Macroscope
All countries

Japan

Asia

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Japan, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
124M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Births
709k
births per year, 2024
International migrants, share
2.8
% of population, 2024
Internet users
85.5
% of population, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
48,283
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Electricity demand per person
8,367
kWh per person a year, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 3.62 in 1950 → 1.14 in 2025 (−68%). Thresholds: below 2.1 since 1974, below 1.5 since 1992. The trend broke around 1956: change slowed down (−0.21 → −0.02 a year).
  • Births: 2.46M in 1950 → 709k in 2024 (−71%). The trend broke around 1957 and 1969: −109k → +23.1k → −21.5k a year.
  • Population: 86.4M in 1950 → 124M in 2023 (+44%). The trend broke around 1982 and 2004: +1.05M → +402k → −166k a year.
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 85.5% in 2024 (+86 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 1998, above 50% since 2004. Fastest growth in 1999–2004: 21.4% → 62.4%.
  • Urban share: 63.3% in 1960 → 92.3% in 2025 (+29 pp). Threshold: above 75% since 1974. The trend broke around 1974 and 1993: +0.86 → +0.11 → +0.56 a year.
  • GDP per person (PPP): 36,138 PPP dollars in 1990 → 48,283 PPP dollars in 2025 (+34%).
  • GDP growth: on average 4.3% in the 1980s, 1.4% in the 1990s, 0.5% in the 2000s, 1.3% in the 2010s, 0.4% in the 2020s. Lowest: −5.9% in 2009; highest: 6.7% in 1988.
  • Inflation: on average 2.5% in the 1980s, 1.2% in the 1990s, −0.2% in the 2000s, 0.5% in the 2010s, 1.9% in the 2020s. Lowest: −1.3% in 2009; highest: 7.8% in 1980.
  • Net migration: on average −108k a year in the 1950s, −32.7k a year in the 1960s, −38.3k a year in the 1970s, −121k a year in the 1980s, 104k a year in the 1990s, 93.7k a year in the 2000s, 187k a year in the 2010s, 89.3k a year in the 2020s.
  • Life expectancy, men: 57.6 years in 1950 → 81.7 years in 2023 (+24 years). Thresholds: above 70 years since 1971, above 80 years since 2013. The trend broke around 1956 and 1981: +0.91 → +0.41 → +0.19 a year.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1950–1960: 3.62 → 1.98. Over the same years: births 2.46M → 1.67M; population 86.4M → 96.4M; urban share 63.3% (1960); net migration −25k a year → −150k a year; life expectancy, men 57.6 years → 65.3 years; no data for the others in those years.
  • Over the last 10 years (2015–2025): fertility (TFR) 1.42 → 1.14; births 995k → 709k; population 127M (2015); internet 91.1% → 85.5%; urban share 91.4% → 92.3%; GDP per person (PPP) 44,589 PPP dollars → 48,283 PPP dollars; GDP growth 1.8% → 1.2%; inflation 0.8% → 3.2%; net migration 169k a year (2015); life expectancy, men 80.7 years (2015).

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2024, 35 years): levels are noticeably related, in opposite directions (r = −0.55); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.08).
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2025, 66 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.81); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.09). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2025, 36 years): levels are noticeably related, in opposite directions (r = −0.66); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.08).

Against other countries

  • Fertility (TFR), adjusted for income: countries with the same GDP per person (47,390 PPP dollars) typically have 1.45; here it is 1.20, lower than in 78% of countries at this income (2023, 197 countries).
  • Internet, adjusted for income: countries with the same GDP per person (47,480 PPP dollars) typically have 93.4%; here it is 85.5%, lower than in 78% of countries at this income (2024, 177 countries).
  • Order of events: fertility below 3: 1952; fertility below 2.1: 1957; urban majority: already in 1960; half the population online: 2004. Fertility fell below 3 after the urban share passed 50% in 69% of 111 countries where the order is known; median gap 9 years. Fertility fell below 2.1 before half the population went online in 88% of 112 countries where the order is known.

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 12 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in none; median gap −20%.
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 1.35 (+18% vs 2025), 2100 — 1.47 (+29% vs 2025); low variant for 2100: 0.97.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 9 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 2; median gap −9.6%.
  • The UN 2015 projection did not expect today's level (709k, 2024) before its horizon ended (2100).
  • National statistics for 2024: 709k, 6% below the UN 2024 medium variant (751k).
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 728k (+3% vs 2024), 2100 — 558k (−21% vs 2024); low variant for 2100: 208k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 4 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 8; median gap +0.3%.
  • The UN 2006 projection expected this level (124M) already around 2020: reality is 3 years behind it.
  • The UN 2019 projection expected today's level (124M, 2023) only by 2025: reality is at least 2 years ahead of it.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 105M (−15% vs 2023), 2100 — 76.8M (−38% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 53.4M.
  • Why the UN missed the population. The 1998 projection for 2023: 122M; the UN's 2024 estimate: 124M (+1.7%). Parts of the gap (plus means more people than projected): the starting population +201k, births −4.02M, deaths +2.65M (fewer deaths than expected), migration +3.29M; the largest: births.
  • Why the UN missed the population. The 2010 projection for 2023: 124M; the UN's 2024 estimate: 124M (+0.6%). Parts of the gap (plus means more people than projected): the starting population +1.65M, births −1.31M, deaths −925k (more deaths than expected), migration +1.37M; the largest: the starting population.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0.9 pp below the forecast; below it in 61% of cases; typical error ±1.7 pp. The biggest miss was for 2009: IMF, April 2008 expected 1.5%, the outcome was −5.9%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 0.7%, 2028 — 0.6%, 2031 — 0.6%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0 pp below the forecast; below it in 53% of cases; typical error ±0.8 pp. The biggest miss was for 2009: IMF, April 2008 expected 1.3%, the outcome was −1.3%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 2.2%, 2028 — 2%, 2031 — 2%.
  • Net migration: past UN projections. The outcome was above the projection in 12 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and below in none; median difference +42.1k a year. The biggest miss: the 1998 revision expected 0 a year for 2020–2025; the outcome was 96k a year (for the years of the period so far).
  • Net migration: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2030 — 124k a year, 2050 — 119k a year, 2100 — 73.7k a year.
  • Life expectancy, men: past UN projections. The outcome was above the projection in 8 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and below in 4; median difference +0.2 years. The biggest miss: the 1998 revision expected 78.8 years for 2020–2025; the outcome was 81.5 years (for the years of the period so far).
  • Life expectancy, men: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2030 — 82.7 years, 2050 — 85.4 years, 2100 — 91.4 years.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates; births and fertility from national statistics from the last year they matched the UN estimate (the UN's figures for the latest years are partly its own projection). Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Japan: PopulationActual 2023: 124M115M120M125M130M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years122M124M+1.7%
UN 2000202323 years125M124M−0.3%
UN 2002202321 years124M124M0%
UN 2004202319 years126M124M−1%
UN 2006202317 years123M124M+1.3%
UN 2008202315 years122M124M+1.9%
UN 2010202313 years124M124M+0.6%
UN 2012202311 years124M124M+0.2%
UN 201520238 years124M124M+0.5%
UN 201720236 years125M124M−0.7%
UN 201920234 years125M124M−0.6%
UN 202220231 year123M124M+0.9%

