Visas
U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries which have Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan (e.g. Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Singapore, etc.), do not need a visa to stay in Japan for 90 days or less to attend business meetings or conferences, make business contacts or go sightseeing, engage in sports and other non-remunerative activities. They just have to present their passport and a confirmed round-trip airline ticket to the immigration officer upon arrival in Japan.
Nationals of all other countries must obtain a visa from a Japanese Embassy or Consulate abroad before they can enter Japan. The type of visa will correspond to the purpose of the visit. A visa is required all foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, intending to reside in Japan, obtain employment or otherwise engage in any remunerative activity.
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Currency
The Japanese unit of currency is the yen (¥). Bank notes are ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000. Click here for currency conversion.
Credit Cards
Japan remains primarily a cash society. Credit cards are still not widely used.
Tipping
Tipping is not common in Japan as there is a 10% service charge plus a 5% tax attached to the bill at most hotels and restaurants.
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Useful Numbers
Call 110 (Police); 119 (Fire/Ambulance) toll-free, for 24-hour, 7-days-a-week service
Electricity
100 volts. Two different cycles are used: 50 in eastern Japan including Tokyo, and 60 in western Japan including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka
Health Risks
Food is safe in Tokyo. Monitoring by the health
department is very strict and standards are high in almost all restaurants.
It's generally safe to eat food prepared and sold by street vendors. But
travelers allergic to MSG should be vigilant as many restaurants use a lot
of it. Tapwater is safe, but sometimes it has a musty odor or a strong
smell of chlorine. Bottled water tastes better and is available almost
everywhere.
Time Zone
GMT + 9, same as South Korea
Business Hours
Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Government offices and post offices from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Stores from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Public Holidays
2008
01 Jan New Year's Day.
02-03 Jan* Bank Holiday.
14 Jan Coming of Age Day.
11 Feb National Foundation Day.
20 Mar Vernal Equinox.
29 Apr Showa Day.
03 May Constitution Memorial Day.
05 May Greenery Day (forwarded from 4 May).
05 May Children's Day.
21 Jul Marine Day.
15 Sep Respect for the Aged Day.
23 Sep Autumnal Equinox.
13 Oct Sports Day.
03 Nov Culture Day.
24 Nov Labour Thanksgiving Day (forwarded from 23 Nov).
23 Dec Birthday of the Emperor.
31 Dec Bank Holiday.
2009
01 Jan New Year's Day.
12 Jan Coming of Age Day.
11 Feb National Foundation Day.
20 Mar Vernal Equinox.
29 Apr Showa Day.
03 May Constitution Memorial Day.
04 May Constitution Memorial Day *(observed).
04 May Greenery Day.
05 May Children's Day.
20 July Marine Day.
21 Sept Respect for the Aged Day.
23 Sept Autumnal Equinox.
12 Oct Sports Day.
03 Nov Culture Day.
23 Nov Labor Thanksgiving Day.
23 Dec Birthday of the Emperor.
31 Dec Bank Holiday.
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Climate
The Japanese islands stretch for 3,000 km. The northern end is in the sub-arctic climate zone, while the southern end is in the monsoon climate zone. In summer, southeast winds bring rains to the coastal regions facing the Pacific. Spring is from March-May; summer from June-August; autumn from September-November; winter from December-February. Click here for 3-day weather forecast of Tokyo. Click here for 10-day weather forecast in Tokyo
Clothing
In recent years, the Japanese have become more casual in their clothing. For business, however, conservative attire is still the safe choice. This means subtle colors and the standard corporate outfit -- dark suits for men, conservative dresses or suits for women.
March-May: In early spring, there are days cold enough to require a heavy coat. But in May, it gets so warm that short-sleeves are best in the daytime.
June-August: Short-sleeves, or even sleeveless shirts, with sandals may be worn all day long. It may be necessary, however, to carry a light cover-up when you go out, just in case you go into air-conditioned buildings or facilities.
September-November: Throughout September short-sleeved shirts and sandals may be worn.
December-February: As it gets quite chilly in the morning and evening, a thick coat will be needed even during the daytime. Furthermore, a scarf, gloves, and pocket warmers will be useful to keep one warm outdoors.
GDP Growth Rate
2.7%
Inflation
-0.3%
Major Exports
Manufactures, including machinery, motor vehicles, consumer electronics
Major Imports
Manufactures, fossil fuels, foodstuffs and raw materials
Major Trading Partners
Southeast Asia, United States, Western Europe, China
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Major Industries
Leading producer of steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy electical equipment, construction and mining equipment, motor vehicles and parts, electronic and telecommunication equipment, machine tools, automated production systems, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Teledensity
1.5 persons per telephone
Government
Constitutional monarchy. Administratively, Japan is divided into 47 prefectures
Geography
Tokyo is capital of Japan, Tokyo Metropolis is positioned in approximately the center of the Japanese archipelago, in the southern Kanto Area. It is bordered to the east by the Edogawa River and Chiba Prefecture, to the west by mountains and Yamanashi Prefecture, to the south by the Tamagawa River and Kanagawa Prefecture, and to the north by Saitama Prefecture. The Greater Tokyo Area is made up of Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba.
Japan is an archipelago of more than 3,000 islands. Located in Eastern Asia, the island chain lies between the North Paciic Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula.
Population
Japan: 130 million
Tokyo: 12.6 million
Ethnic Groups
Japanese (including indigenous Ainu & Okinawans), Korean
Language
The official language is Japanese, which is continuously changing due to the infusion of new words and phrases, and an ongoing improvisational use of foreign words and meanings. English is taught in schools from the 7th grade on, and is widely spoken by people associated with the tourist trade. However, it's not normally understood by taxi drivers or by staff of many Japanese restaurants.
Literacy
99%
Religion
Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity
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