pan maintains one of the world's largest
fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Overall
economic growth has been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5%
average in the 1970s and 1980s. A major contributor to overall growth of
4.5% in 1991 was net exports, which cushioned the effect of slower growth in
domestic demand. Inflation remains low at 3.3% and is easing due to lower
oil prices and a stronger yen. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus,
$80 billion in 1991, which supports extensive investment in foreign assets.
The increased crowding of its habitable land area and the aging of its
population are two major long-run problems.
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent - $2,360.7 billion, per capita $19,000; real
growth rate 4.5% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
2.1% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $481 billion; expenditures $531 billion, including capital
expenditures (public works only) of about $60 billion (FY91)
Exports:
$314.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
manufactures 97% (including machinery 40%, motor vehicles 18%, consumer
electronics 10%)
partners:
Southeast Asia 31%, US 29%, Western Europe 23%, Communist countries 4%,
Middle East 3%
Imports:
$236.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
manufactures 50%, fossil fuels 21%, foodstuffs and raw materials 25%
partners:
Southeast Asia 25%, US 22%, Western Europe 17%, Middle East 12%, Communist
countries 8%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.1% (1991); accounts for 30% of GDP (mining and manufacturing)
Electricity:
196,000,000 kW capacity; 823,000 million kWh produced, 6,640 kWh per capita
(1991)
Industries:
metallurgy, engineering, electrical and electronic, textiles, chemicals,
automobiles, fishing, telecommunications, machine tools, construction
equipment
Agriculture:
accounts for only 2% of GDP; highly subsidized and protected sector, with
crop yields among highest in world; principal crops - rice, sugar beets,
vegetables, fruit; animal products include pork, poultry, dairy and eggs;
about 50% self-sufficient in food production; shortages of wheat, corn,
soybeans; world's largest fish catch of 11.9 million metric tons in 1988

:Japan Economy

Economic aid:
donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $83.2 bi