Articles by Katrina Cason

Japan is a constitutional monarchy in eastern Asia which is made up of four large islands and more than 1000 lesser islands. In the Japanese language, the country's name is Dai ("great") Nihon or Nippon ("origin of the sun"). This is the reason for Japan being referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese culture is derived from early civilizations of China and Korea as well as Western influences beginning in the 19th century.

Japan has not always been the world power that it is today, and it has certainly struggled to achieve the economy and strength which has marked much of the past century. Within the last 150 years, Japan has completely changed much of its system of government and foreign relations, while keeping its amazing and beautiful culture. Japan has come a long way in a short time, it has changed from a country with no power or knowledge of the outside world to a country which is now very involved and globally aware. By taking governmental and political ideas from parts of Western Civilization and modeling systems after those of other countries, Japan has completely reformed itself.

Now a leading country in imports and exports, Japan has jumped to the head of the line in economy and trade. This was not an easy change, and Japan has been faced with war and destruction in its quest towards power.