Japan is located on the east coast of Asia that consists of over 6,852 islands with four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku (“Japan’s Geography,” 2014). Almost 80% of Japan’s population lives on Honshu Island (“Where is Japan,” 2012). Japan is the sixty-second largest country based on the area measurement, and it is comparable to the state of California. It consists of a coastline, which is 29,751 kilometers in length without any land boundary (“Where is Japan,” 2014). The climate varies, with the dominant climates ranging from temperate to subtropical; it is possible for snow to be falling in Hokkaido Island and to have warm temperatures in Okinawa at the same time (Petry, 2003). As Japan lies in the Pacific ‘region of fire’,
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When the population of Japan almost reached to128 million in 2009, the country became the tenth most occupied nation in the world (Japan, 2014). Japan also experienced net loss in population over a couple of years, because of the falling birth rates and low immigration. The distribution of the population is as follows: 13% are 0-14 years old, 63.3% are 15-64 years and 23.7% are 65 years and over (“Health Service Delivery Profile Japan,” 2012). Due to a longer life expectancy, the elderly population is increasing. In 2009, approximately 1.7% of the total population was comprised of foreigners, predominantly Koreans, Chinese, and Brazilians. 51% of people in Japan follow Shintoism, 44% follow Buddhism, 1% follow Christianity, and the remaining 5% belong to various other religions (“Japan,” 2014). Ethnically, the majority of citizens are of Japanese descent, though there are some Koreans and other minorities. Ethnic minorities may experience xenophobia in Japan, since 98.5% of the population is Yamato Japanese (“Japan,” …show more content…
Health Status and Challenges to Health: According to the World Health Organization (2012), Japan’s healthcare system is the best in the world, with an infant mortality rate of 2.8 per 1,000 and a high life expectancy of 85.8 years for females and 79 years for males (Harden, 2009). “Health care in Japan -- a hybrid system funded by job-based insurance premiums and taxes -- is universal and mandatory, and consumes about 8 percent of the nation 's gross domestic product, half as much as in the United States” (Harden, 2009 pg. 1). The Japanese government provides health insurance to every citizen to ensure that they all receive the care needed. Most healthcare economic specialists say that Japan’s ‘low cost’ healthcare system is not sustainable as is and is in need of major alterations (Harden, 2009). Japan has a high population of elderly people, and it is predicted that more than 40 % of the population will be 65 years or older by 2050 (Harden, 2009). Moreover, cases of cancer, strokes, malignancy, cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and psychological diseases are increasing among Japanese people (Harden, 2009). Researchers suggest that additional investments will be necessary for the healthcare systems to survive, because the demand for medical care could grow three times higher in the next 25 years (Harden,
When the population of Japan almost reached to128 million in 2009, the country became the tenth most occupied nation in the world (Japan, 2014). Japan also experienced net loss in population over a couple of years, because of the falling birth rates and low immigration. The distribution of the population is as follows: 13% are 0-14 years old, 63.3% are 15-64 years and 23.7% are 65 years and over (“Health Service Delivery Profile Japan,” 2012). Due to a longer life expectancy, the elderly population is increasing. In 2009, approximately 1.7% of the total population was comprised of foreigners, predominantly Koreans, Chinese, and Brazilians. 51% of people in Japan follow Shintoism, 44% follow Buddhism, 1% follow Christianity, and the remaining 5% belong to various other religions (“Japan,” 2014). Ethnically, the majority of citizens are of Japanese descent, though there are some Koreans and other minorities. Ethnic minorities may experience xenophobia in Japan, since 98.5% of the population is Yamato Japanese (“Japan,” …show more content…
Health Status and Challenges to Health: According to the World Health Organization (2012), Japan’s healthcare system is the best in the world, with an infant mortality rate of 2.8 per 1,000 and a high life expectancy of 85.8 years for females and 79 years for males (Harden, 2009). “Health care in Japan -- a hybrid system funded by job-based insurance premiums and taxes -- is universal and mandatory, and consumes about 8 percent of the nation 's gross domestic product, half as much as in the United States” (Harden, 2009 pg. 1). The Japanese government provides health insurance to every citizen to ensure that they all receive the care needed. Most healthcare economic specialists say that Japan’s ‘low cost’ healthcare system is not sustainable as is and is in need of major alterations (Harden, 2009). Japan has a high population of elderly people, and it is predicted that more than 40 % of the population will be 65 years or older by 2050 (Harden, 2009). Moreover, cases of cancer, strokes, malignancy, cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and psychological diseases are increasing among Japanese people (Harden, 2009). Researchers suggest that additional investments will be necessary for the healthcare systems to survive, because the demand for medical care could grow three times higher in the next 25 years (Harden,