Japan

Japan
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	14th best
Capital	Tokyo
Land Area	364 500km21
Location	Asia
Population	127.2m2
Life Expectancy	84.78yrs (2017)3
GNI	$42 274 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	JP, JPN, 3925
Internet Domain	.jp6
Currency	Yen (JPY)7
Telephone	+818

1. Overview
2. Japan National and Social Development
3. Japan's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Japan's Health
6. Japan's Modernity and Learning
7. National Culture
8. Peace Versus Instability
9. The Natural Environment
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

---

1. Overview

#china #japan #russia #taiwan #USA

“In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains a major economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killing thousands and damaging several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Japan is a world apart - a cultural Galápagos where a unique civilisation blossomed, and thrives today in delicious contrasts of traditional and modern. Japan hits the travel sweet spot. It´s unique enough to give you regular doses of `Wow!´ without any downside. Indeed, travelling in Japan is remarkably comfortable, even with the language barrier thrown in - but it´s never familiar. Staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is marvellously different from staying in a chain hotel. Soaking naked in an onsen (hot spring) with a bunch of strangers might be a little odd at first, but it is beyond relaxing. Sitting in a robe on tatami mats eating raw fish and mountain vegetables may not be how you dine back home, but it is unforgettably delicious.

Perhaps more than any country on earth, Japan makes you think. It was never extensively missionised or colonised. It practises an ancient animist/pantheist religion while pushing the boundaries of modern technology. It is a country where tens of millions of people can cram into crowded cities without ever losing their temper. And while you explore Japan, you will regularly find yourself awed by how the Japanese do things.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Japan National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
16	Liechtenstein	0.935
17	Luxembourg	0.930
18	UK	0.929
19	Japan	0.925
20	S. Korea	0.925
21	USA	0.921
22	Israel	0.919
23	Malta	0.918
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
28	S. Korea	$44 501
29	New Zealand	$44 057
30	Italy	$42 840
31	Japan	$42 274
32	Israel	$41 524
33	Slovenia	$39 746
34	Bahrain	$39 497
35	Malta	$38 884
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Norway	25.2
2	Denmark	26.1
3	Taiwan	26.6
	...
11	Switzerland	32.3
12	Iceland	32.5
13	Luxembourg	33.3
14	Japan	33.3
15	UK	34.2
16	Australia	34.5
17	Ireland	36.2
18	Belgium	36.3
	Asia Avg	72.4
	World Avg	70.6
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Japan's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Japan's population is predicted to fall to 120 218 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.40. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
7	Nigeria	195.9m
8	Bangladesh	161.4m
9	Russia	145.7m
10	Japan	127.2m
11	Mexico	126.2m
12	Ethiopia	109.2m
13	Philippines	106.7m
14	Egypt	98.4m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best13
Pos.		201313
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
96	Malaysia	2.58
97	Hungary	1.42
98	Romania	1.42
99	Japan	1.40
100	Poland	1.40
101	Nepal	2.60
102	Macedonia	1.40
103	Fiji	2.61
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better14
Pos.		2016 Per 10014
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3	Chad	04.7
	...
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
180	Finland	43.3
181	Hong Kong	43.7
182	Portugal	44.7
183	Germany	47.7
184	Italy	48.6
185	Japan	53.1
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.		2017 %15
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
130	Guyana	2.0%
131	Central African Rep.	1.9%
132	Romania	1.9%
133	Japan	1.8%
134	Sudan	1.8%
135	Albania	1.8%
136	Pakistan	1.7%
137	Nepal	1.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants16
Pos.		2010 %16
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
185	Qatar	0.7%
186	Nigeria	0.6%
187	Maldives	0.6%
188	China	0.6%
189	Japan	0.6%
190	Oman	0.5%
191	Madagascar	0.4%
192	Montenegro	0.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #japan #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank17
1	Sweden	9.2
2	Norway	14.7
3	Denmark	14.7
	...
23	Czechia	37.9
24	Ireland	38.5
25	Chile	40.1
26	Japan	42.1
27	Slovakia	42.7
28	Estonia	42.9
	Asia Avg	99.8
	World Avg	87.7
q=199.

