| STAT | Australia | Japan | HISTORY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative divisions | 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia | 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi |
|
| Capital city > Geographic coordinates | 35 17 S, 149 13 E | 35 41 N, 139 45 E |
|
| Capital city > Name | Canberra | Tokyo |
|
| Constitution | 9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901; amended several times, last in 1977 | previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 |
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address | APO AP 96549 | Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 |
|
| Executive branch > Cabinet | prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers | Cabinet is appointed by the prime minister |
|
| Executive branch > Chief of state | Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) | Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) |
|
| Executive branch > Head of government | Prime Minister Anthony John "Tony" ABBOTT (since 18 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Warren TRUSS (since 18 September 2013) | Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012) |
|
| Government type | federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm | a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy |
|
| Judicial branch | High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general acting on the advice of the government) | Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) |
|
| Legal system | common law system based on the English model | civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court |
|
| Legislative branch | bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate | bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet |
|
| Political parties and leaders | Australian Greens Party [Christine MILNE]<br />Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN]<br />Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]<br />Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]<br />Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER]<br />Liberal National Party of Queensland [Campbell NEWMAN]<br />Liberal Party [Tony ABBOTT]<br />National Party of Australia [Warren TRUSS]<br />Palmer United Party [Clive PALMER] | Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Banri KAIEDA]<br />Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]<br />Japan Restoration Party or JRP [Shintaro ISHIHARA]<br />Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE]<br />New Komeito or NK [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]<br />People's Life Party or PF [Ichiro OZAWA]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA]<br />Tomorrow Party of Japan or TPJ [Tomoko ABE]<br />Your Party or YP [Yoshimi WATANABE] |
|
| Political pressure groups and leaders | <strong>other: </strong>business groups, environmental groups, social groups, trade unions | <strong>other: </strong>business groups; trade unions | |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory | 20 years of age; universal |
|
| International organization participation | ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC | ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
|
| Country name > Conventional long form | Commonwealth of Australia | none | |
| Executive branch > Elections | the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general | Diet, the bicameral legislature, designates the prime minister; constitution requires that the prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, the leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary |
|
| National symbol(s) | Southern Cross constellation (five, seven-pointed stars); kangaroo; emu | red sun disc; chrysanthemum | |
| Flag description | blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small, five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars | white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center |
|
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days |
2.5
Ranked 183th. |
22
Ranked 65th. 9 times more than Australia |
|
| Country name > Conventional short form | Australia | Japan | |
| Constitutional form | Constitutional monarchy | Constitutional monarchy | |
| Transnational Issues > Disputes > International | In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; Australia's 2004 submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed exclusive economic zone; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing | the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting |
|
| Total businesses registered > Number |
3.16 million
Ranked 6th. 19% more than Japan |
2.67 million
Ranked 9th. |
|
| National anthem | <strong>name: </strong>"Advance Australia Fair"<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Peter Dodds McCORMICK | <strong>name: </strong>"Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI | |
| FAX | 61 | 81 | |
