Noun

1. A string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of asia extending 1,300 miles between the sea of japan and the western pacific ocean
2. A constitutional monarchy occupying the japanese archipelago; a world leader in electronics and automobile manufacture and ship building
3. Lacquerware decorated and varnished in the japanese manner with a glossy durable black lacquer
4. Lacquer with a durable glossy black finish, originally from the orient

Verb

1. Coat with a lacquer, as done in japan