ABSTRACT
The Japanese archipelago includes (from largest to smallest) four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. In 2003, the total population was 126.67 million; total households numbered 49.26 million (Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications IMPMHAPT], 2003b). Currently, 30% of Japan's households reside in the Tokyo metropolitan (Kanto) area (MPMHAPT, 2003c).