| Legislative branch > Election results | Senate NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 53.45%, Australian Labor Party 46.55%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 90 (Liberal 58, Liberal National 22, Nationals 9, Country Liberals 1), Australian Labor Party 55, Australian Greens Party 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Palmer United Party 1, independents 2 | House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 115, DPJ 59, New Komeito 20, Your Party 18, JCP 11, JRP 9, SDP 3, others 4, independents 3<br />House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (by proportional representation) - LDP 31.6%, DPJ 16.6%, JRP 22.2%, New Komeito 12.2%, Your Party 7.7%, JCP 4.4%, TRP 3.9%, others 1.4%; seats by party LDP 294, DPJ 57, JRP 54, New Komeito 31, Your Party 18, TPJ 9, JCP 8, others 4, independents 5 |
|
| Legislative branch > Elections | Senate - last held on 7 September 2013; House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2013 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2016) | House of Councillors - last held on 21 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 16 December 2012 (next to be held by 15 December 2016) |
|
| Democracy and rights > Press freedom index |
15.24
Ranked 16th. |
25.17
Ranked 8th. 65% more than Australia |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage |
24.67%
Ranked 50th. 3 times more than Japan |
7.92%
Ranked 161st. |
|
| Independence | 1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies) | 3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy) |
|
| Judicial branch > Subordinate courts | subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts â Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts â New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court â Victoria; Family Court â Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions â Norfolk Island | 8 | |
| Basis of executive legitimacy | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence | |
| Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press |
21
Ranked 163th. |
22
Ranked 157th. 5% more than Australia |
|
| Corruption > Bribe Payers Index |
8.5
Ranked 7th. |
8.6
Ranked 5th. 1% more than Australia |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament |
24.7%
Ranked 35th. 3 times more than Japan |
9.4%
Ranked 124th. |
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy | Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 | 1 |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
3
Ranked 174th. |
8
Ranked 59th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Leaders > Head of state | Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general | Emperor Akihito | |
| Democracy > Civil and political liberties |
6
Ranked 9th. 9% more than Japan |
5.5
Ranked 19th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ |
119.87 billion$
Ranked 11th. |
823.3 billion$
Ranked 2nd. 7 times more than Australia |
|
| National holiday | Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) | Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December |
|
| Capital > Geographic coordinates | 35 16 S, 149 08 E | 35 41 N, 139 45 E | |
| Democracy > First female parliamentarian | 1943 (elected) | 1946 (elected) | |
| Time required to start a business > Days |
2 days
Ranked 170th. |
23 days
Ranked 125th. 12 times more than Australia |
|
| Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment |
0.994
Ranked 47th. |
1
Ranked 20th. 1% more than Australia |
|
| Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office | justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70 | Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward | |
| Democracy and rights > Democracy Index |
9.22
Ranked 6th. 14% more than Japan |
8.08
Ranked 19th. |
|
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient |
5.3
Ranked 10th. 10% more than Japan |
4.8
Ranked 31st. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days |
4.5
Ranked 174th. |
13
Ranked 154th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Politics | Tony Abbott's conservative Liberal-National coalition swept into office in elections in September 2013 | The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was in power for much of the country's post-war history. It was ousted in 2009 by the Democratic Party, but returned to office with a landslide election win in 2012 | |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | |
| Parliament > Seats held by men |
113
Ranked 86th. |
442
Ranked 10th. 4 times more than Australia |
|
| Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
1
Ranked 163th. 67% more than Japan |
0.6
Ranked 169th. |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.132
Ranked 161st. 2 times more than Japan |
0.0627
Ranked 176th. |
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone | [61] (02) 6214-5600 | [81] (03) 3224-5000 |
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission | Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY (since 7 February 2010) | Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012) |
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission | Ambassador John BERRY (since 25 September 2013) | Ambassador Caroline Bouvier KENNEDY (since 19 November 2013) |
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery | None | None |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women |
37
Ranked 64th. |
38
Ranked 60th. 3% more than Australia |
|
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel |
None
|
None
|
|
| Democracy > Democratic institutions rating |
10
Ranked 23th. The same as Japan |
10
Ranked 6th. |
|
| UN membership date | 1 Nov. 1945 | 18 Dec. 1956 | |
| Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people |
0.406
Ranked 22nd. 6 times more than Japan |
0.0633
Ranked 32nd. |