Japan performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Japan comes in the best 20 in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₁₈ (the best in Asia). It does better than average in opposing gender inequality₁₉, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₀ (amongst the best in Asia), its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₁, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₂ (one of the lowest in Asia), freethought₂₃, LGBT equality₂₄ (one of the highest in Asia), supporting press freedom₂₅ and in speed of uptake of HR treaties₂₆. Japan allows extensive religious freedom and has one of the lowest rates of religious persecution worldwide₂₇. In 2017, it strengthened laws against sexual violence, further increasing protections for women's rights₂₈. But, there's bad news too. Japan does worse than average in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₉. Japan is famed for being insular, and likewise its attitude towards asylum seekers is needlessly uncooperative - granting just 28 out of 10,901 applicants in 2016₂₈ and allowing substandard and abusive behaviour towards imported workers₂₈.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Japan

5. Japan's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #Japan #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Hong Kong	18.3
2	Maldives	41.0
3	Singapore	42.6
4	Japan	51.0
5	S. Korea	51.3
6	Sri Lanka	52.9
7	Bhutan	55.1
8	China	60.4
9	Brunei	62.6
10	Malaysia	62.8
11	Oman	62.9
12	N. Korea	65.0
13	Thailand	65.3
	Asia Avg	80.1
q=50.

Health (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
4	Singapore	42.6
5	Japan	51.0
6	S. Korea	51.3
7	Sri Lanka	52.9
8	Bhutan	55.1
9	China	60.4
10	Norway	61.0
11	Brunei	62.6
12	Malaysia	62.8
	World Avg	93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau₃₁.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Japan does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Japan comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy₁₁ (amongst the highest in Asia), its adolescent birth rate₁₉ and in its fertility rate₁₃. It does better than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₂ and in its immunizations take-up₃₃. But, there's bad news too. Japan does worse than average when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate₃₄ and in its smoking rate₃₅. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its suicide rate₃₆ (amongst the highest in Asia). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Japan throughout the 1990s was the highest in the world, starting at 79yrs, except a few years where Andorra took the top spot. It improved this by another +5.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, although less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34
Pos.		2016 Per Capita34
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
115	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.8
116	Brazil	7.8
117	Panama	7.9
118	Japan	8.0
119	Montenegro	8.0
120	Malta	8.1
121	Macedonia	8.1
122	Burkina Faso	8.2
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best13
Pos.		201313
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
96	Malaysia	2.58
97	Hungary	1.42
98	Romania	1.42
99	Japan	1.40
100	Poland	1.40
101	Nepal	2.60
102	Macedonia	1.40
103	Fiji	2.61
	Asia Avg	2.46
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates Lower is better35
Pos.		201435
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
159	Serbia	1 644
160	Cyprus	1 688
161	Croatia	1 709
162	Japan	1 713
163	Hungary	1 759
164	Estonia	1 775
165	Ukraine	1 854
166	Jordan	1 855
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate36
Pos.		2013 Per 100k36
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
81	Slovenia	44
82	Ukraine	44.8
83	Latvia	48.2
84	Japan	49.4
85	Hungary	50.6
86	Kazakhstan	52.4
87	Guyana	52.4
88	Belarus	57.5
	Asia Avg	19.50
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
18	Jordan	18
19	S. Korea	19
20	Kuwait	20
21	Japan	21
22	Spain	22
23	France	23
24	Italy	24
25	Qatar	25
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better37
Pos.		2016 %37
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
26	Equatorial Guinea	26.7
27	Comoros	27.1
28	Bhutan	27.1
29	Japan	27.2
30	Angola	27.5
31	Philippines	27.6
32	Sierra Leone	27.7
33	Tanzania	27.7
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Here's an example of what this can look like, from an author who is clearly in awe with Japanese longevity:

“In April 2016 I visited a Japanese abstract artist, Toko Shinoda, who had her first public exhibition in 1940 and is still producing art every day at the age of 103. In 2015 she had a book published jointly with a journalist who interviewed her which sold more than 500,000 copies, an indication that the Japanese public is now fascinated by such centenarianism. She lives alone at her apartment and studio in central Tokyo, and is looked after by a maid who commutes one hour each way, six days a week, for the task. The maid is 78.”

