Japan Might Have Many More Islands Than Experts Previously Thought

Japan Might Have Many More Islands Than Experts Previously Thought
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Japan is officially known to have over 6,800 islands, although the exact number can vary depending on what is considered an “island.” The four largest islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, make up over 97% of Japan’s land area and are home to the majority of the country’s population.

Japan consists of four major islands and numerous smaller islands. The estimated population of Japan is around 126 million people, making it the 11th most populous country in the world. The population is largely concentrated in urban areas, with the Greater Tokyo Area being the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with over 37 million residents.

A new study that ScienceAlert tells us about comes to bring an interesting update on how many islands Japan actually has.

Over 7,000 new islands could be added to Japan’s official list

Japan could potentially be adding more than 7,000 new islands to its official list of land masses, which would double the number counted in 1987. While it may seem impossible to have missed such a significant number of islands, with Japan’s vast 370,000 square kilometer territory, some areas could have been missed or misidentified.

To clarify the country’s land mass inventory, the government utilized digital mapping technology to identify 14,125 islands within its territory, and only those 100 meters or more in length will be recognized on the official list. Although this will not redefine Japan’s territory or territorial waters, it’s an important administrative matter related to the national interest.

Despite a declining birth rate, Japan has a high life expectancy, with an average life expectancy of 84 years. There are several factors that contribute to the high life expectancy in Japan. One of the main reasons is the country’s focus on preventive healthcare and a healthy lifestyle. The Japanese diet, which is rich in fish, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods, has been linked to lower rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Additionally, the Japanese tend to have an active lifestyle, often walking or biking to work, which helps maintain their physical health.


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Even since he was a child, Cristian was staring curiously at the stars, wondering about the Universe and our place in it. Today he's seeing his dream come true by writing about the latest news in astronomy. Cristian is also glad to be covering health and other science topics, having significant experience in writing about such fields.

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