Births

births per year
Japan: BirthsActual 2024: 709k600k800k1M1.2M1.4M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years1.08M920k−14.8%
UN 20002015–202018 years986k920k−6.7%
UN 20022015–202016 years966k920k−4.8%
UN 20042015–202014 years1.03M920k−10.5%
UN 20062015–202012 years881k920k+4.4%
UN 20082015–202010 years874k920k+5.3%
UN 20102015–20208 years1.03M920k−10.3%
UN 20122015–20206 years1.02M920k−9.6%
UN 20152015–20202 years1.02M920k−9.5%
UN 20172015–20200 years1.03M920k−10.5%
UN 202220242 years816k709k−13.1%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Japan: Total fertility rateActual 2025: 1.1411.21.41.61.819902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–202524 years1.731.22−29.5%
UN 20002020–202522 years1.531.22−20.1%
UN 20022020–202520 years1.491.22−18.1%
UN 20042020–202518 years1.581.22−22.8%
UN 20062020–202516 years1.351.22−9.3%
UN 20082020–202514 years1.351.22−9.3%
UN 20102020–202512 years1.581.22−22.9%
UN 20122020–202510 years1.541.22−20.6%
UN 20152020–20258 years1.521.22−19.7%
UN 20172020–20256 years1.541.22−20.5%
UN 20192020–20254 years1.371.22−10.7%
UN 202220253 years1.331.14−14.3%

Deaths

thousand deaths per year
Japan: DeathsActual 2023: 1,5248001,0001,2001,4001,6001,80019902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years1,5151,390−8.2%
UN 20002015–202018 years1,3531,390+2.8%
UN 20022015–202016 years1,3421,390+3.6%
UN 20042015–202014 years1,3381,390+3.9%
UN 20062015–202012 years1,3591,390+2.3%
UN 20082015–202010 years1,3531,390+2.8%
UN 20102015–20208 years1,3331,390+4.3%
UN 20122015–20206 years1,3541,390+2.7%
UN 20152015–20202 years1,3731,390+1.3%
UN 20172015–20200 years1,3741,390+1.2%
UN 202220231 year1,5751,524−3.2%

Infant mortality

deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births
Japan: Infant mortalityActual 2023: 1.61234519902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years4.11.9−54.4%
UN 20002015–202018 years3.11.9−38.6%
UN 20022015–202016 years31.9−37%
UN 20042015–202014 years31.9−36.6%
UN 20062015–202012 years31.9−37.2%
UN 20082015–202010 years31.9−37.7%
UN 20102015–20208 years2.51.9−24.2%
UN 20122015–20206 years1.91.9−1.8%
UN 20152015–20202 years1.91.9+0.4%
UN 20172015–20200 years1.91.9−0.6%
UN 202220231 year1.61.6+0.5%

Net migration

persons per year
Japan: Net migrationActual 2023: 175k−100k0100k200k300k400k19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–2025*24 years096k+96k a year
UN 20002020–2025*22 years53.9k96k+42k a year
UN 20022020–2025*20 years53.9k96k+42k a year
UN 20042020–2025*18 years54k96k+42k a year
UN 20062020–2025*16 years54k96k+42k a year
UN 20082020–2025*14 years54k96k+42k a year
UN 20102020–2025*12 years54k96k+42k a year
UN 20122020–2025*10 years50k96k+46k a year
UN 20152020–2025*8 years50k96k+46k a year
UN 20172020–2025*6 years50k96k+46k a year
UN 20192020–2025*4 years64.6k96k+31k a year
UN 202220231 year100k175k+75k a year

Life expectancy at birth, women

years
Japan: Life expectancy at birth, womenActual 2023: 87.78085909519902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–2025*24 years84.987.5+2.6 yrs
UN 20002020–2025*22 years89.187.5−1.6 yrs
UN 20022020–2025*20 years89.487.5−1.9 yrs
UN 20042020–2025*18 years89.287.5−1.7 yrs
UN 20062020–2025*16 years88.487.5−0.9 yrs
UN 20082020–2025*14 years88.487.5−0.9 yrs
UN 20102020–2025*12 years88.487.5−0.9 yrs
UN 20122020–2025*10 years88.487.5−0.9 yrs
UN 20152020–2025*8 years8887.5−0.5 yrs
UN 20172020–2025*6 years87.987.5−0.4 yrs
UN 20192020–2025*4 years88.187.5−0.6 yrs
UN 202220231 year8887.7−0.3 yrs

Life expectancy at birth, men

years
Japan: Life expectancy at birth, menActual 2023: 81.774767880828419902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–2025*24 years78.881.5+2.6 yrs
UN 20002020–2025*22 years80.781.5+0.8 yrs
UN 20022020–2025*20 years80.881.5+0.6 yrs
UN 20042020–2025*18 years81.381.5+0.2 yrs
UN 20062020–2025*16 years8181.5+0.5 yrs
UN 20082020–2025*14 years81.281.5+0.2 yrs
UN 20102020–2025*12 years81.481.5+0.1 yrs
UN 20122020–2025*10 years81.681.5−0.1 yrs
UN 20152020–2025*8 years81.581.5−0.1 yrs
UN 20172020–2025*6 years81.481.50 yrs
UN 20192020–2025*4 years81.981.5−0.5 yrs
UN 202220231 year81.981.7−0.2 yrs

* The five-year period is not over: the projection is compared with the mean of its years so far (UN facts end in 2023).

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Japan: Real GDP growthActual 2025: 1.2−10−5052000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth36−0.9 pp1.7 pp61%
Inflation360 pp0.8 pp53%
Unemployment rate36−0.2 pp0.4 pp61%
Government gross debt27−37.2 pp37.2 pp100%
Government budget balance28+0.2 pp1.6 pp29%

All indicators

Demography

Population

124M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Japan: Population1950: 86.4M; 2023: 124M050M100M150M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Births

709k births per year latest value, 2024

Japan: Births1950: 2.46M; 2024: 709k0500k1M1.5M2M2.5M19501975200020252050

Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).