"The Fate of the West" by Bill Emmott (2017)₃₈

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better19
Pos.		2015 Per 100019
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
4	Hong Kong	3.2
5	Slovenia	3.8
6	Singapore	3.8
7	Netherlands	4.0
8	Denmark	4.0
9	Japan	4.1
10	Cyprus	5.0
11	Sweden	5.7
12	Norway	5.9
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better33
Pos.		2015 Avg %33
1	Hungary	99.0
2	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
51	Croatia	95.9
52	Nicaragua	95.9
53	Tunisia	95.7
54	Japan	95.7
55	Portugal	95.7
56	Qatar	95.6
57	Armenia	95.6
58	Uruguay	95.6
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Japan's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.9
3	S. Korea	24.0
4	Singapore	27.9
5	Israel	32.2
6	Hong Kong	32.6
7	Russia	40.6
8	Turkey	50.1
9	Malaysia	50.2
10	Macau	50.8
11	Cyprus	54.0
12	UAE	56.0
13	Saudi Arabia	60.4
	Asia Avg	79.0
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
16	UK	21.5
17	Canada	21.6
18	Ireland	21.7
19	Japan	21.9
20	S. Korea	24.0
21	Faroe Islands	24.0
22	Hungary	24.2
23	Luxembourg	24.4
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2940
2	Israel	4.1140
3	Japan	3.5840
4	Finland	3.1740
5	Sweden	3.1640
6	Denmark	3.0540
7	Taiwan	3.0140
8	Austria	3.0041
9	Switzerland	2.9642
10	Germany	2.8440
11	USA	2.7443
12	Belgium	2.4640
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better44
Pos.		201844
1	Luxembourg	100.0%
2	Estonia	100.0%
3	Austria	100.0%
	...
29	Lithuania	94.9%
30	Ukraine	94.6%
31	Tonga	93.7%
32	Japan	93.6%
33	Tajikistan	93.1%
34	Barbados	92.9%
35	Albania	92.9%
36	Belarus	92.2%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better45
Pos.		2021 Years45
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
52	Tunisia	15.4
53	Peru	15.4
54	Kuwait	15.3
55	Japan	15.2
56	Liechtenstein	15.2
57	Mauritius	15.2
58	Belarus	15.2
59	Croatia	15.1
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
58	Central African Rep.	58
59	Kenya	59
60	Egypt	60
61	Japan	61
62	Malta	62
63	Ghana	63
64	Samoa	64
65	Jordan	65
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better46
Pos.		2015 Score46
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
4	Macau	1582
5	Estonia	1573
6	Taiwan	1571
7	Canada	1571
8	Finland	1568
9	S. Korea	1557
10	China	154347
11	Ireland	1528
12	Slovenia	1528
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better48
Pos.		2018 %48
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4	Switzerland	9
5	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7	UK	10
8	Sweden	10
9	Japan	10
10	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12	France	11
	Asia Avg	55.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better49
Pos.		200649
1	Hong Kong	108
2	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
4	Japan	105
5	Taiwan	105
6	China	105
7	Italy	102
8	Iceland	101
9	Switzerland	101
10	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12	Norway	100
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better50
Pos.		201650
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
15	UAE	92%
16	Bahrain	92%
17	Estonia	91%
18	Japan	91%
19	New Zealand	89%
20	USA	89%
21	Canada	89%
22	Belgium	89%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better51
Pos.		201351
1	Ireland	0.11
2	Luxembourg	0.11
3	Belize	0.11
4	Hong Kong	0.12
5	Mexico	0.16
6	Israel	0.20
7	Colombia	0.22
8	S. Africa	0.22
9	Japan	0.22
10	Philippines	0.24
11	Czechia	0.24
12	Argentina	0.27
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better52
Pos.		2017 Ratio52
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
8	Portugal	26.6
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
13	Canada	18.3
14	Peru	18.3
15	Ecuador	18.2
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better53
Pos.		2022 %53
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
118	Portugal	26.0
119	Lebanon	24.0
120	Egypt	23.0
121	S. Korea	22.0
122	Afghanistan	21.0
123	Belgium	21.0
124	Japan	20.0
125	Cambodia	19.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better54
Pos.		2022 Points54
1	Denmark	90.0
2	Finland	87.0
3	New Zealand	87.0
	...
16	Iceland	74.0
17	Canada	74.0
18	UK	73.0
19	Japan	73.0
20	Belgium	73.0
21	France	72.0
22	Austria	71.0
23	Seychelles	70.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better55
Pos.		2018 Score55
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
51	Slovenia	5.9
52	Romania	5.9
53	Latvia	5.9
54	Japan	5.9
55	Mauritius	5.9
56	Jamaica	5.9
57	S. Korea	5.9
58	Northern Cyprus	5.8
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
42	Namibia	42
43	St Vincent & Grenadines	43
44	Cyprus	44
45	Japan	45
46	Moldova	46
47	Greece	47
48	Australia	48
49	Seychelles	49
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
44	Fiji	44
45	Bosnia & Herzegovina	45
46	Poland	46
47	Japan	47
48	Armenia	48
49	UAE	49
50	Greece	50
51	Niger	51
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

