Japan

Japan is a country made up of a collection of islands in Eastern Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies off the eastern coast of the Asian continent and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea in the south.

Female
Japan is one of the countries most shown with cat ears and a cat tail, which reflects the anime side of its culture and is reference to the Nekomimi/Neko-chan (girl with cat's ears) or the Kitsune (Japanese nine-tailed fox). She usually wears Japanese school uniform, including black loafers, long white socks, short navy blue skirt, with a white top and a little Bright red scarf.

Japan can also sometimes be shown wearing a type of business suit.

They is also sometimes represented wearing a kimono (in its different version such as the yukata, relax version, or the furisode, worn almost always for the tea ceremony) with geta (a sort of shoes made out of wood), and sometimes with a katana.

Male
In this version, Japan usually has no cat attributes and wears more formal or casual clothes. They represent the serious and shy side of the country, more close to reality than what anime shows. They are sometimes also represented with a military suit of the samurai.

 

Personality
Japan is extremely polite and courteous. They can be portrayed by the fandom as "fangirling", cosplaying, trying to act "cute" or being loud and extroverted. But, often they also have a very serious and hardworking side. They often have an issue with overworking themselves to exhaustion and are often serious, Possibly due to the fact of them suffering from the guilt of World War II and even being suicidal.

Due to this they are often very stressed and may even lash out at other countries. Possibly even with a concealed katana, due to how paranoid they are.

In reality, Japan is very introverted and often force themselves to be social.

Interests

 * Art and Animation
 * Manga
 * Consuming Tea
 * Sculpture
 * Calligraphy
 * Onsens (hot springs)
 * Traveling
 * Writing Haiku
 * Bonsai Making
 * Flower Arranging
 * Baseball
 * Mech-suits
 * KFC

Japan loves all their pop-culture items such as manga, anime and other types of Japanese media. Which they also enjoy creating. Since America showed them baseball they have been in love with the sport and have even beaten America in some games.

When they have the time to have a break they enjoy drinking tea to calm down, under cherry blossom trees. They just really like the setting due to the trees reminding them of their childhood and the falling of the petals calming.

They also like making short poetry called Haiku, which has three lines, one with five syllables, one with seven, and then finally another line with five. Japan sometimes challenges their friends to make Haikus on the spot laughing when they fail.

Another hobby of theirs is creating Bonsai. An art form that uses cultivation practices to create tree-like bushes in small containers. In addition, Japan also enjoys arranging flowers. Also known as "Ikebana". Sadly Japan usually cannot do these activities due to how busy they are.

Flag meaning
The flag is named "Hi no maru" but also "Nisshōki". The red circle represents the goddess of the sun Amaterasu.

Others symbols
The National Day of Japan is related to the birthday of the Emperor, so it often changes. At this moment it is the 23 of February. The fact Japan has an emperor while it is not an empire is one of its particularities' unique qualities.

WIP

Nicknames
"The Land of the Rising Sun" comes from the way Japanese people call their country "Nihon" or "Nippon", which you can write in kanji (one of the forms of writing of the language):日本, here 日 means "sun" and 本 means "origin". The origin of the expression would date back to the letter written by the prince Shotoku to the Chinese emperor: "from the Son of Heaven in the land where the sun rises to the Son of Heaven in the land where the sun sets.".

Etymology
Japan's people called the country Yamato in its early history, and they began using Nippon around the seventh century. The roots of the name Japan is not fixed, but researchers say it probably came from the Malayan ″Japung″ or the Chinese ″Riben,″ meaning roughly land of the rising sun.