Source: MHLW: births in Japan incl. foreigners

Deaths

1,524 thousand deaths per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Deaths1950: 943; 2023: 1,52405001,0001,5002,00019501975200020252050

Deaths per calendar year (UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024); past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Natural change

−774.5 thousand persons per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Natural change1950: 1,518.5; 2023: −774.505001,0001,5002,00019501975200020252050

Births minus deaths in the year (UN). Negative: natural decrease, more deaths than births.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Rate of natural change

−6.2 per 1,000 population per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Rate of natural change1950: 17.6; 2023: −6.20510152019501975200020252050

Births minus deaths in the year per 1,000 people (UN). With the net migration rate it makes up population growth.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at 65

22.5 years latest value, 2023

Japan: Life expectancy at 651950: 12.1; 2023: 22.5010203019501975200020252050

Years a person aged 65 would still live at the mortality rates of the year; both sexes (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Infant mortality

1.6 deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births latest value, 2023

Japan: Infant mortality1950: 56; 2023: 1.6020406019501975200020252050

Children per 1,000 live births who die before their first birthday (UN); past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, women

87.7 years latest value, 2023

Japan: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 60.9; 2023: 87.702040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

81.7 years latest value, 2023

Japan: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 57.6; 2023: 81.702040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

49 years latest value, 2023

Japan: Median age1950: 21.3; 2023: 49020406019501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

31.9 years latest value, 2023

Japan: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 29.6; 2023: 31.901020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

105.1 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Japan: Sex ratio at birth1950: 105.9; 2023: 105.105010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Fertility: first births

0.57 first children per woman latest value, 2023

Japan: Fertility: first births1968: 0.97; 2023: 0.5700.20.40.60.81197019801990200020102020

First children a woman would have at the age-specific rates of first births of the year (at most one). With second and later births it adds up to the total fertility rate. Human Fertility Database (July 2025 release, Our World in Data copy).

Source: Human Fertility Database, period fertility by birth order (July 2025 release, Our World in Data copy)

Mean age at first birth

30.8 years latest value, 2024

Japan: Mean age at first birth1968: 25.9; 2024: 30.8010203040197019801990200020102020

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their first child (adjusted for the age structure of women). Human Fertility Database, summary indicators.

Source: Human Fertility Database, summary indicators (HFDLite)

Completed cohort fertility

1.48 children per woman; year = birth year of women latest value, 1980

Japan: Completed cohort fertility1935: 2.05; 1980: 1.4800.511.521950195519601965197019751980

Children per woman born in a given year by the end of childbearing (observed to age 44 or more). The year is the birth year of the women, not a calendar year. Human Fertility Database.

Source: Human Fertility Database, summary indicators (HFDLite)

Childlessness by cohort

27.6 % of women; year = birth year of women latest value, 1980

Japan: Childlessness by cohort1953: 11.2; 1980: 27.60102030195519601965197019751980

Share of women born in a given year who had no live births (observed to age 44 or more). The year is the birth year of the women. Human Fertility Database, which advises caution with cohort parity distributions.

Source: Human Fertility Database, summary indicators (HFDLite)

First child by age 26

12.3 % of women; year = birth year of women latest value, 1997

Japan: First child by age 261953: 49.5; 1997: 12.3010203040501960197019801990

Share of women born in a given year who had a first child by the end of the year they turned 26 (26.5 on average): cumulative first births per woman × 100, from birth registers. The year is the birth year of the women; only cohorts already past that age, no projection. Human Fertility Database (ccfrVHbo).

Source: Human Fertility Database, cumulative cohort fertility by age and birth order (ccfrVHbo, OWID download of 22 October 2025)

First child by age 30

33.5 % of women; year = birth year of women latest value, 1993

Japan: First child by age 301953: 77.6; 1993: 33.50204060801960197019801990

Share of women born in a given year who had a first child by the end of the year they turned 30 (30.5 on average), from birth registers. The year is the birth year of the women; only cohorts already past that age. Human Fertility Database (ccfrVHbo).

Source: Human Fertility Database, cumulative cohort fertility by age and birth order (ccfrVHbo, OWID download of 22 October 2025)

Excess deaths

6.5 % above the 2015-2019 trend latest value, 2023

Japan: Excess deaths2020: −2.4; 2023: 6.5024682020

How many percent more deaths (minus: fewer) the year had than the straight line through 2015-2019 of the same country. Macroscope's calculation from the Human Mortality Database: weekly deaths (Short-Term Mortality Fluctuations, ISO years scaled to 52.18 weeks), annual deaths where those are missing; no ageing adjustment beyond the trend, so the further from 2019, the rougher the estimate.

Source: Human Mortality Database, deaths by age (September 2025 release, Our World in Data copy); excess deaths: Macroscope's calculation

Births: long series

727.3 thousand births per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Births: long series1873: 841.6; 2023: 727.305001,0001,5002,0002,50019501960197019801990200020102020

Live births per year from the Human Mortality Database, from the first year it publishes (Sweden 1749, France 1806, Denmark 1835), within the borders of the time. United Kingdom from 1922; Germany before 1990 = East plus West. Where it overlaps the UN series (from 1950) it usually differs by less than 1%.

Source: Human Mortality Database, live births (September 2025 release, Our World in Data copy)

Crude birth rate: long series

6 births per 1,000 people a year latest value, 2023

Japan: Crude birth rate: long series1947: 35.1; 2023: 6010203019501960197019801990200020102020

Live births per 1,000 people. Macroscope's calculation from the Human Mortality Database: births divided by the mean of the populations on 1 January of the year and of the next. Starts when HMD publishes the population (Sweden 1751, France 1816). In years of border changes the divisor mixes the old and new territory.

Source: Human Mortality Database: births per 1,000 people, Macroscope's calculation (births: September 2025 release, Our World in Data copy; population: mean of 1 January of the year and the next, HMD summary tables)

Total fertility rate (HFD)

1.14 children per woman latest value, 2024

Japan: Total fertility rate (HFD)1947: 4.61; 2024: 1.140123419501960197019801990200020102020

Children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year. Human Fertility Database: official summary tables from 1960; earlier years from the Our World in Data copy of the same database (Sweden 1891, Denmark 1916, USA 1933, France 1946). May differ slightly from the UN estimate.

Source: Human Fertility Database, summary indicators (HFDLite)

Crude marriage rate

3.97 marriages per 1,000 people latest value, 2025

Japan: Crude marriage rate1950: 8.27; 2025: 3.9705101519501960197019801990200020102020

Marriages in the year per 1,000 people: marriages from national offices (Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, the USA, the UK, Russia, Brazil and others, where they publish more than the international databases), Eurostat and the UN, divided by the UN WPP 2024 population. Where most births are within marriage, marriages come before births.

Source: Japan MHLW, Vital Statistics

Marriages

489k marriages a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Marriages1950: 715k; 2025: 489k0500k1M1.5M19501960197019801990200020102020

Marriages in the year (couples). National offices (Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, the USA, the UK, Russia, Brazil and others), Eurostat for Europe, the UN for the rest; by year of registration or of occurrence, as each country counts.

