AED to JPY Live Rate

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

24 00 N, 54 00 E

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Middle East

Asia

total: 83,600 sq km

land: 83,600 sq km

water: 0 sq km

country comparison to the world: 116

total: 377,915 sq km

land: 364,485 sq km

water: 13,430 sq km

note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

country comparison to the world: 63

total: 1,066 km

border countries (2): Oman 609 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

0 km

1,318 km

29,751 km

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east

mostly rugged and mountainous

mean elevation: 149 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

mean elevation: 438 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m

highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

petroleum, natural gas

negligible mineral resources, fish

note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

agricultural land: 4.6%

arable land 0.5%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 3.6%

forest: 3.8%

other: 91.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land: 12.5%

arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0%

forest: 68.5%

other: 19% (2011 est.)

923 sq km (2012)

24,690 sq km (2012)

population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population

all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one-third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)

frequent sand and dust storms

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

0air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere; following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan originally planned to phase out nuclear power, but it has now implemented a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards; waste management is an ongoing isue; Japanese municipal facilities used to burn high volumes of trash, but air pollution issues forced the government to adopt an aggressive recycling policy

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous), Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets

6,072,475 (July 2017 est.)

note: the UN estimated the country's total population was 9,400,145 as of mid-year 2017; immigrants make up more than 88% of the total population, according to UN data (2017)

country comparison to the world: 110

126,451,398 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 10

noun: Emirati(s)

adjective: Emirati

noun: Japanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Japanese

Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Philippine 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)

Japanese 98.5%, Korean 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%

note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004 est.)

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Japanese

total dependency ratio: 17.4

youth dependency ratio: 16.2

elderly dependency ratio: 1.2

potential support ratio: 83.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio: 64

youth dependency ratio: 21.3

elderly dependency ratio: 42.7

potential support ratio: 2.3 (2015 est.)

total: 30.3 years

male: 32.1 years

female: 25 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 115

total: 47.3 years

male: 46 years

female: 48.7 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

2.37% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 28

-0.21% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 211

15.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 128

7.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 223

1.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 225

9.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 45

10.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 9

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 86

population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population

all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one-third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)

urban population: 86.1% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population: 94.3% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 0.15% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Dubai 2.415 million; Sharjah 1.279 million; ABU DHABI (capital) 1.145 million (2015)

TOKYO (capital) 38.001 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.238 million; Nagoya 9.406 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.51 million; Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.369 million; Sapporo 2.571 million (2015)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.47 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 3.2 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 2.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.69 male(s)/female

total population: 2.18 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 165

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 171

total: 10 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 137

total: 2 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 224

total population: 77.7 years

male: 75 years

female: 80.4 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 69

total population: 85.3 years

male: 81.9 years

female: 88.8 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

2.32 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 87

1.41 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 209

3.6% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 171

10.2% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 23

1.56 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

2.37 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2013)

13.4 beds/1,000 population (2012)

improved:

urban: 99.6% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 99.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.4% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 98% of population

rural: 95.2% of population

total: 97.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2% of population

rural: 4.8% of population

total: 2.4% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

31.7% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 20

4.3% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 186

NA

3.6% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 115

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.8%

male: 93.1%

female: 95.8% (2015 est.)

total: 12.1%

male: 7.9%

female: 21.8% (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 108

total: 5.1%

male: 5.7%

female: 4.5% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1%

note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.)

30.7 years (2015 est.)

40.4%

note: percent of women aged 20-49 (2015)

3.4% (2010)

total: 15 years

male: 15 years

female: 15 years (2014)

conventional long form: United Arab Emirates

conventional short form: none

local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form: none

former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States

abbreviation: UAE

etymology: self-descriptive country name; the name "Arabia" can be traced back many centuries B.C., the ancient Egyptians referred to the region as "Ar Rabi"; "emirates" derives from "amir" the Arabic word for "commander," "lord," or "prince"

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Japan

local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku

local short form: Nihon/Nippon

etymology: the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the Rising Sun"

federation of monarchies

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

name: Abu Dhabi

geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

name: Tokyo

geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E

time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)

Independence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971)

