Japan consists of 6,852 islands covering 377,975 square kilometres. Its five main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Tokyo is the country’s capital and largest city; other major cities include Osaka and Nagoya.
Japan is the 11th most populous country in the world. About three-fourths of the country’s terrain is mountainous, concentrating its population of 126.2 million on narrow coastal plains. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with more than 37.4 million residents.
Japan invaded China in 1937 (see old photos). In 1941 it entered World War II as an Axis power. After suffering defeat in the Pacific War and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered in 1945.
Following World War II, Japan experienced record economic growth, becoming the second-largest economy in the world by 1990. Japan is a global leader in the automotive and electronics industries and has made significant contributions to science and technology. Culturally, Japan is renowned for its art, cuisine, music, and popular culture, including its prominent animation and video game industries.