The WorldWeave List of Japan Links
See also WorldWeave List of International Government and Political Economy Links.
From APEC 's recent initiatives to the latest White Paper on International Trade, the Japan Export and Trade Organization provides extensive information on business relations with Japan. You'll find some great pointers for doing business in Japan, from primers on business etiquette to more complex issues surrounding distribution systems. There is ample information on global economic data, internationalization in Japan and economic trends in Japanese industry and markets. This is an extensive site, so plan on spending some time here.
This server compiles links to Japan's all-important Ministries. It's easy to find out about the latest government scandal, current official commentary and proposed reforms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explores APEC and concerns about North Korea. Economic gloom pervades the halls of the Ministry of Finance­find out what Japan is doing about its continuing slump. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry provides recent White Papers on Trade, a look ahead at the World Expostion of 2005 and trade-related statistics. All Ministry sites are in English except the Ministry of Health & Welfare. There are also links to the Prime Ministers office, prefectural governments, and the Diet Library. You can also peruse a vast array of other government related sites, including the National Women's Education Center, The Export-Import Bank, and National Institute of Health.
As financial markets in Japan have liberalized, the Japanese stock market has changed dramatically. Nikko financial service company provides analysis and reports organized by several branches of its extensive corporate network. Quickly locate information on the Japanese economy, business trends, and a series of indices based on Japanese stocks (there's about a month lag time for these). Start at the Nikko Stock Market Index (under the Nikko Secruties Co., Ltd.) for industry and sectoral breakdowns. If you're more interested in a general overview of the Japanese economy and trends, explore the Nikko Research Center. Profiles of particular Japanese companies can be found in the "Dynamic Corporation" section. You can also link to the Nagoya Stock Exchange. Red backgrounds tend to dominate the site, and can become a little much, but you'll find some interesting investing perspectives.
The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan dominated the Japanese political system until 1993, and continues to exert a strong influence over political discourse. The LDP Web site offers an overview of the organization, basic principles and overall philosophy. Under the topics section you will find a detailed summary of the LDP's "Fundamental Approach Towards Administrative Reform" a topic of considerable import to Japan as the political system adjusts to the 21st century issues of an aging Japanese society and tougher economic competition. An organizational chart offers a bird's eye view of the various bureaus and committees contained within the party, and you can also access biographies and resumes for key party officials.
Democratic Party of Japan
http://dpj.smn.co.jp/index-e.html
Communistist Party of Japan
http://www.jcp.or.jp/English/index.html
Socialist Democratic Party of Japan
http://www.omnics.co.jp/politics/SDPJ/SDPJ-E.html
Sakigake Party
http://www.coara.or.jp/~sakigake/eng/guide/index.html
·soc.culture.japan FAQ
·sci.lang.japan FAQ
The sights, sounds and activities created by the Stanford University team here provide a warm welcome to Japan. Navigating around the village is easy, and there's lots to see. For those curious about the language, head to school and learn the differences between hiragana, katakana and kanji. While you're there, explore the craft of paper-folding, origami, and see if you can make a crane from single sheet of paper! Do you think you would like to try a Japanese breakfast? Drop by the restaurant and find out about miso soup, and what a chicken donburi looks like. Each dish comes illustrated and guaranteed to make you hungry! Join Momotaro, the Peach Boy, on his adventures, and read some other Japanese children's tales in the library. Older kids (and adults) might want to read recent news clippings from daily Japanese newspapers in "What's New." Don't miss the art gallery­it is full of drawings and pictures by kids in Japan and from around the world. A wonderful site that will soon offer even more places to explore.