Organizations and Affiliations

 * African Development Bank (AfDB) (nonregional member)
 * Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 * Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
 * Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
 * Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (dialogue partner)
 * Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF)
 * Australia Group
 * Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
 * Colombo Plan (CP)
 * Council of Europe (CE) (observer)
 * East Asia Summit (EAS)
 * European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
 * Energy Charter
 * European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) (observer)
 * Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
 * Group of Five (G5)
 * Group of Seven (G7)
 * Group of Eight (G8)
 * Group of Ten (G10)
 * Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors(G20)
 * Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
 * International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
 * International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
 * International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
 * International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
 * International Criminal Court (ICCT)
 * International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
 * International Development Association (IDA)
 * International Energy Agency (IEA)
 * International Energy Charter
 * International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS)
 * International Finance Corporation (IFC)
 * International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
 * International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
 * International Labour Organization (ILO)
 * International Maritime Organization (IMO)
 * International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO)
 * International Monetary Fund (IMF)
 * International Olympic Committee (IOC)
 * International Organization for Migration (IOM)
 * International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
 * International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM)
 * International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
 * International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO)
 * International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
 * Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
 * Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
 * Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
 * Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
 * Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
 * Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)
 * Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) (partner)
 * Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
 * Organization of American States (OAS) (observer)
 * Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) (partner)
 * Paris Club
 * Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
 * South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (observer)
 * Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) (observer)
 * United Nations (UN)
 * United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD)
 * United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
 * United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)
 * United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
 * United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
 * United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
 * United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
 * Universal Postal Union (UPU)
 * World Confederation of Labour (WCL)
 * World Customs Organization (WCO)
 * World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)
 * World Health Organization (WHO)
 * World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
 * World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
 * World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
 * World Trade Organization (WTO)
 * World Veterans Federation
 * Zangger Committee (ZC)

Yayoi period
The Yayoi period (or 弥生時代 Yayoi Jidai) dated 1000 BC - 300 AD. This period started at the beginning of the Neolithic in Japan, continued through the Bronze Age, and towards its end crossing into the Iron Age.

Some have argued that the period previously classified as a transition from the Jōmon period should be reclassified as Early Yayoi. Although the beginning date of this transition is debatable, the range is estimated ranging from the 10th to the 6th centuries BC.

The Yayoi period includes the appearance of new Yayoi pottery styles and the start of intensive rice agriculture in paddy fields. A hierarchical social class structure dates from this period and originated in China. Techniques in metallurgy based on the use of bronze and iron were also introduced from China to Korea and over to Japan in this period.

The Yayoi culture flourished from southern Kyūshū to northern Honshū. Modern Japanese are mostly descendants of the Yayoi people.

Kofun period
This period started in 250 and it is taking its name from the funeral hummock, in the shape of a lock and surrounded by water, dedicated to the person who had power.

During this period was created the political regime Yamato under the control of a lord who had control of the regions Honshu and Kyushu and founded a kingdom. The Kami (divinities) had a lot of importance to them, but also for the numerous clan who were born and had their own protective Kami as the Soga, the Katsuraki and the Heguri.

With time the Yamato deleted the clans and took the agricultural lands. They started to unite the land by developing n central administration and a court.

This period marks the birth of Japan as a state.

Asuka period
This period started around the years 538 and its name comes from the first capital of the Yamoto kingdom sometimes (the court was moving). During this period the country opened its frontiers to the Korean, which brought Buddhism (at the middle of the 6th century), Korean knowledge, and Chinese culture. In this period the country changed its name from Wa (倭) to Nippon (日本).

The links with China becoming stronger under the dynasty Soga which changed the country by being largely inspired by the Chinese politic and education.

But the dynasty Soga is eradicated and the country enters in an era of political instability and war and loses its commerce with Korea. After that, the clan Fujiwara implement the reforms Taika which implement the first penal code in the country and taxes. One system of government is implemented in every region.

Nara period
Nara was the seat of government, and the old custom of changing the capital with each successive emperor was finally discarded. During this period, the centralized government provided for under the ritsuryō structure worked reasonably well; it was a time of atypical social mobility based on merit, where those with Chinese learning or Buddhist knowledge enjoyed access to power. Perhaps the most conspicuous feature is the brilliant flowering of culture, especially Buddhist culture. The leaders in its promotion were the emperor Shōmu and his consort, Kōmyō. Immediately on his accession, Shōmu who from childhood had been given a thorough schooling as future emperor showed an eager concern to promote the stable livelihood of the people. Convinced that the Buddhist faith was a means to ensure both the happiness of the individual and peace for the country as a whole, he introduced strong doses of Buddhism into his government.

