Tre’ Malone SOC 2010

 Contemporary Japanese weddings are celebrated in a great variety of ways. Many contain traditional Japanese and Western elements side by side.

 Most Japanese funeral services are held in a Buddhist style. On the funeral day the body is cremated. The guests take a small meal during that time in the crematorium. Afterwards, the relatives pick the bones out of the ash and pass them from person to person by chopsticks.

 Kimono and Yukata are traditional Japanese clothing. Kimono are made of silk and are usually very expensive. Nowadays they are worn at formal or traditional occasions such as funerals, weddings or tea ceremonies. Only rarely kimono can still be seen in everyday life.

 Calligraphy (shodo: "the way of writing") is the art of writing beautifully. Most children learn calligraphy in elementary school. It is a popular hobby among adults, too.

 Income Tax Paid annually by individuals on the national, prefectural and municipal levels. Also known as "resident tax" on the prefectural and municipal level. The amount is calculated based on the net income of the individual person. Enterprise Tax Prefectural tax paid annually by self- employed individuals engaged in business activities. The amount is calculated based on the person's net income and the type of business. Property Tax Municipal tax paid annually by individuals who own land, housing and other types of depreciable assets. Consumption Tax Paid by consumers when they purchase goods and services. The current rate is 5% (4% national, 1% prefectural). Shops and other service providers are required to include the consumption tax in the prices shown. Vehicle related Taxes A prefectural automobile tax is paid annually by individuals who own a car, truck or bus. In case of passenger cars, the amount is calculated based on the engine displacement. A municipal light vehicle tax is paid annually by individuals who own motorbikes or other motorized light vehicles. A national motor vehicle tonnage tax is paid by vehicle owners at the time of the mandatory inspections (shaken). A prefectural automobile acquisition tax is paid by persons when they acquire a car. Liquor, Tobacco and Gasoline Taxes The national liquor tax is paid by consumers when they purchase alcoholic beverages. National, prefectural and municipal tobacco taxes are paid by consumers when they purchase tobacco products. A national gasoline tax is paid by consumers when they purchase gasoline. The liquor, tobacco and gasoline taxes are included in the prices shown by shops.

 Coins come in 1 Yen, 5 Yen, 10 Yen, 50 Yen, 100 Yen and 500 Yen.  Bills come in 1,000 Yen, 2,000 Yen (very rare), 5,000 Yen and 10,000 Yen.

 January 1 is a very auspicious day, best started by viewing the new year's first sunrise (hatsu-hinode), and traditionally believed to be representative for the whole year that has just commenced. Therefore, the day is supposed be full of joy and free of stress and anger, while everything should be clean and no work should be done.

 The Coming of Age festival is celebrated on the second Monday of January (it used to be celebrated always on January 15 until the year 1999). Its Japanese name is Seijin no hi. All young people who turn twenty years old in that year are celebrated on Seijin no hi.

 For many centuries, the people of Japan have been performing rituals with the purpose of chasing away evil spirits at the start of spring.

 The current Japanese constitution was promulgated in the year 1946 during the occupation by the Allied powers:  Legislature: The Japanese parliament is called the Diet. It consists of the House of Representatives (480 members) and the House of Councilors (242 members). The members of the Diet are elected by the Japanese people.  Executive: The cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister. The cabinet further consists of the ministers which are appointed by the prime minister and are usually members of the Diet. The prime minister is elected by the Diet.  Judiciary: The highest court is the Supreme Court. Other courts are district courts, high courts, family courts, and summary courts. Judges are appointed by the cabinet.

 The Emperor does not have any effective power but is only the symbol of the state.  In 1989, Emperor Akihito became Japan's 125th emperor. He is married to Empress Michiko, the first empress who did not come from the nobility. Their eldest son is Crown Prince Naruhito. The imperial family resides in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

 MANGA AND ANIME ART AND J-POP MUSICAL ART ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR IN ENTERTAINMENT

 Seeing how most urban and suburban cities lack street names, you can forget about relying on finding your way around Japan the way you would in America. You have to use your good old landmark spotting skills— unless you have a Google Maps program handy.

 Amusement parks are very popular and numerous in Japan.Japan

 -300 BC JomonJomon  300 BC-300 YayoiYayoi

 NaraNara  HeianHeian

 Azuchi MomoyamaAzuchi Momoyama  EdoEdo

 ShowaShowa  HeiseiHeisei

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