The Charities Aid Foundation has offered some commentary on why the culture of Japan doesn't involve much direct social help between citizens, and hence why it has consistently scored towards the bottom of the World Giving Index:

“Japan has historically had an unusually limited civil society for an advanced industrialised nation - the rules around charitable giving are complex, expectations of state provision are high, and organised nonprofits are a relatively new phenomena.”

Charities Aid Foundation (2021)

Japan also has an excellent long-term record on keeping corruption low.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#2010s #extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better56
Pos.		2023 Score56
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
4	New Zealand	1.31
5	Austria	1.32
6	Singapore	1.33
7	Portugal	1.33
8	Slovenia	1.33
9	Japan	1.34
10	Switzerland	1.34
11	Canada	1.35
12	Czechia	1.38
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
15	Colombia	15
16	Costa Rica	16
17	Hungary	17
18	Japan	18
19	Chile	19
20	Kazakhstan	20
21	Thailand	21
22	Algeria	22
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
44	Kenya	44
45	Serbia	45
46	Bolivia	46
47	Japan	47
48	Czechia	48
49	Argentina	49
50	Brazil	50
51	Dominican Rep.	51
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better57
Pos.		2019 Score57
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
70	Finland	2.03
71	Haiti	2.18
72	Kosovo	2.26
73	Japan	2.29
74	Netherlands	2.35
75	Ecuador	2.46
76	Kuwait	2.49
77	Malaysia	2.50
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 Higher is better58
Pos.		2015 %58
1	Iceland	+205.6
2	Bahrain	+144.4
3	Uruguay	+131.3
	...
77	Russia	+00.8
78	Sweden	+00.8
79	Mongolia	+00.1
80	Japan	00.0
81	Afghanistan	00.0
82	Yemen	00.0
83	Tuvalu	00.0
84	Libya	00.0
	Asia Avg	+07.0
	World Avg	+02.8
q=184.

