Προφίλ συναλλασσόμενης χώρας Ιαπωνία

Political outline | Living conditions | Useful resources | Communications

Political outline

Executive Power: The head of state is the Emperor. His role is largely ceremonial. The leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition in the parliament (House of Representatives) is designated as the Prime Minister for a four-year term. The Prime Minister is the head of the government and enjoys the real executive powers which include implementation of the law in the country and running the day-to-day affairs. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister.
Legislative Power: The legislature in Japan is bicameral. The parliament called National Diet consists of: House of Councilors (the upper house) having 242 members elected through a popular vote for six year terms; and House of Representatives (the lower house) having 480 members elected through a popular vote for four-year terms. The Constitution of Japan states that the nation's "highest organ of state power" is the National Diet. The executive branch of government is directly or indirectly dependent on the support of the National Diet, often expressed through a vote of confidence.
Main political parties: Conservatives, right-wing: LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) - made up of various conservative and reformist factions, the largest political party in Japan; DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan) – a liberal, social-democratic party; New Komeito – a conservative, theocratic Buddhist party.
Moderates, left-wing: - JCP (Japanese Communist Party) - a moderate communist party; SDP (Social Democratic Party) - a moderate social-democratic and populist party.
Current political leaders: Emperor: AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) – hereditary
Prime Minister: Yoshihiko NODA, Minshutō (Japan Democratic Party), since 30 August 2011.
Next election dates: House of Councilors: 2013

Living conditions

Health and safety

Health precautions: No specific vaccination is required.
Because of the epidemic of avian flu, it is recommended that you avoid all contact with poultry or birds, that you do not go to any bird markets, and that you do not attend cock fights.
International hospitals: Japan has only one international hospital: St Luke’s International Hospital. But other establishments are accessible to people who speak English.
For further information on sanitary conditions: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
The World Health Organization webpages devoted to Japan
The American government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For further information on safety conditions: The Current Travel Warnings given by the American State Department
Contact your Embassy: Embassy of Greece in Japan
16-30 Nishi Azabu, Minato-Ku
Tokyo 106-0031
Phone: (+813)-3403-0871-2 , (+813)-3403-0901
Fax: (+813)-3402-4642
greekemb@mb.rosenet.ne.jp http://www.greekemb.jp/

Emergency numbers

Police	110
Fire and Ambulance	119
Marine Emergency	118
Emergency in English language	0120 364 463

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference: It is %T:%M %A in Tokyo (GMT+9)
Summer time period: None

Map of the time zone

Type of climate: The rainy season lasts from June to mid-July and the summer is damp and humid. The Typhoon season lasts from August to September. The temperature can rise to 38°C (100°F) in summer and drop to under 5°C in winter. The climate can vary noticeably from one island to another. Autumn is undoubtedly the best time to visit Japan.

For further information: Japan Meteorological Agency

Average annual temperatures and rainfall

Useful resources

To find an accommodation: Japanese Guest Houses
Japan Ryokan Association Japan Hotel Association
Japan Hotel Network
Tokyu Hotel Chain Discount hotels in Japan
Japan Youth Hostels Inc Japan national tourist organization
To find an apartment: Expatriates'Housing Tokyo

Tokyo Apartment
To find a job: Hellowork (government-run employment agency, website exclusively in Japanese)
Jobs in Japan

Communications

Telephone codes: To make a call from Japan to Greece: dial 00 (or +) 30
To make a call to in Japan from Greece: dial 00 (or +) +81
Mobile telephone standards: Japan has its own mobile phone standards (cell type and the PHS type). Mobile phones bought in other parts of the world cannot therefore be used in the country.
You can buy a phone or also rent one for a short time, including the duration of one call.
To avoid subscriptions, there are systems of pre-paid cards.
Internet suffix: .jp

ΠΡΟΦΙΛ ΣΥΝΑΛΛΑΣΣΟΜΕΝΩΝ ΧΩΡΩΝ

General Information

Political outline

Living conditions

Health and safety

Emergency numbers

Time difference and climate

Map of the time zone

Average annual temperatures and rainfall

Useful resources

Communications