Japan is an island chain that lies in East Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan and east of the Korean Peninsula. Its size is slightly smaller than California, and it is spotted with many active and dormant volcanoes. Today, despite its relatively small size, Japan has a technologically advanced economy that is the third largest in the world after the U.S. and China. Japan offers an insightful and up-to-date look at this Asian country that remains steeped in tradition while also boasting one of the most modernized and powerful economies. It is an ideal source of information for geography classes, country reports, and students interested in Asia. Valuable case studies cover such important topics as the Kobe earthquake of 1995, Texas Instruments and foreign-based technology companies with production plants in Japan, and the initiative to increase tourism called "Welcome Plan 21." Graphs, charts, and statistics show monthly averages for temperature and rainfall, the number of personal computers per 1,000 people, the percent of the population that lives in urban areas, and much more.