Heian period
The Heian period was preceded by the Nara period and began in 794 CE after the movement of the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto), by the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu. Kanmu first tried to move the capital to Nagaoka-kyō, but a series of disasters befell the city, prompting the emperor to relocate the capital a second time, to Heian. A rebellion occurred in China in the last years of the 9th century, making the political situation unstable. The Japanese missions to Tang China were suspended and the influx of Chinese exports halted, a fact which facilitated the independent growth of Japanese culture called kokufu bunka [ja]. Therefore, the Heian Period is considered a high point in Japanese culture that later generations have always admired. The period is also noted for the rise of the samurai class, which would eventually take power and start the feudal period of Japan.

Kamakura period
This period started around the year 1185.

Muromachi period
This period started around the year 1336.

Azuchi–Momoyama period
This period started around the year 1573.

Edo period
This period started around the year 1603.

Meiji period
This period started around the year 1868.

Taishō period
This period started around the year 1912.

Shōwa period
This period started around the year 1926.

World War II
In 1901, Hirohito was emperor of Japan from 1926 until his death in 1989. He took over at a time of rising democratic sentiment, but his country soon turned toward ultra-nationalism and militarism. During World War II (1939-45), Japan attacked almost all of its Asian neighbors, allied itself with Nazi Germany and launched a surprise assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Though Hirohito later portrayed himself as a virtually without power constitutional monarch, many scholars have come to believe he played an active role in the war effort. After Japan’s surrendering in 1945, he became a figurehead without any political power.

See also: Japanese Empire

Heisei period
This period started around the year 1989.

Reiwa period
This period started around the year 2019.

United States
Relations began in the late 18th and early 19th century, with the diplomatic but force-backed missions of U.S. ship captains James Glynn and Matthew C. Perry to the Tokugawa shogunate. The countries maintained relatively cordial relations after that. Potential disputes were resolved. Japan acknowledged American control of Hawaii and the Philippines and the United States reciprocated regarding Korea. Disagreements about Japanese immigration to the U.S. were resolved in 1907. The two were allies against Germany in World War I.

China
The two countries have always had a very taut relation and fought many times, the most recent is the second Sino-Japanese war from 1937 to 1945. They're not at the point to make a war today but they're still rivals, even if Japan is now considering collaboration rather than competition and has made the first move.

Philippines
Japan–Philippines relations span a period from before the 16th century to the present. The Philippines was the first ever country to experience Japanese immigration than any other country in the world. Later in years, more and more Japanese would flee to the islands to escape the persecution from Japan. The relationship between the nation deteriorated when the Japanese were under the control of a dictatorship and isolated itself. The relationship became even worse when Imperial Japan occupied the country in 1941 which caused millions of deaths. The Japanese Empire occupied the Philippines because it was a major ally and was under US control. Once the Axis Powers had been defeated the relationship between the nations have significantly warmed and Japan describes the Philippines as a new best friend and close trading partner to help and rebuild the economy and development aid to the country. The Philippines was also a part of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere back then.

Indonesia
In 1942 the Japanese Empire attacked the Dutch East Indies (which was the name for Indonesia during Dutch colonization) which was a Dutch colony and encouraged Indonesia and encouraged him to have a nationalist speech, so they were seen as a liberator. But their relations got worse fast because Indonesian people were persecuted. It stopped when the Japanese Empire was defeated in 1945, even if soldiers helped Indonesia into its war for its independence against the Netherlands. In the middle of the '50s, the two countries started to talk about war reparations and signed in 1958 the Agreement on Compensation which marked the start of their diplomatic relationship. Today the relationship between the countries are good, as they are good trade partners and Japan is a major donor of development aid to Indonesia.