|
| Total businesses registered > Number per 1000 |
158.93
Ranked 3rd. 8 times more than Japan |
20.96
Ranked 42nd. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
11
Ranked 152nd. |
14
Ranked 85th. 27% more than Australia |
|
| Capital city | Canberra | Tokyo | |
| Capital > Name | Canberra | Tokyo | |
| Legal origin | <a href=/encyclopedia/England>English</a> | <a href=/country/gm>German</a> | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita |
5,965.83$
per capita
Ranked 16th. |
6,443.96$
per capita
Ranked 12th. 8% more than Australia |
|
| Spending > Expense > Current LCU |
287.94 billion
Ranked 40th. |
63.87 trillion
Ranked 1st. 222 times more than Australia |
|
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days |
75
Ranked 111th. |
105
Ranked 82nd. 40% more than Australia |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout |
94.9%
Ranked 3rd. 57% more than Japan |
60.6%
Ranked 113th. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level | 1902 | 1947 | |
| Legislature (parliament) > People per member |
97,044
Ranked 35th. |
176,648
Ranked 13th. 82% more than Australia |
|
| Capital > Time difference | UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | |
| Constitutional monarchy > Current constitutional monarchies > Last constitution established | 1901 | 1946 | |
| International relations | Australia is a regional policeman; further afield, its troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan | There has been tension with China and South Korea over Japan's wartime past and territorial waters, and with North Korea over the latter's nuclear ambitions | |
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million |
3.31
Ranked 145th. 4 times more than Japan |
0.823
Ranked 176th. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members |
150
Ranked 63th. |
480
Ranked 18th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members |
76
Ranked 29th. |
242
Ranked 8th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
395
Ranked 156th. 10% more than Japan |
360
Ranked 166th. |
|
| Democracy > Female parliamentarians |
26.5%
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than Japan |
10%
Ranked 88th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number |
5
Ranked 127th. |
6
Ranked 72nd. 20% more than Australia |
|
| Role of head of state | Ceremonial | Ceremonial | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita |
5,955.33$
Ranked 16th. |
6,444.06$
Ranked 12th. 8% more than Australia |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
2
Ranked 169th. |
8
Ranked 104th. 4 times more than Australia |
|
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million |
0.234
Ranked 90th. 6 times more than Japan |
0.0376
Ranked 131st. |
|
| Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong |
9
Ranked 17th. 29% more than Japan |
7
Ranked 47th. |
|
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU |
201.9 billion
Ranked 31st. |
41.37 trillion
Ranked 1st. 205 times more than Australia |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for upper house members |
6
Ranked 20th. The same as Japan |
6
Ranked 21st. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP |
0.183$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 55th. 2% more than Japan |
0.18$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 58th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women per million people |
1.66
Ranked 127th. 6 times more than Japan |
0.299
Ranked 174th. |
|
| Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment | February 15, 1960 | July 28, 1956 | |
| Democracy > Female suffrage | "1902 ,1962" | "1945 ,1947" | |
| Political pressure groups and leaders > Other | business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions | business groups; trade unions |
|
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
112
Ranked 133th. |
193
Ranked 52nd. 72% more than Australia |
|
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council | Informal relations Rejection of Assad government | Informal relations | |
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million |
0.11
Ranked 178th. |
0.172
Ranked 170th. 56% more than Australia |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
1.23
Ranked 147th. 5 times more than Japan |
0.243
Ranked 181st. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million |
0.198
Ranked 172nd. 95% more than Japan |
0.102
Ranked 176th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million |
4.94
Ranked 145th. 3 times more than Japan |
1.51
Ranked 169th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.485
Ranked 142nd. 4 times more than Japan |
0.11
Ranked 174th. |
|
| Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita |
159.11
per 1,000 people
Ranked 4th. 8 times more than Japan |
20.96
per 1,000 people
Ranked 43th. |
|
| Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU |
10.21 billion
Ranked 47th. |
13.08 trillion
Ranked 1st. 1281 times more than Australia |
|
| Democracy and rights > Major left wing party | Australian Labor Party | Democratic Party | |
| Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador | Beazley, Kim Kim Beazley | Sasae, Kenichiro Kenichiro Sasae | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita |
4,126.37 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 18th. |
6,782.1 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 6th. 64% more than Australia |
