I think you are confusing Java and the tools built on top of Java. I only code with JavaSE and only use 2 external dependencies (original json and dns4j, both

I think you are confusing Java and the tools built on top of Java. I only code with JavaSE and only use 2 external dependencies (original json and dns4j, both minimalist and written by one man each), that said Java probably has the leanest API that has ever existed and potentially that will ever exist.