Malaysia
Their relations started in the 15th century as Japan having trade with Malacca Sultanate. But their relationship started deteriorating on 8th December 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. As the Japanese Empire attacked Straits Settlement (which was the name for British Malaya at that time), the British Raj, Australia, British and Malay soldiers try their best to defend British Malaya but failed as Japanese Empire had more soldiers. This caused them to retreat to Singapore to make one last stand. Failed, Straits Settlement was on the hand of the Japanese Empire. At first, the people saw Japanese soldiers as their liberator, however, it appeared to be not. In 1945, the Japanese Empire surrendered to the Allies. Their relationship turned more positive in 1957, afterward, they became trading partners.

Serbia
In 1882 Japan recognized Serbia as an independent state in the congress of Berlin, and their first diplomatic relation began in 1882. During WW2 the two countries were in opposite camps and their relations were at its lowest point. Japan has exported a lot of products to Serbia since the dissolution of Yugoslavia (but was also an important trading partner of Yugoslavia and they had a really good relationship) and is one of most important Asian trader of Serbia.

South Korea
Their relationship is somewhat up and down, due to the fact that they've had some issues in the past when it comes to WWII that haven't been resolved, but they're okay and share a lot in common. Recently, however, there have been traded disputes that have started a trade war between the two countries, and their relations are currently at their lowest point.

Geography
Japan is an archipelago of 377 944 km2situated in East Asia and composed of 6,852 islands, but only 480 have inhabitants. The four most important are:


 * Honshū
 * Hokkaidō
 * Kyūshū
 * Shikoku

The country is sadly known for his numerous natural disasters due to its position near four tectonic plates: Philippines Sea plate, Eurasian plate, Pacific plate and North American plate (not sure for the last one).

Family

 * China — step-parent
 * Taiwan — pibling
 * Mongolia — pibling
 * Hong Kong — sibling
 * Macau — sibling
 * Vietnam — sibling
 * Laos — sibling
 * Cambodia — sibling
 * Myanmar — sibling
 * Bhutan — sibling
 * Thailand — sibling
 * Okinawa — sibling
 * South Korea — step-sibling
 * North Korea — step-sibling
 * Palau — adopted child
 * [All of Japan's territory and/or provinces are their child]

Friends

 * Netherlands — "I'm sorry about the war thing but it was your fault for aiding the Allies! We had a great connection back in the Ancient Era since you were the one who showed me that the outside world isn't a bad place! We still have great relations"
 * United States ​​​​​​ — "Although you're now my closest ally, after, I still mostly see you as a threat, what you've done during WWII was outrages! I think I was at fault as well so I'm sorry, also stop calling me Tentacle freak! I guess, you're not that bad. I appreciate that you and your people loving my products and especially anime!"
 * Palau — "They know Japanese fairly well and they love my culture! Even after colonial times we're very close and I invest in developing them!"
 * Argentina — "Been friends since the Empire Era We made a deal, so lots of my people live there!
 * France — "Really love your culture, It's amazing! Your language is also studied here in my country."
 * Germany — "My old friend, You were a close friend of mine."
 *  Kazakhstan — "Loves my anime and hates Logan Paul like me!"
 * Canada — "You translate my anime so people can watch it dubbed, Thank you! We do lots of business too!"
 * Serbia"I guess we are friends because of your help
 * Spain — "You're really kind person! You really like my culture and visit my country."
 * Portugal — "First European friend to land in my country! You've shown me a lot of things. But I'm upset that you tried to take control of my land! Well, we're really close now. You're also my best friend!".     
 * Greece — "We both have a thing for cats. Moreover, I've known them in Ancient times"
 *  Bangladesh — "Ah, my amazing step-twin. Why can't we be one nation?"
 * Turkey — "Like everyone, You love my media and we both just adore tea and since the Ertuğrul incident we've been friends!"
 * Italy — "You've switched side with the Allies. Well, can't blame you. You're my trading partner and a good friend!"
 * Australia — "We both love anime. you're really funny and helped me a lot. I appreciate it"
 * Bulgaria — "Ally since World War II! your landscape is beautiful, sorry for using it!"
 * Costa Rica — "Give me bananas!"
 * Malta — "We're friends forever!"
 * Malaysia — "You like my culture too? That's great! You're also my trading partner!"
 *  Mongolia — "The best friend, you really helped and sent aid to me after the tsunami that hit my land hard."
 * Philippines — "You are a very close friend since Ancient times! My people really like to visit your country! Apologies for the occupation of your country, I really am. But your people really love my culture and anime which makes me happy! I also can speak Filipino a little bit. Thank you for forgiving me as well."
 * Singapore — "Another trading partner!"
 * Thailand — "An ally during the war until they sided our enemies. At least you like my culture and anime! You're also my trading partner!"
 * Tunisia — “Who needs visas?”
 * Washington — "Washington! Ignoring the WWII internment camps... We've known each other for years and the first U.S. vessel to come and meet my ancestors were built in Washington, we both really like technology and each other's culture!"
 * California
 * Oregon