Source: Japan MHLW, Vital Statistics

Adolescent fertility rate

1.6 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 latest value, 2024

Japan: Adolescent fertility rate1960: 4.4; 2024: 1.6024681960197019801990200020102020

Births to women aged 15-19 per 1,000 women of that age (World Bank, from UN World Population Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Old-age dependency

53.4 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Japan: Old-age dependency1950: 9.9; 2020: 53.402040608019501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Children under 15

14,488 thousand persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Japan: Children under 151950: 30,448; 2023: 14,488010,00020,00030,00040,00019501975200020252050

Children aged 0-14 on 1 July: the sum of the five-year groups 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 (UN; estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Children under 5

4,142 thousand persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Japan: Children under 51950: 11,947; 2023: 4,14205,00010,00015,00019501975200020252050

Children aged 0-4 on 1 July (UN; estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

People aged 65 and over

36,766 thousand persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Japan: People aged 65 and over1950: 4,234; 2023: 36,766010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00019501975200020252050

People aged 65 and over on 1 July: the sum of the five-year groups from 65-69 to 100+ (UN; estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

People aged 80 and over

12,836 thousand persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Japan: People aged 80 and over1950: 389; 2023: 12,83605,00010,00015,00020,00019501975200020252050

People aged 80 and over on 1 July: the sum of the five-year groups from 80-84 to 100+ (UN; estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Migration

Net migration

175k persons per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Net migration1950: −25k; 2023: 175k−400k−200k0200k400k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection). Past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration rate

1.41 per 1,000 population per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Net migration rate1950: −0.29; 2023: 1.41−3−113519501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year per 1,000 people: UN net migration divided by the population on 1 July. Comparable across countries of any size.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Personal remittances received

0.1 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Personal remittances received1977: 0; 2025: 0.100.10.10.219801990200020102020

Money sent home by people working or living abroad, percent of the receiving country's GDP (World Bank, from IMF balance of payments data).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

International migrants, share

2.8 % of population latest value, 2024

Japan: International migrants, share1990: 0.9; 2024: 2.801231990199520002005201020152020

People born in another country (foreign citizens where birthplace is not recorded) as a share of the population at mid-year (UN, every five years and 2024).

Source: UN DESA, International Migrant Stock 2024

International migrant stock

3.41M persons latest value, 2024

Japan: International migrant stock1990: 1.05M; 2024: 3.41M01M2M3M4M1990199520002005201020152020

Number of people born in another country (or foreign citizens) living in the country at mid-year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, International Migrant Stock 2024

Emigrants, share

0.8 % of home population latest value, 2024

Japan: Emigrants, share1990: 0.6; 2024: 0.800.20.40.60.811990199520002005201020152020

People from the country (born there or its citizens) living in other countries, as a percentage of the population living in the country (UN, International Migrant Stock 2024).

Source: UN DESA, International Migrant Stock 2024

Emigrant stock

1.01M persons latest value, 2024

Japan: Emigrant stock1990: 711k; 2024: 1.01M0500k1M1.5M1990199520002005201020152020

Number of people from the country (born there or its citizens) living in other countries at mid-year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, International Migrant Stock 2024

Refugees hosted

42.5k persons, end of year latest value, 2025

Japan: Refugees hosted1977: 0.6k; 2025: 42.5k010k20k30k40k50k19801990200020102020

Refugees under UNHCR's mandate (incl. people in refugee-like situations) and other people in need of international protection living in the country; asylum-seekers and internally displaced people are not included.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

Refugees hosted per 1,000 people

0.3 per 1,000 population latest value, 2025

Japan: Refugees hosted per 1,000 people1977: 0; 2025: 0.300.10.20.30.419801990200020102020

Refugees under UNHCR's mandate and other people in need of international protection living in the country, per 1,000 people (population: UN WPP 2024).

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

Refugees from the country

0.06k persons, end of year latest value, 2025

Japan: Refugees from the country1994: 0.01k; 2025: 0.06k00.2k0.4k0.6k1995200020052010201520202025

Refugees and other people in need of international protection from the country living abroad (UNHCR). Palestine refugees under UNRWA's mandate are not included, so the figure for Palestine is far too low.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

Refugees from the country per 1,000 people

0 per 1,000 population of the country latest value, 2025

Japan: Refugees from the country per 1,000 people1994: 0; 2025: 00000001995200020052010201520202025

Refugees and other people in need of international protection from the country per 1,000 people living in it (UNHCR; population: UN WPP 2024). UNRWA refugees not included.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

Citizens under temporary protection in Europe

0 thousand persons, end of year latest value, 2026

Japan: Citizens under temporary protection in Europe2022: 0; 2026: 000000020202025

Citizens of the country under temporary protection in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (all 31 report from 2022), end of December. For the running year: the latest month all have published. Granted from March 2022 to people fleeing the war in Ukraine: almost all are Ukrainians; for other countries, their citizens who lived in Ukraine. Eurostat, migr_asytpsm.

Source: Eurostat, beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of June 2026 (latest month published; the year is not over)

Asylum applications worldwide

0.09 new applications per 1,000 people latest value, 2025

Japan: Asylum applications worldwide2000: 0; 2025: 0.0900.050.10.150.2200020052010201520202025

New asylum applications lodged in the country in the year per 1,000 people (UNHCR; cases where a country counts cases rather than people; population: UN WPP 2024). All countries; for Europe there is also Eurostat's series of first-time applicants.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

Inflows of foreign nationals (OECD)

5 per 1,000 people a year latest value, 2023

Japan: Inflows of foreign nationals (OECD)2000: 2.7; 2023: 501234520002005201020152020

Foreign nationals arriving in the year for permanent or long stays per 1,000 people: OECD International Migration Database (B11, national definitions: new permanent residents in the USA, registrations in Japan and Korea). OECD countries outside Europe.