|
| Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
140 days
Ranked 123th. 46% more than Japan |
96 days
Ranked 151st. |
|
| Failed States Index |
25.4
Ranked 24th. |
36.1
Ranked 12th. 42% more than Australia |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population |
14.04 million
Ranked 36th. |
103.16 million
Ranked 5th. 7 times more than Australia |
|
| Bicycle helmets > Legislation > Bicycle helmet legislation > Date enacted | 1989 | 2008 | |
| Democracy > Female candidacy |
1,902
Ranked 160th. |
1,945
Ranked 97th. 2% more than Australia |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000 |
0.795
Ranked 8th. 5 times more than Japan |
0.145
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita |
0.797
per 1,000 people
Ranked 8th. 5 times more than Japan |
0.145
per 1,000 people
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment | February 13, 1992 | March 5, 1993 | |
| National anthem > Name | "Advance Australia Fair" | "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign) | |
| Executive branch > A note | <a href=/cat/Government>government</a> coalition - <a href=/encyclopedia/The-Liberal-Party-(UK)><a href=/encyclopedia/The-Liberal-Party-(UK)>Liberal Party</a></a> and National Party | following the resignation of <a href=/encyclopedia/Prime-Minister-of-the-United-Kingdom><a href=/encyclopedia/Prime-Minister-of-the-United-Kingdom>Prime Minister</a></a> Yoshiro MORI, Junichiro KOIZUMI was elected as the new <a href=/kp/president>president</a> of the majority <a href=/encyclopedia/Liberal-Party-of-Canada><a href=/encyclopedia/Liberal-Party-of-Canada>Liberal</a></a> <a href=/encyclopedia/United-States-Democratic-Party><a href=/encyclopedia/United-States-Democratic-Party>Democratic</a> Party</a>, and soon thereafter designated by the Diet to become the next prime minister | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration |
12.71 million
Ranked 34th. |
100.43 million
Ranked 6th. 8 times more than Australia |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote |
12.05 million
Ranked 27th. |
60.88 million
Ranked 5th. 5 times more than Australia |
|
| Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
181 days
Ranked 165th. |
242 days
Ranked 150th. 34% more than Australia |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita |
0.097
per 1 million people
Ranked 156th. 54% more than Japan |
0.063
per 1 million people
Ranked 162nd. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Electoral system | Lower House AV; Upper House PR (STV) | Semi-PR | |
| Procedures to register property > Number |
5
Ranked 121st. |
6
Ranked 72nd. 20% more than Australia |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
17
Ranked 87th. 55% more than Japan |
11
Ranked 151st. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Party system | Two | Multi | |
| Democracy and rights > Structure | Parliamentary | Parliamentary | |
| Democracy and rights > Last election | September 2013 | December 2012 | |
| Democracy and rights > Major right wing party | Liberal Party of Australia | Liberal Democratic Party | |
| Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament |
226
Ranked 50th. |
722
Ranked 7th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral? | Yes | No | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU | 162993000000 | 89074900000000 |
|
| Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue |
3.26%
Ranked 55th. |
21.06%
Ranked 9th. 6 times more than Australia |
|
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense |
70.12%
Ranked 8th. 8% more than Japan |
64.76%
Ranked 1st. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members |
3
Ranked 181st. |
4
Ranked 123th. 33% more than Australia |
|
| Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours |
107 hours
Ranked 145th. |
350 hours
Ranked 48th. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ |
82.91 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 12th. |
866.5 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 2nd. 10 times more than Australia |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita |
0.828
per 1 million people
Ranked 119th. 10 times more than Japan |
0.086
per 1 million people
Ranked 162nd. |
|
| National anthem > Note | adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem did not become official until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) | adopted 1999; in use as unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes |
4.8%
Ranked 26th. 60% more than Japan |
3%
Ranked 46th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
28
Ranked 177th. |
31
Ranked 161st. 11% more than Australia |
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone | [1] (202) 797-3000 | [1] (202) 238-6700 |
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX | [1] (202) 797-3168 | [1] (202) 328-2187 |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.22
Ranked 136th. 5 times more than Japan |
0.047
Ranked 175th. |
|
| Capital city > Time difference | UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general | Melbourne, Perth, Sydney | Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita |
4,119.11 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 18th. |
6,782.21 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 6th. 65% more than Australia |
|
| Trademarks > Residents > Per capita |
1.85
per 1,000 people