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933); note - celebrates the birthday of the current emperor

history: previous 1971 (provisional); latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996

amendments: proposed by the Supreme Council and submitted to the Federal National Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote of Federal National Council members present, and approval by the Supreme Council president; amended 2009 (2016)

history: previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947

amendments: proposed by the Diet; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of both houses of the Diet and approval by majority in a referendum; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1947 (2017)

mixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law

civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

limited; note - rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006)

head of government: Prime Minister Vice President MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan, MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (both since 11 May 2009)

cabinet: Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and approved by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the Federal Supreme Council - composed of the rulers of the 7 emirates - for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held 3 November 2009 (next election NA); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president

election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan reelected president; FSC vote NA

note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the 7 emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets 4 times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power

chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989); note - The Imperial Council ruled on 2 December 2017 that the Emperor will be allowed to abdicate in April 2019

head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister

description: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected by an electoral college whose members are selected by each emirate ruler proportional to its FNC membership, and 20 members appointed by the rulers of the 7 constituent states; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 3 October 2015 (next to be held in 2019); note - the electoral college was expanded from 129,274 electors in the December 2011 election to 224,279 in the October 2015 election; 347 candidates including 78 women ran for 20 contested seats in the 40-member FNC

election results: 19 men and 1 woman were elected; seats by emirate - Abu Dhabi 4, Dubai 4, Sharjah 3, Ras al-Khaimah 3, Ajman 2, Fujairah 2, Umm al-Quwain 2; note - only 1 woman (from Ras Al Khaimah) won an FNC seat

description: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats; 146 members directly elected in multi-seat districts by simple majority vote and 96 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat districts by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - Japan's amended electoral law, changed in May 2017, reduced the total number of House seats to 465 - the number of House of Representatives seats in single-seat districts is reduced to 289 and the number of House of Representatives seats in multi-seat districts reduced to 176; the change is effective for the December 2018 House of Representatives election

note: the Diet in June 2017 redrew Japan's electoral district boundaries and reduced the current 275 seats in the House of Representatives to 265; the law, which cuts 6 seats in single-seat districts and 4 in multi-seat districts, was reportedly intended to reduce voting disparities between densely and sparsely populated voting districts

elections: House of Councillors - last held on 10 July 2016 (next to be held in July 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 22 October 2017 (next to be held by 21 October 2021)

election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 55, DP 32, Komeito 14, JCP 6, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 7, PLPTYF 1, SDP 1, independent 5

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 284, CDP 55, Party of Hope 50, Komeito 29, JCP 12, JIP 11, SDP 2, independent 22

highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 4 judges; jurisdiction limited to federal cases)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the federal president following approval by the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative authority consisting of the 7 emirate rulers; judges serve until retirement age or the expiry of their appointment terms

subordinate courts: Federal Court of Cassation (determines the constitutionality of laws promulgated at the federal and emirate level; federal level courts of first instance and appeals courts; the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ra's al Khaymah have parallel court systems; the other 4 emirates have incorporated their courts into the federal system; note - the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Dubai International Financial Center Courts both adjudicate civil and commercial disputes.

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward

subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho)

none; political parties are banned

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or CDP [Yukio EDANO]

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Kohei OTSUKA]

Group of Reformists [Sakihito OZAWA]

Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]

Japan Innovation Party or JIP [Ichiro MATSUI]

Party of Hope or Kibo no To [Yuichiro TAMAKI]

Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]

Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE]

Liberal Party [Ichiro OZAWA] (formerly People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends or PLPTYF)

New Renaissance Party [Hiroyuki ARAI]

Party for Japanese Kokoro or PJK [Masashi NAKANO]

Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA]

The Assembly to Energize Japan and the Independents [Kota MATSUDA]

NA

other: business groups; trade unions

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusif bin Mana bin Said al-UTAYBA (since 28 July 2008)

chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400

FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432

consulate(s) general: Boston, Los Angeles, New York

chief of mission: Ambassador Shinsuke SUGIYAMA (since 28 March 2018)

chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187

consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam)

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Steven C. BONDY (since 22 March 2018)

embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi

mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200

FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603

consulate(s) general: Dubai

chief of mission: Ambassador William F. "Bill" HAGERTY, IV (since 31 August 2017)

embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420

mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300

telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000

FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862

consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo

consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side; the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center

golden falcon; national colors: green, white, black, red

red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors: red, white

name: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)

lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia

name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign)

lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI

note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%.

Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors.

The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014.

The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and has announced plans to introduce excise and value-added taxes by January 1, 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.

Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (slightly less than 1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features have significantly eroded under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change.

Measured on a purchasing power parity basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2017 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - averaging 10% in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which resulted in several years of economic stagnation as firms sought to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008.

Japan enjoyed an uptick in growth since 2013, supported by Prime Minister Shinzo ABE’s “Three Arrows” economic revitalization agenda - dubbed “Abenomics” - of monetary easing, “flexible” fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the need to address its sizable public debt, which stands at 235% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate. However, the first such increase, in April 2014, led to a sharp contraction, so Prime Minister ABE has twice postponed the next increase, which is now scheduled for October 2019. Structural reforms to unlock productivity are seen as central to strengthening the economy in the long-run.

