Japan is an island nation located in Asia. The population is about 120 million, all speaking a single language and of a singular race (different minority groups account in sum for less than 1% of the population). Claiming a history of over 2000 years long, it is an old country, yet relatively young compared to its East Asian neighbors, China and Korea, from which it has absorbed a great degree of cultural influence. Besides the indigenous Shinto, Japanese religions encompass Buddhism and Christianity. Though Japan continues to be an Asian country, it could also perhaps be said to be the most thoroughly westernized country. Companies such as Honda and Sony, widely known throughout the world, are Japanese companies.
Japan is comprised of 47 geographical divisions of which Ehime is one. Of the four main islands that constitute the archipelago, Ehime is located on the one named Shikoku. The economic, political, and cultural capital of Ehime is, Matsuyama. The average year around temperature in Matsuyama is 18 degrees Celsius (in the low sixties, Farenheit), in the Summer it can go as high as 35 C (94 F), and in the Winter, as low as 0 C (32 F).
In the winter, there are occasional snows, but it is rare for it to ever accumulate. Overall, the four seasons are marked quite clearly here. Also there is the rainy season, called Tsuyu in Japan, marking the end of spring and the beginning of Summer through June and into the first part of July.
The population of Ehime Prefecture is about 1.5 million, with Matsuyama being the most populous of its municipalities at a population of approximately 420 thousand. Ehime has an area of 5674 km2 (3523 mi2), 70% of which is forest and fields. Its 1624 km (1008.5 mile) coastline is full of mountains and ravines, most notable of which is Mt. Ishizuchi, 1982 m (6481 ft) tall. It borders the Inland Sea to the north as well as the Uwa sea and the Pacific to its South.
Matsuyama is connected to Tokyo with eight round-trip flights per day to Haneda International Airport. Other destinations of domestic flights include Sapporo, Osaka, Miyazaki, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Okinawa. Starting in April of next year, there will also be regular flights to Seoul. By train, from Tokyo there is a 4 hour trip to Okayama where one transfers to a 80 minute one to Matsuyama. In 1992, Ehime's Gross Prefectural Product reached 4119700000000 yen and the economy grew by 4.2%. For the first time in a number of years, Japan is in an economic recession. Due to this, unemployment has risen to 3%, still low however by international standards. Ehime is also feeling the recession, but is not yet experiencing any serious trouble. In Japan, Ehime is best known for its Mikan orange production. The economic weight borne by ehimeÕs agriculture is actually quite minor; paper and chemical manufacturing as well as Ship-making and other service industries are most central.
A castle having stood at its center for more than 400 years, and a history with Dogo Hot Springs for over 1600 years, Matsuyama is a city rich with tradition. It's temperate climate, simple and open hearted people, are the qualities for which Japan itself has always valued Ehime.