— Latest update: February 2025 —
Japan is quite isolated in geographical terms and, as is often the case with island countries, many of Japan’s cultural traits and its differences from overseas neighbours are attributed to this geographic isolation. In the case of Japan, the country’s cultural evolution is further explained by factors such as cultural homogeneity, overcrowding brought about by limited inhabitable land and intensive rice production. Anthropologists and other observers, both Japanese and foreign, often invoke its geographical conditions to explain Japan’s uniqueness.
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Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.