Scarce in critical natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported energy and raw materials. After the complete shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil fuels. However, ABE’s government is seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards and is emphasizing nuclear energy’s importance as a base-load electricity source. In August 2015, Japan successfully restarted one nuclear reactor at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, and several other reactors around the country have since resumed operations; however, opposition from local governments has delayed several more restarts that remain pending. Reforms of the electricity and gas sectors, including full liberalization of Japan’s energy market in April 2016 and gas market in April 2017, constitute an important part of Prime Minister Abe’s economic program.

Under the Abe Administration, Japan’s government sought to open the country’s economy to greater foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses, including by joining 11 trading partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Japan became the first country to ratify the TPP in December 2016, but the United States signaled its withdrawal from the agreement in January 2017. In November 2017 the remaining 11 countries agreed on the core elements of a modified agreement, which they renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Japan also reached agreement with the European Union on an Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2017, and is likely seek to ratify both agreements in the Diet this year.

$691.9 billion (2017 est.)

$682.8 billion (2016 est.)

$662.7 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 33

$5.405 trillion (2017 est.)

$5.325 trillion (2016 est.)

$5.27 trillion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 5

$378.7 billion (2017 est.)

$4.884 trillion (2017 est.)

1.3% (2017 est.)

3% (2016 est.)

3.8% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 181

1.5% (2017 est.)

1% (2016 est.)

1.1% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

$68,200 (2017 est.)

$69,300 (2016 est.)

$69,200 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 14

$42,700 (2017 est.)

$41,900 (2016 est.)

$41,500 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 41

24.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

27.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

29.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 53

27% of GDP (2017 est.)

27.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

27% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

household consumption: 50.5%

government consumption: 12.1%

investment in fixed capital: 20.4%

investment in inventories: 1.3%

exports of goods and services: 94.9%

imports of goods and services: -79.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption: 55.9%

government consumption: 19.5%

investment in fixed capital: 23.5%

investment in inventories: 0.2%

exports of goods and services: 17.8%

imports of goods and services: -16.8% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 0.9%

industry: 49.8%

services: 49.2% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 1%

industry: 29.7%

services: 69.3% (2017 est.)

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

vegetables, rice, fish, poultry, fruit, dairy products, pork, beef, flowers, potatoes/taros/yams, sugarcane, tea, legumes, wheat and barley

petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles

among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

-0.1% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 189

1.4% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 155

5.344 million

note: expatriates account for about 85% of the workforce (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

67.77 million (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 9

agriculture: 7%

industry: 15%

services: 78% (2000 est.)

agriculture: 2.9%

industry: 26.2%

services: 70.9% (February 2015 est)

3.6% (2014 est.)

2.4% (2001 est.)

country comparison to the world: 39

2.9% (2017 est.)

3.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

19.5% (2003 est.)

16.1% (2013 est.)

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2008 est.)

revenues: $83.44 billion

expenditures: $112.4 billion

note: the UAE federal budget does not account for emirate-level spending in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (2017 est.)

revenues: $1.678 trillion

expenditures: $1.902 trillion (2017 est.)

22% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 136

34.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 58

-7.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 195

-4.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 152

60.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

62.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 73

223.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

222.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

calendar year

1 April - 31 March

2.1% (2017 est.)

1.8% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 100

0.4% (2017 est.)

-0.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 19

NA%

0.3% (31 December 2015 est.)

0.3% (31 December 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 135

$134.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$129 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 31

$6.426 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.651 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

$355.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$333.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

$8.917 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.023 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

$412.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$389.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

$13.63 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.11 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

$195.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$201.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$180.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

$4.895 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$4.378 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.543 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

$7.878 billion (2017 est.)

$8.412 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

$175 billion (2017 est.)

$188.1 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

$314.7 billion (2017 est.)

$298.6 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

$683.3 billion (2017 est.)

$634.9 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates (2012 est.)

motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.)

India 9.9%, Iran 8.9%, Japan 8.8%, Switzerland 8.5%, Oman 5.4%, China 5.1% (2016)

US 20.2%, China 17.7%, South Korea 7.2%, Hong Kong 5.2%, Thailand 4.3% (2016)

$241.3 billion (2017 est.)

$230.3 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 20

$625.7 billion (2017 est.)

$583.5 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.)