Neutral

 * South Korea — "Although we have lots in common, our people hate each other, besides, our current relations are at their lowest points. And stop acting so overreacting! Just because I didn't apologize to you properly doesn't mean you should glare at me every morning!! Just get on with this, all the people back in the war are dead! Why are you so weird!"
 * Algeria — "We're semi-good friends and fairly excellent partners, You would be one of my friends just if you stop bothering me with the late payment of your debts, some say it's my fault because I ordered you to pay them earlier than usual, but I'm not sure."
 * Vietnam — "I guess it's best to keep it neutral"
 * Indonesia — "I'm terribly sorry for the occupation and massacre of your citizens during World War II. At least you love my cars, technology, brands, video games, anime and manga!"
 * Hokkaido — "My adopted child, please stop asking for independence that was such a long time ago and I treat you well now!"

Enemies

 * China — "I have apologized for the things of the past and what has changed, the United States gave me the senkaku and now you claim them"
 * North Korea — "You accidentally pressed the "launch" button and nearly nuked me. I don't like you, so get out of my sight! Or else I'll try more nukes on your sea!"
 * Russia — "You're too mean to be around me. And the Kuril Islands? Mine! Remember we're still technically at war.. I don't trust you at all! However, your population does like my culture and anime."

Past Versions

 *  Tokugawa Shogunate
 * Japanese Empire (enemy) — "I hate you.... I don't want to be you anymore."

United Kingdom
Japan is fascinated about UK's history and culture. They even made a lot of anime that is depicting to British history. They both have a thing for tea and music (from Portugal and Spain). They usually get along since they were trading partners during the medieval period.

Italy
Just like the UK, Japan is also in love with Italian history, cultures, cuisines, arts, sculptures etc. Italy and Japan enjoys a cordial and friendly relationship. The two countries were allied in both World Wars. The two have been shown to have a mutual respect of each others' history and artwork, and seem to be friends. Japan has also created a lot of anime dedicated for Italian fans that is mostly about history.

United States of America
The two had really hard times during WW2, but after the two nuclear bombs, Japan got under USA tutelage. The US apologizes for the nukes on Japan and eventually the two countries are in good relations. The USA really appreciates Japan's pop culture. Although their relations can be controversial, both still maintain close relations.

France
Japan has a strange fascination with France. Japan is very interested in the sophisticated side of her culture (wine, castles) while France loves their pop culture (manga and anime). France is the second country consuming the most of manga after Japan themselves.

Greece
These two countries both share a love for cats, hinting to Greece's stray cat population. They have really good relationships strengthened by the fact they have the common point to be two very old civilizations and so are very interested in each other's culture. Their relation is good in every domain.

