People & Culture of Japan

Japan has a population of about 126 million (the eighth largest in the world), Out of this, about 75% of them live in urban areas where population density is very high. Much of the countryside in Japan is sparsely populated. Japan is a country of remarkable ethnic and cultural homogeneity. The non-Japanese make up only about 1% of the overall population and the vast majority of this population are Koreans. Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s major religions. Shinto is a polytheistic religion with no book of religious canon and forms Japan's native folk religion. Mahayana Buddhism came to Japan in the sixth century and evolved into many different sects. The Japanese people's religious concerns are mostly directed towards mythology, traditions, and neighborhood activities rather than as the single source of moral guidelines for one's life. Japanese people use Confucianism or Taoism as the basis for morality.

The Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, originating from the country's original Jōmon culture to the contemporary culture that we know of today. The modern culture is a conglomeration of influences from Asia, Europe and North America. Crafts like ikebana, origami and ukiyo-e form the traditional arts in Japan. The fusion of traditional woodblock printing and Western art has led to what we know of as manga, a typically Japanese comic book format that is now popular within and outside Japan. Japanese music borrows instruments, scales and styles from neighboring cultures. Post-war Japan has been heavily influenced by American and European modern music.
The Japanese diet is believed to play a role in longevity. Through a long culinary past, the Japanese have developed a sophisticated and refined cuisine. Japanese food is popular in other parts of Asia and the West like US and Europe. Dishes such as sushi, tempura, and teriyaki chicken are some of the foods that are popular within Japan and worldwide. There are many staple foods that are considered part of the nation's national cuisine today. These include rice, noodles and bread. In a traditional Japanese setting (e.g. served in a conic bowl), the rice served is known as gohan or meshi. Noodles also form an integral dish in a Japanese meal. However, the Japanese appetite for rice is so strong that many restaurants even serve noodles-rice combination sets. Although not a native to Japan, bread became a common food item in Japanese food culture since its introduction in Japan in the 19th century.