Environmental Performance Higher is better59
Pos.		201859
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
17	New Zealand	76.0
18	Netherlands	75.5
19	Israel	75.0
20	Japan	74.7
21	Australia	74.1
22	Greece	73.6
23	Taiwan	72.8
24	Cyprus	72.6
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better60
Pos.		201460
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
43	Chile	10.42
44	Lithuania	10.42
45	Norway	10.42
46	Japan	10.20
47	Brazil	10.10
48	Algeria	10.00
49	Macedonia	10.00
50	Croatia	10.00
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		0 Signed
1	China	1993 Dec 29
2	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
3	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
17	Mongolia	1993 Dec 29
18	St Kitts & Nevis	1993 Dec 29
19	New Zealand	1993 Dec 29
20	Japan	1993 Dec 29
21	Uganda	1993 Dec 29
22	Belarus	1993 Dec 29
23	Burkina Faso	1993 Dec 29
24	Bahamas	1993 Dec 29
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better61
Pos.		2011 %61
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
14	Nicaragua	67.0%
15	El Salvador	66.8%
16	Indonesia	66.5%
17	Japan	64.7%
18	Panama	64.6%
19	Peru	63.9%
20	Chile	63.8%
21	Ivory Coast	63.7%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Many rich countries. including Japan, are increasing their forest cover whilst they import foods and goods that result from deforestation elsewhere. Tracing supply chains is difficult and supply firms obfuscate the chain of production so it's difficult to tell what products are to blame, and, some governments are particularly reluctant to fund investigations into the deforestation footprint of imports.

“Keiichiro Kanemoto and Nguyen Tien Hoang, of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Japan, combined data on global forest loss with that on international trade between 2001 and 2015. They calculated that rich-country demand [...] contributed to a net loss of 20,000 square kilometres of forest in the rest of the world in 2015 alone.”

The Economist (2021)₆₂

Japan is one of the better countries, but, its imports of cotton and sesame seeds fund the destruction of forests in coastal Tanzania₆₃. The USA should take deforestation more seriously and engage in the international efforts, as the negative effects of deforestation will affect us all, but cannot be handled well by countries working alone.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better64
Pos.		201964
1	Iceland	2.40
2	Singapore	2.50
3	Hong Kong	2.50
4	Sweden	2.90
5	Slovenia	2.90
6	Japan	2.90
7	Finland	3.00
8	Czechia	3.00
9	Norway	3.00
10	S. Korea	3.00
11	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better65
Pos.		2017 %65
1	Ukraine	25.0
2	Belarus	25.4
3	Slovenia	25.4
	...
30	Ireland	31.8
31	Lebanon	31.8
32	Montenegro	31.9
33	Japan	32.1
34	Mongolia	32.3
35	Switzerland	32.3
36	Bangladesh	32.4
37	Mauritania	32.6
	Asia Avg	35.2
	World Avg	38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #japan #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)48
Pos.		Lower is better %48
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4	Switzerland	9
5	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7	UK	10
8	Sweden	10
9	Japan	10
10	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12	France	11
13	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17	Lithuania	16
18	S. Korea	16
19	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)66
Pos.		Higher is better %66
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
4	Czechia	61
5	Estonia	49
6	Denmark	48
7	France	44
8	Belgium	43
9	Netherlands	42
10	Germany	42
11	UK	42
12	Cuba	40
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₇:

Christian	1.6%
Muslim	0.2%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	36.2%
Folk Religion	0.4%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	57%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 38.6% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 10% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8%. note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005)₆₈.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on JapanIpsos (2011).. Belief in heaven and hell is at just 4%. More people don't know what to believe (37%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (37%). Also, 3% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 10% believe in reincarnation, which seems very low compared to the numbers of Buddhists.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: From the 1950s Japan reformed itself, granting extensive religious freedom to its citizens and attaining one of the lowest rates of violent religious persecution worldwide₂₇. Its Constitution grants "strong protections of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as a clear separation of religion and state"₆₉.

The Soka Gakkai sect has 8 million members in Japan₇₀.

Links:

• The End of the World is Nigh! The Dangers of Apocalyptism and End-Times Beliefs: 6.2. The Sarin Gas Attacks in Japan, by Aum

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Japan: 4.3. Freedom of Thought

There isn't much information in the database for Japan, most likely because it is either a part of another country (i.e., a territory or possession) and therefore most international statistics are counted for the country as a whole, or, this is such an exotic place that little data exists about it.