Chief of State: Emperor

Akihito

As the Emperor of Japan,

Akihito is “the symbol of the

state and of the unity of the

Japanese people.” Born in

1933, he succeeded to the

throne in 1989. He has made

an effort to bring the Imperial

Family closer to the Japanese

people, and has also issued

several wide-ranging

statements of remorse to Asian

countries, for their suffering

under Japanese occupation.

He is also a published ichthyological researcher.

Head of Government: Prime

Minster Yukio Hatoyama

As President of the Democrat

Party of Japan, Hatoyama took

office as prime minister of

Japan on September 16, 2009

after the DPJ’s success in

Japan’s general election. This

marks a significant shift in

Japanese politics, as it is only

the second time in over 50

years that the centre right,

conservative Liberal

Democratic Party (LDP) has

not been the ruling party in

Japan.

Hatoyama is from a prominent

Japanese political family; his

father was a foreign minister,

and his grandfather was the

first prime minister of the LDP

in 1955. Hatoyama co-founded

the DPJ in 1996 with his

younger brother.

The DPJ has promised to

reverse Japan’s economic

decline and redefine its

relationship with the US.

Concerns

Suicide

At over 30,000 people a year, Japan has one of the

highest suicide rates in the world, especially among

industrialized nations. Unemployment, depression, and

social pressures are some of the most prevalent causes,

with the economic collapse of the 90s causing

significant increases and the 2008 economic crisis

potentially doing the same. Cultural perceptions of

suicide also contribute to the problem.

Japan’s “Lost Generation”

The economic collapse of the 1990s had far reaching

consequences for many who came of age during the

time. Many were compelled to take temporary positions

lacking in advancement, shift between unskilled or

menial jobs, or become NEETs (Not in Employment,

Education, or Training). Even as the economy has

shown improvement in recent years, they are now being

passed over for jobs in favour of new graduates.

Environment

As an island nation susceptible to rising sea levels and a

signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, Japan is committed to

environmental conservation, particularly in regard to

limiting global warming and ozone depletion.

Discrimination

Social discrimination against descendants of burakumin,

outcast communities from the feudal era, as well as

racism and xenophobia towards ethnic minorities and

foreigners from other Asian countries, are a deep and serious problem for Japan.

Suggested prayer topics

• Pray for those suffering from depression and

mental illness in Japan, that they would find hope.

• Pray for the “Lost Generation,” that they can find

work, that employers would offer them full time

positions, and that they can experience relief from

their anxiety.

• Pray for the environment, that its preservation can

be balanced with Japan’s economic development.

• Pray for an end to racism and discrimination in

Japan.

• Pray for reconciliation between Japan and other

Asian countries over issues and crimes from World

War II

• Pray for challenges related to low fertility rates and

an aging population

• Pray for Japan’s political leaders, that they may

reign wisely for the benefit of their country and for

the world

• Pray for the advancement of justice and selfless love in Japan

Japan

Population: 127,078,679

Life Expectancy: 82.12 years

Fertility Rate: 1.21 children/woman

School Life Expectancy: 15 years

Religion: Shintoism (83.9%), Buddhism (71.4%), Christianity (2%),

Other (7.8%). Religion in Japan is complex and syncretic; many

people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism, while others may

practice rituals of each without considering themselves members of

either.

Now the world’s third largest economy measured on a purchasing

power parity basis, Japan rose to its present state after its defeat in

World War II left its cities and economy battered. Japan’s current

constitution as well as its ties to the US arose out of the Allied

occupation of Japan, which lasted until 1952. Following this,

government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high

technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of

GDP) allowed Japan to experience unprecedented economic growth

until a slowdown following the collapse of a bubble economy in the

1990s. Japan’s economy is considered to have shown signs of

recovery from about 2005, but unemployment rates have since reached

record highs in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Japan the has the 8th highest Human Development Index standard of

living, the highest life expectancy in the world, and boasts a 99%

literacy rate for those over 15.