JAPAN Location: Japan is an island country in East Asia CULTURE JAPANESE CULTURE WAS INFLUENCED FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE MIDDLE AGES PRIMARILY BY MULTIPLE CHINESE DYNASTIES AND TO A LESSER EXTENT BY OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES. THE ECONOMY OF JAPAN IS A HIGHLY DEVELOPED FREE-MARKET ECONOMY SUMO WRESTLING IS CONSIDERED JAPAN'S NATIONAL SPORT The following represent some of Japan's most popular traditions. Bonenkai Parties. Bonenkai are Japanese office parties held in December. ... Fukusasa Lucky Bamboo Branches. ... Zabuton Throwing. ... Yamayaki Mountain Burning. ... Mamemaki Bean Throwing. ... Mochi Making. ... Ehomaki Sushi Rolls. ... KFC On Christmas Eve. Japanese (日本語, Nihongo [ɲihoŋɡo] is an East Asian language spoken by about 128 million people, primarily in Japan, where it is the national language 15 Most Popular Foods Sushi & Sashimi. Let's start with the food item that most of us associates Japan with: Sushi and Sashimi. ... Tempura. Tempura is a Japanese fried dish made mostly from seafood and vegetables. ... Kare-Raisu (Curry Rice) ... Shabu Shabu. ... Miso Soup. ... Yakitori. ... Onigiri. ... Udon.