Ranked 5th. 2 times more than Japan |
0.863
per 1,000 people
Ranked 12th. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist party, years in power | 1910-1916, 1929-1932, 1941-1949, 1972-1975, 1983-1996, 2007-2013 | 1947 | |
| Spending > Interest payments > % of expense |
3.55%
Ranked 55th. |
20.48%
Ranked 10th. 6 times more than Australia |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.242
Ranked 122nd. 5 times more than Japan |
0.047
Ranked 156th. |
|
| Ruling party | Liberal/National | Liberal Democratic | |
| Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
1 years
Ranked 142nd. 67% more than Japan |
0.6 years
Ranked 149th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth |
3.73%
Ranked 48th. 85% more than Japan |
2.02%
Ranked 79th. |
|
| Time required to register property > Days |
5 days
Ranked 157th. |
14 days
Ranked 142nd. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents |
16,007
Ranked 8th. |
18,573
Ranked 5th. 16% more than Australia |
|
| Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist parties which have governed | Australian Labor Party | Japan Socialist Party | |
| Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China | December 21, 1972 | September 29, 1972 | |
| Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review? | No | No | |
| Democracy and rights > Strongly federal? | Yes | No | |
| Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general | Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco | Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle | |
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.0966
Ranked 156th. 54% more than Japan |
0.0626
Ranked 162nd. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
19
Ranked 161st. |
20
Ranked 157th. 5% more than Australia |
|
| Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia | Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that "the declaration overnight by Russian President Medvedev I don't believe is a helpful contribution. Indeed some may regard that as provocative. I don't think it helps circumstances in Georgia and I don't think it helps relationships generally between Russia and the rest of the world. Australia respects the territorial integrity of Georgia and our ongoing position is that we believe that Russia should abide by the ceasefire effected through the European Union and President Sarkozy and return its forces to the positions they occupied on August 6 and 7". | Yasuaki Tanizaki , director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's European bureau, said "Our country is gravely concerned about the move. Our country hopes that Russia ... will take responsible actions for the region's stability". | |
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo |
None
|
None
|
|
| Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes | On 20 January 2012, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd publicly rejected the Assad regime in a joint press conference with French foreign Minister Alan Juppe. "Our view in Australia is that Assad must go." On 24 January, Rudd met with UK foreign minister William Hague, and announced that he had met with Burhan Ghalioun, the President of the SNC, in the previous week. | On 11 May 2012, a SNC Delegation visited the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SNC President Burhan Ghalioun held discussions with Foreign Mninister Koichiro Gemba . Later, Ghalioun met with Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ryuji Yamane and former UN Under Secretary General Yasushi Akashi . | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 |
705.65
Ranked 44th. |
807.68
Ranked 10th. 14% more than Australia |
|
| FAX > Consulate(s) general | Perth, Sydney | Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo | |
| Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX | [61] (02) 6214-5970 | [81] (03) 3505-1862 |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by men per million people |
5.08
Ranked 159th. 46% more than Japan |
3.47
Ranked 172nd. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Next election | January 2017 | December 2016 | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU | 142998000000 | 93379000000000 |
|
| Trademarks > Residents per million |
1,848.33
Ranked 5th. 2 times more than Japan |
863.1
Ranked 12th. |
|
| Spending > Expense > % of GDP |
24.37%
Ranked 51st. 67% more than Japan |
14.62%
Ranked 32nd. |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.821
Ranked 117th. 10 times more than Japan |
0.0861
Ranked 161st. |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % |
26%
Ranked 51st. 3 times more than Japan |
8.1%
Ranked 159th. |
|
| Trademarks > Residents |
37,202
Ranked 8th. |
110,270
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Australia |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
0.918
Ranked 135th. 6 times more than Japan |
0.157
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita |
0.244
per 1 million people
Ranked 123th. 5 times more than Japan |
0.047
per 1 million people
Ranked 158th. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita |
0.926
per 1 million people
Ranked 136th. 6 times more than Japan |
0.157
per 1 million people
Ranked 165th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million |
17.41
Ranked 150th. 6 times more than Japan |
2.82
Ranked 181st. |
|
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