Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 125 million people on 4 main islands using less than 40% of the available land .  99% of Japan's population are ethnic Japanese; all non Japanese must register every year with the police and do not have full citizenship rights.
    The Japanese place great worth on nonverbal language or communication. A person is expected to sense another person's feelings on a subject without asking. A person's inability to interpret feelings is seen as insensitivity.
    A bow is the traditional greeting for Japanese.Much can be said with a proper bow.To show respect or humility one must bow lower than the other person.Between Japanese and non Japanese a handshake is often preferred since the people do not know each other.
   Japanese society is group oriented. Loyalty to the group and to one's superiors takes priority over your own personal feelings. Loyalty, devotion, and cooperation are valued over aggressiveness. Conformity, even in appearance, is typical of the Japanese. The general rule is to act similar to, or in harmony with, the crowd. A person's actions reflect on the family,  and in many Japanese homes grandparents live with the family . Families usually have fewer than 3 children.
    Politeness is extremely important. As a result, the word "Yes" may be a polite version of "I am listening" or "I understand" , and "No" is seldom used - but "I will think about it" can mean "No".  Time is often required for decisions and agreements in business. Japanese may be more interested in the person or company they are dealing with than the actual details of the deal. Formality in language is also present. "Ohiogazaimasu" is a respectful "Good Morning", but "Ohio" is used with friends, and "Yahoh" is slang for "Hey!" . "Konichiwa" can be "Good Afternoon" or less formally "Hello", and "Genki" is slang for "How are you ?"
    Family last names end in SAN , and using first names is only for relatives and friends.
    It is impolite to yawn in public. A person should sit up straight with both feet on the floor . Waving is done with the palm Down. Laughter is not necessarily joy or amusement, it may be embarassment. Chewing gum in public is considered impolite. Young girls often walk hand in hand.
    An unannounced visit to a Japanese home is uncommon. Shoes and coats are removed in the hallway before going into a Japanese home. Slippers are worn throughout the house but removed also before going into rooms having floor mats. Guests are given the most comfortable seats and when offered a meal a guest should hesitate slightly before accepting it. Giving compliments may embarrass the hosts and may be denied out of modesty. Gifts are taken to a home when visiting
( usually food or drink), seldom nicknacks because they would clutter the simple design of the Japanese home.  Most Japanese practice a combination of Buddhism and Shinto and have small shrines in their homes. Only about 1 percent of the population is Christian.
    It is considered bad manners for an adult to walk while eating. In a traditional meal, Japanese eat by bringing the food bowl to their chest and not by bending down to the table.Chopsticks (hashi) are used for traditional Japanese food,  but knives, forks, and spoons are used for Western food. Meals usually consist of tea, rice, fresh vegetables, seafood, fruit, and small portions of meat ( Japan has to import 1/2 of its food supply- especially meat).
    Baseball (Beseboro) was brought to Japan in the 1870's by an American and is Japan's national sport and VERY competitive at all levels.Older Japanese still enjoy Japan's ancient forms of drama - Bunraku ( puppet theatre), Noh, and Kabuki.
    Japanese take a national holiday at the end of December until the about the 3rd of January in honor of the New Year. Other holidays are Adults Day(January 15th)- when all those who will turn 20 (the age when they can vote) during the year are honored, Greenery Day(April 29)- a day to celebrate nature's beauty, Children's Day(May 5), Boy's Day celebrates boys with national kite flying, and Girls Day (March 3)celebrates girls by having them show and tell  favorite dolls, Bon Festival(August 15)- when people go to ancester's homes to welcome their ancestor's spirits with bonfires, and Emperor's Birthday( Emperor Akahito's is December 23)- the emperor is the head of state but has no power to govern the people.
    Although Japan is very successful in business and industry, the cost of living is high (the currency is the yen) and causes many Japanese to work long hours, commute long distances, and live in crowded housing areas.
    99% of all Japanese can read and write. Education is free and mandatory from age 6 to 15. Tuition must be paid for grades 10-12 and college. Students attend school Monday through Saturday (morning) with one Saturday off each month. Many students attend after- school school ( juku ) to prepare them for difficult entrance exams into top rated high schools or univerities. These schools are often from 5-9 P.M. three nights a week and 4 hours on Saturday afternoons and charge tuition.Graduation from a top high school gives a person a better chance of getting into a top university. Graduation from a top university usually guarantees a top job.