Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba departs Haneda Airport for the United States in Tokyo on September 23, 2025. PM Ishiba will attend the United Nations General Assembly.
JOHANNESBURG - Japan has existed as a unified state in various forms for over 1,400 years.
According to traditional records, the imperial lineage traces back to Emperor Jimmu in 660 BCE, though historically verified emperors begin with Emperor Kinmei around 539 CE.
The modern constitutional system was established after World War II with the 1947 Constitution, maintaining the world's oldest continuous monarchy.
Emperor Naruhito has served as Japan's head of state since May 1, 2019, when he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne following his father Emperor Akihito's abdication.
He is the 126th emperor according to traditional succession and ceremonially began the Reiwa era.
Under Japan's constitution, the emperor's role is entirely ceremonial and symbolic, representing "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan".
Shigeru Ishiba has served as Prime Minister since October 1, 2024, after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.
Ishiba is Japan's head of government who leads the Cabinet, sets government policy, and oversees the execution of federal laws.
As Prime Minister, he directs Japan's domestic and foreign policy, leads coalition negotiations, and serves as the country's primary political leader.
Japan is a founding member of the G20 and plays a significant role as the world's fourth-largest economy.
Japan held its first G20 presidency in 2019, hosting the historic G20 Osaka Summit on June 28-29, 2019.
During Japan's presidency, the country focused on promoting "human-centered future society," free trade, innovation, climate action, and digital economy governance.
The Osaka Summit was notable for being the largest summit Japan had ever hosted and for advancing discussions on the digital economy and Society 5.0.
Japan continues active participation in G20 initiatives, with Prime Minister Ishiba attending the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit where he emphasized global responsibility sharing, climate action, and disaster risk reduction.
Japan contributes significantly to G20 development finance, recently announcing approximately $1.1 billion to the Asian Development Fund.
As a member of Group 5 (East/Southeast Asia) in the G20 rotation system, Japan maintains substantial influence in global economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, scheduled for November 22-23, 2025.
Japan has been actively engaging with South Africa's G20 presidency, with Ishiba holding summit meetings with President Ramaphosa and expressing support for the African continent's development priorities.
5 Fun Facts About Japan
- Square Watermelons: Japan grows perfectly square watermelons in boxes to fit neatly in refrigerators, though they're expensive novelty gifts rather than practical food.
- Professional Napping is Socially Acceptable: The practice of inemuri (sleeping while present) is not only tolerated but respected in Japanese workplaces, as it signals you've worked so hard you can't help but doze off.
- Islands Ruled by Animals: Japan has several animal-dominated islands, including Aoshima and Tashirojima where cats outnumber humans, and Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) populated by hundreds of wild rabbits.
- Snow Monkeys Take Spa Days: Japanese macaques in Nagano Prefecture have mastered the art of relaxation by soaking in natural hot springs during winter, creating surreal scenes of monkeys bathing while snow falls around them.
- Precision Transportation Culture: Japan's bullet trains (shinkansen) are so punctual that railway companies issue public apologies when trains depart even 25 seconds early. With an average delay of just over one minute nationwide, the trains are so smooth you can balance a coin on the windowsill while traveling at speeds up to 320 km/h.
By: Nkateko Muloiwa