The economy of Japan is the 3rd largest in the world if we consider his estimated $ 5.8 trillion (2011 ) Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) Nominal, behind only the United States and China - as well as considering the fourth measured GDP in purchasing power of nearly $ 4.4 trillion , behind only the United States, China and India .

 The country is the ninth in the competitiveness ranking of the World Economic Forum .

 The industries are concentrated on the coast and the island of Honshu has the largest industrial park : Tokyo , Nagoya , Osaka form an immense megalopolis .

 Japan is extremely dependent on foreign raw materials ( over 90 % ) .

 Small reserves of copper, zinc, lead , and coal , small waterfalls , its energy comes from nuclear plants .

 Only 12 % of Japanese territory is suitable for cultivation. Due to this lack of arable land , a system of terrace is used for planting in small areas . Consequently , the country has one of the highest production per square area in the world , achieving self - sufficiency in agricultural products by around 50 % in only 56 square kilometers ( 14 million acres ) cultivated .