The flag features a red sun on a cool white background. Traditionally, the sun goddess founded Japan in the 7th century BC and gave birth to its first emperor, Jimmu. Even today the emperor is known as the "Son of the Sun" and the popular name for the country is "Land of the Rising Sun." The current flag design was adopted on Aug. 5, 1854.
David
and Angela Doan were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at the United
Pentecostal Churchman -- a U. S. Military congregation -- in Okinawa under
the ministry of Missionary Paul Dennis. In 1992 God called Brother Doan
to preach the gospel to the nationals on Okinawa. While serving at the U.
S. Naval Hospital's Nuclear Medicine Clinic, he became pastor of the Okinawa
National United Pentecostal Church. Brother and Sister Doan received their
appointment as United Pentecostal Church missionaries to Japan in September
1994. *
*From www.upci.net/missionaries/doan/
While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth.
Chief of state:
Emperor
Head of government
Prime Minister
Population
(1998) 126,398,000.
Projection:
(2010) 127,657,000
Land use (1994)
forested 66.4%
meadows & pastures 1.8% agricultural 11.7%
other 20.1%
Religions
Shinto / Buddhist
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