Meta programming - Is class an object in Java?

Instance of package1.MyClass is an object that has identity, properties, behavior and holds association(composition/aggregation) with other instances(objects).

Say, package1.MySubClass extends package1.MyClass

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Below code uses Class meta programming abstraction,

Class<?> myClassInstance = Class.forName("package1.MyClass");

that provides information about package1.MyClass class.

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1) Is package1.MyClass an object?

2) If yes, Does package1.MyClass object has it's own identity, properties, behavior and holds generalization information, wrt package1.MySubClass object?

3) Why does Java call meta-programming as Reflection?