China 7.4%, US 6.9%, India 6.8%, Germany 4.4% (2016)

China 25.8%, US 11.4%, Australia 5%, South Korea 4.1% (2016)

$89.79 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$85.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 28

$1.217 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.233 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

$239.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$218.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 34

$3.24 trillion (31 March 2016 est.)

$2.83 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

$144.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$134.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

$268.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$238.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

$124.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$114.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

$1.548 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.363 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -

3.67 (2017 est.)

3.67 (2016 est.)

3.67 (2015 est.)

3.67 (2014 est.)

3.67 (2013 est.)

yen (JPY) per US dollar -

111.1 (2017 est.)

108.76 (2016 est.)

108.76 (2015 est.)

121.02 (2014 est.)

97.44 (2013 est.)

37.9 (2011 est.)

24.9 (1993 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

1.5% (31 December 2017 est.)

1.48% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 185

population without electricity: 177,824

electrification - total population: 98%

electrification - urban areas: 99%

electrification - rural areas: 93% (2012)

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

119.7 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

976.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

110.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

933.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 98

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 152

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 118

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 163

28.9 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 34

322.2 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

99.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

59.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 130

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 35

12.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 14

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 158

7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 126

0.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 151

15% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 48

3.106 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

3,918 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 84

2.684 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 88

3.181 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 7

44.12 million bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 80

479,400 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

3.536 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

901,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

4.026 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

334,900 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 26

381,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

413,700 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

1.141 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

60.18 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

4.453 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 53

186 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

123.6 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 10

11.08 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

0 cu m (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 125

20.53 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 14

114.7 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

6.091 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 7

20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 76

245 million Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 26

1.257 billion Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

total subscriptions: 2,285,809

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 56

total subscriptions: 64,099,179

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

total: 19,905,093

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 328 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 59

total: 166,852,753

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic and coaxial cable

international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian) (2016)

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service

domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind

international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2012)

except for the many organizations now operating in media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, most TV and radio stations remain government-owned; widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts; restrictions since June 2017 on some satellite channels and websites originating from or otherwise linked to Qatar (2018)

a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2012)

.ae

.jp

total: 5,370,299

percent of population: 90.6% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 74

total: 116,565,962

percent of population: 92.0% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

number of registered air carriers: 12

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 498

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 84,738,479

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.647 billion mt-km (2015)

number of registered air carriers: 23

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 627

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 113.762 million

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 8,868.745 million mt-km (2015)

A6 (2016)

JA (2016)

43 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 100

175 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 33

total: 25

over 3,047 m: 12

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2013)

total: 142

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 45

1,524 to 2,437 m: 38

914 to 1,523 m: 28

under 914 m: 25 (2017)

total: 18

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 6 (2013)

total: 33

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 28 (2013)

5 (2013)

16 (2013)

condensate 533 km; gas 3,277 km; liquid petroleum gas 300 km; oil 3,287 km; oil/gas/water 24 km; refined products 218 km; water 99 km (2013)

gas 4,456 km; oil 174 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2013)

total: 4,080 km

paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)

country comparison to the world: 157

total: 1,218,772 km

paved: 992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways)

unpaved: 225,937 km (2015)

country comparison to the world: 6

total: 618

by type: general cargo 97, oil tanker 26, other 495 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 34

total: 5,289

by type: bulk carrier 150, container ship 20, general cargo 1,963, oil tanker 714, other 2,442 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 3

major seaport(s): Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khor Fakkan (Khawr Fakkan) (Sharjah), Mubarraz Island (Abu Dhabi), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah)

container port(s) (TEUs): Dubai Port (15,585,000), Khor Fakkan (Khawr Fakkan) (Sharjah) (4,414,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Das Island

major seaport(s): Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama

container port(s) (TEUs): Kobe (2,707,000), Nagoya (2,631,000), Osaka (1,970,000), Tokyo (4,150,000), Yokohama (2,787,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku

total: 27,311 km

standard gauge: 4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified)

dual gauge: 132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015)

country comparison to the world: 11

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010)

country comparison to the world: 44

4.86% of GDP (2017)

4.99% of GDP (2016)

5.66% of GDP (2014)

6.06% of GDP (2013)

country comparison to the world: 6

0.93% of GDP (2016)

0.94% of GDP (2015)

0.96% of GDP (2014)

0.95% of GDP (2013)

0.97% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 119

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Critical Infrastructure Coastal Patrol Agency (CICPA), Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense, Presidential Guard, Joint Aviation Command (2018)

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)

18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for men, optional service for women; 17 years of age for male volunteers with parental approval; 2-year general obligation, 12 months for secondary school graduates; women may train for 9 months regardless of education (2016)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers (2012)

boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

stateless persons: 626 (2016)