Japan is a fascinating country rich in history, culture, and tradition. Formed from a scenic chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Asia, Japan is roughly the size of the U.S. state of California. Because of its mountainous terrain, most of Japan's approximately 128 million residents live along the coast, particularly in the urban corridor between Tokyo and Kobe, where 45 percent of the population is packed into 17 percent of the land area.

Japan stands as a modern industrial, economic, and political superpower. Its rapid ascension to power, including its recovery from the ashes of World War II (1939–1945), provides one of the twentieth century's most remarkable stories. Consequently, the Japanese enjoy a high standard of living and amenities typical of first-world nations. Japan's per capita gross domestic product dwarfs most other nations, and its economy ranks among the top three countries in the world. Japan's prosperity has thwarted...