Source: OECD International Migration Database: inflows of foreign population

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

48,283 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Japan: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 36,138; 2025: 48,283010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

1.2 % per year latest value, 2025

Japan: Real GDP growth1980: 3.2; 2025: 1.2−10−5051019801990200020102020

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

3.2 % per year, average latest value, 2025

Japan: Inflation1980: 7.8; 2025: 3.2−20246819801990200020102020

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

214.5 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Government gross debt1980: 41.4; 2024: 214.505010015020025019801990200020102020

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment rate

2.5 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Japan: Unemployment rate1980: 2; 2025: 2.5024619801990200020102020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force (IMF WEO; national definitions).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment, ILO estimate

2.5 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Japan: Unemployment, ILO estimate1991: 2.1; 2025: 2.502461995200020052010201520202025

Unemployed as a share of the labour force by the ILO's single definition: a modelled estimate for every country, including those without surveys (via the World Bank). Unlike the IMF series, one definition for all, but no projections.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Youth unemployment, 15-24

3.9 % of labour force aged 15-24 latest value, 2025

Japan: Youth unemployment, 15-241991: 4.5; 2025: 3.90510151995200020052010201520202025

Unemployed as a share of the labour force aged 15-24 (ILO modelled estimate, via the World Bank).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

GDP per capita, US dollars

35,973 current US dollars latest value, 2025

Japan: GDP per capita, US dollars1980: 9,893; 2025: 35,973010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00019801990200020102020

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government budget balance

−1.7 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Government budget balance1980: −4.3; 2024: −1.7−10−50519801990200020102020

General government net lending (+, surplus) or borrowing (−, deficit), percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Current account balance

4.8 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Current account balance1980: −0.9; 2025: 4.8−2024619801990200020102020

Balance of trade in goods and services, income and transfers with the rest of the world, percent of GDP: plus means the country earns abroad more than it spends (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Real house prices

122.6 index, 2010 = 100 latest value, 2025

Japan: Real house prices1955: 13.4; 2025: 122.60501001502001960197019801990200020102020

House prices adjusted for consumer price inflation (BIS index from national sources, 2010 = 100, mean of four quarters). Compare the changes, not the levels of different countries.

Source: BIS, selected residential property prices

Society

Urban population

92.3 % of population latest value, 2025

Japan: Urban population1960: 63.3; 2025: 92.30204060801001960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

63.6 % gross latest value, 2023

Japan: Tertiary enrolment, women2013: 59.7; 2023: 63.602040608020152020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

84.4 % of women 25+ latest value, 2020

Japan: Women with upper secondary education1970: 35.6; 2020: 84.4020406080100197019801990200020102020

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Female labour force participation

55.9 % of women 15+ latest value, 2025

Japan: Female labour force participation1990: 50.1; 2025: 55.9020406019901995200020052010201520202025

Share of women aged 15+ who work or look for work (ILO modelled estimate, via the World Bank).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

84 years latest value, 2024

Japan: Life expectancy at birth1960: 67.7; 2024: 840204060801001960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Digitalisation

Internet users

85.5 % of population latest value, 2024

Japan: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 85.50204060801001990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

178.4 per 100 people latest value, 2023

Japan: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2023: 178.40501001502001960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

38.6 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2023

Japan: Fixed broadband subscriptions1998: 0; 2023: 38.601020304020002005201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Google: search referral share

79.63 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: Google: search referral share2009: 76; 2025: 79.630204060802010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

bing: search referral share

9.11 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: bing: search referral share2009: 1.16; 2025: 9.1102468102010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

Yahoo!: search referral share

9.39 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: Yahoo!: search referral share2009: 21.96; 2025: 9.390102030402010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

YANDEX: search referral share

0.55 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: YANDEX: search referral share2009: 0; 2025: 0.5500.20.40.62010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

Baidu: search referral share

0.19 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: Baidu: search referral share2009: 0.15; 2025: 0.1900.10.20.30.40.52010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

DuckDuckGo: search referral share

0.57 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: DuckDuckGo: search referral share2009: 0; 2025: 0.5700.20.40.62010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

YANDEX RU: search referral share

0 % of search referrals latest value, 2025

Japan: YANDEX RU: search referral share2009: 0.01; 2025: 000.010.020.030.040.052010201520202025

Share of detected search-engine referrals to Statcounter network websites, all device types. Provider annual aggregate, not an average of monthly shares. Not a share of people, queries or time; zero-click searches are unobserved. Selected countries only; differently named provider columns remain separate.

Source: Statcounter GlobalStats: referral shares

Energy

Electricity demand per person

8,367 kWh per person a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Electricity demand per person1985: 5,561; 2025: 8,36702,0004,0006,0008,00010,0001990200020102020

Electricity demand (generation plus net imports, Ember) divided by the UN WPP 2024 population. A physical measure that is hard to dress up.

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Electricity demand growth

1.3 % per year latest value, 2025

Japan: Electricity demand growth1986: 0.7; 2025: 1.3−10−50510151990200020102020

Change in electricity demand from the previous year (Ember). Useful to set against official GDP growth.

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Wind and solar share of electricity

11.1 % of generation latest value, 2025

Japan: Wind and solar share of electricity1985: 0; 2025: 11.10510151990200020102020

Share of wind and solar power in electricity generation (Ember).

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Low-carbon share of electricity

32.7 % of generation latest value, 2025

Japan: Low-carbon share of electricity1985: 38; 2025: 32.7010203040501990200020102020

Share of renewables and nuclear power in electricity generation (Ember).

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Coal share of electricity

32.1 % of generation latest value, 2025

Japan: Coal share of electricity1985: 15; 2025: 32.10102030401990200020102020

Share of coal power in electricity generation (Ember).

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Carbon intensity of electricity

477 g CO2e per kWh latest value, 2025

Japan: Carbon intensity of electricity1985: 421; 2025: 47702004006001990200020102020

Greenhouse gas emissions of electricity generation per kilowatt-hour (Ember).

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Electricity generation

1,030 TWh per year latest value, 2025

Japan: Electricity generation1985: 672; 2025: 1,03005001,0001,5001990200020102020

Total electricity generation in the country (Ember). Imports are excluded. A volume, not the share of a fuel.

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Electricity generation emissions

491.7 Mt CO2e per year latest value, 2025

Japan: Electricity generation emissions1985: 282.7; 2025: 491.702004006008001990200020102020

Greenhouse gas emissions of electricity generation (Ember), not of the whole economy.

Source: Ember, Yearly Electricity Data

Security

Military expenditure

1.4 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Military expenditure1960: 1.1; 2024: 1.400.511.51960197019801990200020102020

Government military expenditure, percent of GDP (World Bank, from SIPRI).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Deaths in organised violence

0 persons a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Deaths in organised violence1989: 0; 2025: 0011990200020102020

Deaths in state-based conflict, non-state conflict and one-sided violence against civilians, by where the events took place (UCDP GED, best estimate). 0 means no organised violence above UCDP thresholds (25 deaths a year in one conflict). Events in Gaza and the West Bank are counted for Palestine.

Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), GED 26.1

Deaths in organised violence per 100,000

0 per 100,000 people a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Deaths in organised violence per 100,0001989: 0; 2025: 0011990200020102020

Deaths in organised violence (UCDP GED) per 100,000 people (population: UN WPP 2024).

Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), GED 26.1

Armed conflict in the country

0 0 none, 1 minor, 2 war latest value, 2025

Japan: Armed conflict in the country1946: 0; 2025: 00119501960197019801990200020102020

Strongest armed conflict of the year in which the government or territory of the country is disputed (UCDP/PRIO ACD): 1 = 25-999 battle-related deaths, 2 = war, 1,000 or more. In interstate conflicts every primary party is marked even if the fighting was elsewhere (the USA in Iraq, 2003). Historical states are mapped to present-day countries by territory (USSR, Yugoslavia, South Vietnam and others).

Source: UCDP/PRIO Armed Conflict Dataset 26.1

Battle deaths

0 persons a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Battle deaths1946: 0; 2025: 00119501960197019801990200020102020

Soldiers and civilians killed in combat in state-based armed conflicts on the territory of the country. 1946-1988: PRIO Battle Deaths (best estimate, else the low one; a conflict of several countries split equally); from 1989: UCDP GED by place of the events. For the same conflicts in 1989-2008 PRIO is 1.6 times UCDP, so the drop in 1989 is partly a change of source. One-sided violence against civilians is not included.

Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), GED 26.1

Battle deaths per 100,000

0 per 100,000 people a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Battle deaths per 100,0001950: 0; 2025: 00119501960197019801990200020102020

Battle deaths on the territory of the country (PRIO to 1988, UCDP GED from 1989) per 100,000 people (population: UN WPP 2024), from 1950.

Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), GED 26.1

Intentional homicides (per 100,000 people)

0.2 per 100,000 people latest value, 2023

Japan: Intentional homicides (per 100,000 people)1990: 0.5; 2023: 0.200.20.40.60.81990199520002005201020152020

An intentional homicide is defined as an unlawful death inflicted upon a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury.

Source: Intentional homicides (per 100,000 people)

Purchases and money

Average dietary energy requirement

2,429 kcal/cap/d latest value, 2025

Japan: Average dietary energy requirement2000: 2,443; 2025: 2,42905001,0001,5002,0002,500200020052010201520202025

FAOSTAT FS, Average dietary energy requirement (kcal/cap/day). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Commercial bank branches (per 100,000 adults)

33.7 per 100,000 adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Commercial bank branches (per 100,000 adults)2004: 34.6; 2024: 33.70102030402005201020152020

Commercial bank branches are retail locations of resident commercial banks and other resident banks that function as commercial banks that provide financial services to customers and are physically separated from the main office but not organized as legally separated subsidiaries.

Source: Commercial bank branches (per 100,000 adults)

Variation in habitual caloric consumption distribution

0.17 No latest value, 2024

Japan: Variation in habitual caloric consumption distribution2001: 0.17; 2024: 0.1700.050.10.150.22005201020152020

FAOSTAT FS, Coefficient of variation of habitual caloric consumption distribution (real number). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider (% of population ages 15+)

98.5 % of people aged 15+ latest value, 2024

Japan: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider (% of population ages 15+)2011: 96.4; 2024: 98.502040608010020152020

Account denotes the percentage of respondents who report having an account (by themselves or together with someone else) at a bank or another type of financial institution or report personally using a mobile money service in the past 12 months (% age 15+).

Source: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider (% of population ages 15+)

Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, male (% of population ages 15+)

98.3 % of men aged 15+ latest value, 2024

Japan: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, male (% of population ages 15+)2011: 96; 2024: 98.302040608010020152020

Account denotes the percentage of respondents who report having an account (by themselves or together with someone else) at a bank or another type of financial institution or report personally using a mobile money service in the past 12 months (male, % age 15+).

Source: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, male (% of population ages 15+)

Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, female (% of population ages 15+)

98.7 % of women aged 15+ latest value, 2024

Japan: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, female (% of population ages 15+)2011: 96.8; 2024: 98.702040608010020152020

Account denotes the percentage of respondents who report having an account (by themselves or together with someone else) at a bank or another type of financial institution or report personally using a mobile money service in the past 12 months (female, % age 15+).

Source: Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, female (% of population ages 15+)

Healthy-diet animal-source food cost

1.02 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet animal-source food cost2021: 1.02; 2021: 1.0200.511.520152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of animal source foods. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Cost of a healthy diet

8.27 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2025

Japan: Cost of a healthy diet2017: 5.48; 2025: 8.27024681020202025

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of a healthy diet (CoHD). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Healthy-diet fruit cost

1.3 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet fruit cost2021: 1.3; 2021: 1.300.511.520152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of fruits. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Healthy-diet legumes and nuts cost

0.53 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet legumes and nuts cost2021: 0.53; 2021: 0.5300.20.40.620152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of legumes, nuts and seeds. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Healthy-diet oils and fats cost

0.1 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet oils and fats cost2021: 0.1; 2021: 0.100.020.040.060.080.10.1220152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of oils and fats. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Healthy-diet starchy-staple cost

1.47 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet starchy-staple cost2021: 1.47; 2021: 1.4700.511.520152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of starchy staples. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Unable to afford a healthy diet

13.2 % latest value, 2025

Japan: Unable to afford a healthy diet2017: 13.7; 2025: 13.20510152020202025

FAOSTAT CAHD, Prevalence of unaffordability (PUA). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

People unable to afford a healthy diet

16.2 million No latest value, 2025

Japan: People unable to afford a healthy diet2017: 17.4; 2025: 16.2051015202520202025

FAOSTAT CAHD, Number of people unable to afford a healthy diet (NUA). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Healthy-diet vegetable cost

1.57 Int$ (PPP) per person per day latest value, 2021

Japan: Healthy-diet vegetable cost2021: 1.57; 2021: 1.5700.511.5220152020

FAOSTAT CAHD, Cost of vegetables. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Households and NPISHs final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)

53.1 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Households and NPISHs final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)1970: 44.6; 2024: 53.10204060197019801990200020102020

This field includes expenditure on goods and services by the Household and NPISH sector for the direct satisfaction of human needs or wants, whether individual or collective. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.

Source: Households and NPISHs final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)

Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure per capita (constant 2015 US$)

19,750.8 constant 2015 US dollars latest value, 2024

Japan: Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure per capita (constant 2015 US$)1970: 7,770.6; 2024: 19,750.805,00010,00015,00020,000197019801990200020102020

This field includes expenditure on goods and services by the Household and NPISH sector for the direct satisfaction of human needs or wants, whether individual or collective. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate.This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment is 2015. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.

Source: Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure per capita (constant 2015 US$)

Income share held by lowest 20%

6.8 % of income or consumption latest value, 2020

Japan: Income share held by lowest 20%2008: 6.2; 2020: 6.802468201020152020

Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.

Source: Income share held by lowest 20%

Gini index

32.3 index, 0-100 latest value, 2020

Japan: Gini index2008: 34.6; 2020: 32.3010203040201020152020

Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.

