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1.
Is in the Pacific Ocean
2.
Has the larger surface area
Japan: 377,975. New Zealand: 268,021 (km2)
3.
Has the largest island
4.
Its capital is not its largest city
5.
Has the higher maximum elevation
Japan (Mount Fuji): 3776m. New Zealand (Mount Cook): 3724m
6.
Has a male as head of state
Japan: Naruhito. New Zealand: King Charles III
7.
Has the higher percentage of Chinese citizens
Japan: 0.7%. New Zealand: 4.7%
8.
Is a major non-NATO U.S. ally
9.
Fought with the allies (Entente Powers) in WWI
10.
Has the higher life expectancy
Japan: 84.7. New Zealand: 82.3
11.
Is located on the Ring of Fire
12.
Has the greater number of snake species
Japan has over 40 snake species; New Zealand has none
13.
Has the lower average annual temperature
Japan: 11.15 °C. New Zealand: 10.55 °C
14.
Has only one official language
15.
Has the higher HDI (Human Development Index)
Japan: 0.925. New Zealand: 0.937