South Korea
Japan used to make Korea its colony, committing many war crimes. In modern times, Japan and Korea have become the countries that influence each other the most, but they are not on good terms due to historical reasoning. Japanese shoulders have had Koreans as their slaves, cut off their ears and noses and raped many South Koreans. Because of that, South Korea suffers from trauma and many South Koreans hate japan. Despite that, some Koreans do enjoy going to Japan and travel the beautiful and tech like apartments of Japan.

Thailand
They've had really good diplomatic relations for 130 years, and their first commercial relations started 600 years ago. Their royal families had been linked from a long time ago and Japan is the first foreign investor. They love visiting each other's landscape. Thailand is very inspired by Japan's culture.

China
China and Japan are separated by the East China sea, because of this, Japan has been strongly influenced throughout history by China with its language, architecture, culture, religion, philosophy, and law. The two countries have a long history of political tension that stretches back to China's late feudal period. Currently the two countries have a very strained political relationship due to Japanese atrocities committed by soldiers of Japanese Empire and the | Japanese textbook controversies

Japan–Malaysia relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Japan and Malaysia. The earliest recorded historical relation between the two nations are the trade relations between the Malacca Sultanate and the Ryūkyū Kingdom in the 15th century. Small numbers of Japanese settlers migrated to various parts of present-day Malaysia throughout the 19th century. This continued well into the 20th century, until relations reached an abrupt nadir with the rise of the Empire of Japan and its subsequent invasion and occupation of British Malaya and Borneo during World War II. Relations gradually improved after the war, culminating in Malaysia's "Look East" policy during the first premiership of Mahathir Mohamad in the 1980s.

Indonesia
Indonesia–Japan relations are foreign bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan. Both are two Asian nations which share historical, economic, and political ties. Both nations went through a difficult period in World War II when the then Dutch East Indies was occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army for three-and-a-half years. Japan is a major trading partner for Indonesia. Japan is Indonesia's largest export partner and also a major donor of development aid to Indonesia through Japan International Cooperation Agency. Indonesia is a vital supplier of natural resources such as liquefied natural gas to Japan. Both countries are members of the G20 and APEC. Today in Indonesia, there are about 11,000 Japanese expatriates whereas in Japan, there are approximately 24,000 Indonesian nationals working and training.

Philippines
The Philippines was the first country to experience Japanese Immigration (as early as the 12th century). Many Japanese fled to the Philippines in the 17th century to avoid persecution. This was also one of the reason why the rulers of Japan isolated itself to prevent the people from escaping and eventually lost all contacts between the two countries. When Japan has turned into the Japanese Empire in search of more land. They where happy to see the Philippines until they noticed that Phil was under the American rule and a major ally of the United States. Which made Japan upset and had to take action. After the II World War, the relations between the countries significantly warm through culture, industrial, economic, and military ties and now closer than before.

Trivia

 * Japan is commonly shipped with The United States of America. However you will see people ship them with Portugal and the Netherlands but it’s not as common as Japan being shipped with USA. This ship can be seen as controversial and offensive as these two nation were enemies, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the harsh treatment to Americans they've captured (Prisoners of War)
 * The representation of Japan in Countryhumans is mostly inspired by how the characters act in their pop culture. In reality, people see it more as a country of serious people working all the time.
 * The male version of Japan represents more the serious and shy side of the country.
 * Japan has the World’s Second-Highest Life Expectancy
 * 69% of Japan's land is Covered in Forests.
 * There are a Crazy Amount of Active Volcanoes in Japan
 * There are More than 1,500 Earthquakes a Year in Japan
 * Mount Fuji is a sacred place
 * Japanese have a deep affection to nature
 * Japan is one of the most Pro-American and Pro-Filipino country on the planet
 * In Japanese superstition, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sometimes pronounced as shi (死), which means death