Source: Gini index

Income share held by highest 20%

39.4 % of income or consumption latest value, 2020

Japan: Income share held by highest 20%2008: 41.1; 2020: 39.401020304050201020152020

Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.

Source: Income share held by highest 20%

Minimum dietary energy requirement

1,872 kcal/cap/d latest value, 2025

Japan: Minimum dietary energy requirement2000: 1,884; 2025: 1,87205001,0001,5002,000200020052010201520202025

FAOSTAT FS, Minimum dietary energy requirement (kcal/cap/day). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Adjusted savings: net national savings (% of GNI)

1.9 % of gross national income latest value, 2021

Japan: Adjusted savings: net national savings (% of GNI)1996: 11.4; 2021: 1.905101520002005201020152020

Net national savings are equal to gross national savings less the value of consumption of fixed capital. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) which is the total income earned by all residents within an economic territory during an accounting period. It is equal to gross domestic product plus earned income receivable from abroad minus earned income payable abroad.

Source: Adjusted savings: net national savings (% of GNI)

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)

1.2 % of population, 2021 PPP latest value, 2020

Japan: Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)2008: 1.1; 2020: 1.200.511.5201020152020

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Source: Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)

Caloric losses at retail distribution

2.15 % latest value, 2025

Japan: Caloric losses at retail distribution2000: 2.28; 2025: 2.1500.511.522.5200020052010201520202025

FAOSTAT FS, Incidence of caloric losses at retail distribution level (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Health

Total alcohol consumption per capita (liters of pure alcohol, projected estimates, 15+ years of age)

6.4 litres per person aged 15+ latest value, 2020

Japan: Total alcohol consumption per capita (liters of pure alcohol, projected estimates, 15+ years of age)2000: 7.7; 2020: 6.40246820002005201020152020

Total alcohol per capita consumption is defined as the total (sum of recorded and unrecorded alcohol) amount of alcohol consumed per person (15 years of age or older) over a calendar year, in litres of pure alcohol, adjusted for tourist consumption.

Source: Total alcohol consumption per capita (liters of pure alcohol, projected estimates, 15+ years of age)

Anaemia among women aged 15–49

18.7 % latest value, 2023

Japan: Anaemia among women aged 15–492000: 20.5; 2023: 18.7051015202520002005201020152020

FAOSTAT FS, Prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Overweight among children under 5

2 % latest value, 2024

Japan: Overweight among children under 52000: 1.6; 2024: 200.511.522.520002005201020152020

FAOSTAT FS, Percentage of children under 5 years of age who are overweight (modelled estimates) (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Prevalence of stunting, height for age (% of children under 5)

7.1 % of children under 5 latest value, 2010

Japan: Prevalence of stunting, height for age (% of children under 5)1990: 5; 2010: 7.10246819901995200020052010

Prevalence of stunting is the percentage of children under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.

Source: Prevalence of stunting, height for age (% of children under 5)

Wasting among children under 5

2.4 % latest value, 2010

Japan: Wasting among children under 52000: 1.7; 2010: 2.400.511.522.5200020052010

FAOSTAT FS, Percentage of children under 5 years affected by wasting (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

COVID economic support index

87.4 mean index 0–100 latest value, 2022

Japan: COVID economic support index2020: 71.2; 2022: 87.40204060801001202020

Mean daily national OxCGRT index with all days present, archived 2020–2022. Codes policies, not compliance, effectiveness or causal impact. Average follows source treatment of vaccination groups.

Source: Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker

COVID containment and health index

44 mean index 0–100 latest value, 2022

Japan: COVID containment and health index2020: 38.5; 2022: 4402040602020

Mean daily national OxCGRT index with all days present, archived 2020–2022. Codes policies, not compliance, effectiveness or causal impact. Average follows source treatment of vaccination groups.

Source: Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker

COVID government response

49.4 mean index 0–100 latest value, 2022

Japan: COVID government response2020: 42.6; 2022: 49.402040602020

Mean daily national OxCGRT index with all days present, archived 2020–2022. Codes policies, not compliance, effectiveness or causal impact. Average follows source treatment of vaccination groups.

Source: Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker

COVID policy stringency

39.7 mean index 0–100 latest value, 2022

Japan: COVID policy stringency2020: 32.6; 2022: 39.7010203040502020

Mean daily national OxCGRT index with all days present, archived 2020–2022. Codes policies, not compliance, effectiveness or causal impact. Average follows source treatment of vaccination groups.

Source: Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker

Reported COVID-19 cases

26,534,616 by report dates in year latest value, 2022

Japan: Reported COVID-19 cases2020: 217,312; 2022: 26,534,616010,000,00020,000,00030,000,0002020

Sum of WHO weekly reports by report date in a completed year, requiring at least 50 nonmissing values. Reported events, not total infections/deaths. Negative revisions retained; testing and reporting coverage changed.

Source: WHO: reported COVID-19 data

Reported COVID-19 deaths

37,426 by report dates in year latest value, 2022

Japan: Reported COVID-19 deaths2020: 3,213; 2022: 37,426010,00020,00030,00040,0002020

Sum of WHO weekly reports by report date in a completed year, requiring at least 50 nonmissing values. Reported events, not total infections/deaths. Negative revisions retained; testing and reporting coverage changed.

Source: WHO: reported COVID-19 data

Diabetes prevalence (% of population ages 20 to 79)

8.1 % of people aged 20-79 latest value, 2024

Japan: Diabetes prevalence (% of population ages 20 to 79)2011: 7.7; 2024: 8.1024681020152020

Diabetes prevalence refers to the percentage of people ages 20-79 who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is calculated by adjusting to a standard population age-structure.

Source: Diabetes prevalence (% of population ages 20 to 79)

Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population (%)

5.8 % of population latest value, 2023

Japan: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population (%)2015: 2.6; 2023: 5.8024620152020

The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as moderately or severely food insecure. A household is classified as moderately or severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to low quality diets and might have been forced to also reduce the quantity of food they would normally eat because of a lack of money or other resources.

Source: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population (%)

Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%)

1.1 % of population latest value, 2023

Japan: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%)2015: 0; 2023: 1.100.511.520152020

The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.

Source: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%)

Out-of-pocket expenditure (% of current health expenditure)

12.2 % of current health expenditure latest value, 2023

Japan: Out-of-pocket expenditure (% of current health expenditure)2000: 15.9; 2023: 12.20510152020002005201020152020

Share of out-of-pocket payments of total current health expenditures. Out-of-pocket payments are spending on health directly out-of-pocket by households.

Source: Out-of-pocket expenditure (% of current health expenditure)

Current health expenditure (% of GDP)

10.7 % of GDP latest value, 2023

Japan: Current health expenditure (% of GDP)2000: 7; 2023: 10.705101520002005201020152020

Level of current health expenditure expressed as a percentage of GDP. Estimates of current health expenditures include healthcare goods and services consumed during each year. This indicator does not include capital health expenditures such as buildings, machinery, IT and stocks of vaccines for emergency or outbreaks.

