun origin", and is often
called the "Land of the Rising Sun". Tokyo is the capital of the
country, and it contains approximately 10% of Japan's population. Japan's
official language is Japanese. The Japanese national flag is known as Nisshoki,
and the national anthem, Kimi ga Yo. The form of government practiced in Japan
is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The main religions in Japan are
Shintoism, Buddhism and Christianity. The Japanese currency is the Yen. Listed
below are some amazing facts you may not know about Japan.
1. Japan has
the highest density of vending machines in the world. In Japan, there is
approximately 1 vending machine for every 23 people. You can buy almost
anything from these machines - from fresh eggs, fruits, vegetables, to liquor,
and underwear.
2. The
Aokigahara forest dubbed "Suicide Forest" in Japan is the world's
second most popular place to commit suicide, after the Golden Gate Bridge.
Aokigahara forest sits at the foot of Mount Fuji. The forest is so coveted by
depressed, suicidal people that a plea has been put up at the forest urging
people to choose life over death. It reads, "Your life is a precious gift
from your parents. Please think about your parents, siblings and children.
Don't keep it to yourself. Talk about your troubles."
3. Japan has
the highest rate of centenarians in the world. 67,824 out of 127 million
Japanese are over the age of 100.
4. Bathing is a special ritual in Japan. The Japanese believe a bathtub is a place where fatigue is meant to be washed off. Most Japanese homes have separate rooms for the toilet and bathtub. The room with the bathtub is what they actually call the bathroom. Before getting soaked in the bathtub, people are required to shower - washing hair and body. Japanese families traditionally use the same water for bathing. Turn after turn, all members of the family soak themselves in the same water. The father goes first, then the mother, and lastly the children.
5. According
to a report by the World Health Organization in 2015, Japan has the highest
life expectancy in the world - an average of 83.7 years for both sexes.
6. Japan is
among the top five countries with the lowest homicide rates in the world. Tokyo
is considered to be the safest city in the world in terms of crime, and Osaka,
third. Japan's homicide rate is 15 times less that of the United States despite
Japan being thrice the size of the United States.
7. Japan has
the most punctual railway system in the world. The average delay on the Tokaido
Shinkansen in 2012 was only 0.6 minutes. When trains delay for up to five
minutes, the conductor apologizes and the railway company sometimes provides a
"delay certificate" as passenger may need to justify their late
coming at work.
8. Japan has
more registered pets than it has children. In 2014, Japan had a total of 21.3
million registered pets as opposed to 16.5 million children under the age of
15.
9. Raw horse
meat, known as sakura (for its pink color), is a popular delicacy in Japan.
When served in thin slices dipped in soy sauce, it is called sashimi. When
ginger and onions are served alongside the horse meat dipped in soy, it is
called basashi.
10. Japan is
made up of more 6,853 islands, of which 430 are inhabited. Japan is ranked
among the top ten countries with the most islands.
11. Kobe beef
from Tajima-gyu cattle raised in Japan, is the most expensive beef in the world
and is renowned for its tenderness, superior flavor and high amount of
intramuscular fat. It is healthier than commercial beef because of its high
concentration of omega-3s and monounsaturated fats. Kobe beef are given special
treatment - daily massages (sometimes with Japanese rice wine), classical music
is played to them during eating time to improve their appetite, and at other
times for relaxation. 1 pound (450 grams) of kobe beef is sold at about $300 in
Japan.
12. As of
2016, Japan has the lowest birth rate in the world, with just 8 births per
thousand people. Adult diapers record higher sales than baby diapers in Japan.
13. 98% of
adoptions in Japan are childless adult men between the ages of 20 and 30. Most
adoptions are done to secure a familial heir.
14. The
world's shortest escalator is found in Japan. It is found in the basement of
More's Department Store, in Kawasaki. It has only 5 steps.
15. Japan is
the world's biggest creditor nation (2018 statistics). It has maintained this
status for the 27th straight year.
Comments
Post a Comment