- Has 4 main islands, 3k smaller islands.

Many densly forested and its in a earthquake prone

area
- Due to lack, has had to import raw materials and energy
- But has plenty in marine industry, known for deep sea fishing and whaling. But as of 1980s,
marine resources slowed, had to import
- Agriculturally, only 14% land fertile, most farmers subsistence agriculture
- Japan decided to focus more on new-age technology like advanced computer tech,
telecommunications, etc
- Had 2nd largest gnp, behind usa in 1970s. Showed miraculous economic growth with avg of
4% in 1980s
- Industries like automobile, electronics, steel flourished in the 1980s
- Financial sector grew at a strong rate with companies like Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group,
and Mizuho Financial Group but faces threats in 1990s due to the asset bubble burst.
- In the 80s Japan had good growth of 4% on avg and tripled its gnp per capita.
- But as the 90s approached, growth stagnated and as of 1999, -0.33%.
- Increasing unemployment rate through 90s, dwindling BOP surplus
- 90s was turbulent for Japan, faced economic stagnation due to the asset bubble burst,
political instability due to frequent changes in leadership, environmental disasters. Finally
demographic shift towards ageing population creating problems for social welfare systems
and labour market
- 90s referred to as lost decade
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