Source: Current health expenditure (% of GDP)

Current health expenditure per capita (current US$)

3,638.2 current US dollars latest value, 2023

Japan: Current health expenditure per capita (current US$)2000: 2,751.4; 2023: 3,638.202,0004,0006,00020002005201020152020

Current expenditures on health per capita in current US dollars. Estimates of current health expenditures include healthcare goods and services consumed during each year.

Source: Current health expenditure per capita (current US$)

Hospital beds (per 1,000 people)

12.6 per 1,000 people latest value, 2022

Japan: Hospital beds (per 1,000 people)1960: 9; 2022: 12.6051015201960197019801990200020102020

Hospital beds include inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In most cases beds for both acute and chronic care are included.

Source: Hospital beds (per 1,000 people)

Low birthweight

11.3 % latest value, 2020

Japan: Low birthweight2000: 11.2; 2020: 11.305101520002005201020152020

FAOSTAT FS, Prevalence of low birthweight (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people)

13 per 1,000 people latest value, 2022

Japan: Nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people)1990: 6.4; 2022: 130510151990199520002005201020152020

Nurses and midwives include professional nurses, professional midwives, auxiliary nurses, auxiliary midwives, enrolled nurses, enrolled midwives and other associated personnel, such as dental nurses and primary care nurses.

Source: Nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people)

Obesity among adults aged 18+

5.9 % latest value, 2024

Japan: Obesity among adults aged 18+2000: 2.6; 2024: 5.9024620002005201020152020

FAOSTAT FS, Prevalence of obesity in the adult population (18 years and older) (percent). Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Physicians (per 1,000 people)

2.6 per 1,000 people latest value, 2022

Japan: Physicians (per 1,000 people)1960: 1; 2022: 2.601231960197019801990200020102020

Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.

Source: Physicians (per 1,000 people)

Mortality caused by road traffic injury (per 100,000 population)

3.6 per 100,000 people latest value, 2019

Japan: Mortality caused by road traffic injury (per 100,000 population)2000: 12.5; 2019: 3.60510152000200520102015

Mortality caused by road traffic injury is estimated road traffic fatal injury deaths per 100,000 population.

Source: Mortality caused by road traffic injury (per 100,000 population)

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population)

17.4 per 100,000 people latest value, 2021

Japan: Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population)2000: 24.1; 2021: 17.4010203020002005201020152020

Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Source: Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population)

Prevalence of current tobacco use (% of adults)

17.5 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Prevalence of current tobacco use (% of adults)2000: 33.4; 2024: 17.501020304020002005201020152020

The percentage of the population ages 15 years and over who currently use any tobacco product (smoked and/or smokeless tobacco) on a daily or non-daily basis. Tobacco products include cigarettes, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, waterpipes (hookah, shisha), bidis, kretek, heated tobacco products, and all forms of smokeless (oral and nasal) tobacco. Tobacco products exclude e-cigarettes (which do not contain tobacco), “e-cigars”, “e-hookahs”, JUUL and “e-pipes”. The rates are age-standardized to the WHO Standard Population.

Source: Prevalence of current tobacco use (% of adults)

Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people)

9.8 per 100,000 people latest value, 2024

Japan: Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people)2000: 47; 2024: 9.80102030405020002005201020152020

Incidence of tuberculosis is the estimated number of new and relapse tuberculosis cases arising in a given year, expressed as the rate per 100,000 population. All forms of TB are included, including cases in people living with HIV. Estimates for all years are recalculated as new information becomes available and techniques are refined, so they may differ from those published previously.

Source: Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people)

Immunization, DPT (% of children ages 12-23 months)

99 % of children aged 12-23 months latest value, 2024

Japan: Immunization, DPT (% of children ages 12-23 months)1980: 60; 2024: 9902040608010019801990200020102020

Child immunization, DPT, measures the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received DPT vaccinations before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (or whooping cough), and tetanus (DPT) after receiving three doses of vaccine.

Source: Immunization, DPT (% of children ages 12-23 months)

Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months)

95 % of children aged 12-23 months latest value, 2024

Japan: Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months)1980: 69; 2024: 9502040608010019801990200020102020

Child immunization, measles, measures the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received the measles vaccination before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized against measles after receiving one dose of vaccine.

Source: Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months)

Culture and time

International tourism, receipts (current US$)

11,395,000,000 current US dollars latest value, 2020

Japan: International tourism, receipts (current US$)1995: 4,894,000,000; 2020: 11,395,000,000010,000,000,00020,000,000,00030,000,000,00040,000,000,00050,000,000,000199520002005201020152020

International tourism receipts are expenditures by international inbound visitors, including payments to national carriers for international transport. These receipts include any other prepayment made for goods or services received in the destination country. They also may include receipts from same-day visitors, except when these are important enough to justify separate classification. For some countries they do not include receipts for passenger transport items. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Source: International tourism, receipts (current US$)

International tourism, number of arrivals

4,115,799.8 arrivals per year latest value, 2020

Japan: International tourism, number of arrivals1995: 3,345,000; 2020: 4,115,799.8010,000,00020,000,00030,000,00040,000,000199520002005201020152020

International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: International tourism, number of arrivals

Land and housing

Agricultural land (% of land area)

12.6 % of land area latest value, 2023

Japan: Agricultural land (% of land area)1961: 19.4; 2023: 12.605101520197019801990200020102020

Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable, under permanent crops, and under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded. Land under permanent crops is land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber. Permanent pasture is land used for five or more years for forage, including natural and cultivated crops.

Source: Agricultural land (% of land area)

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added per worker (constant 2015 US$)

20,323.8 constant 2015 US dollars latest value, 2024

Japan: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added per worker (constant 2015 US$)1994: 14,900.6; 2024: 20,323.805,00010,00015,00020,00025,000199520002005201020152020

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing corresponds to ISIC (Rev. 4) divisions 01-03 and includes the exploitation of vegetal and animal natural resources, comprising the activities of growing of crops, raising and breeding of animals, harvesting of timber and other plants, animals or animal products from a farm or their natural habitats.Value added is the contribution to the economy by a producer or an industry or an institutional sector, which is estimated by the total value of output produced and deducting the total value of intermediate consumption of goods and services used to produce that output. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment is 2015. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.

Source: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added per worker (constant 2015 US$)

Arable land (% of land area)

11.1 % of land area latest value, 2023

Japan: Arable land (% of land area)1961: 15.4; 2023: 11.105101520197019801990200020102020

Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.

Source: Arable land (% of land area)

Cereal yield (kg per hectare)

6,245.1 kg per hectare latest value, 2023

Japan: Cereal yield (kg per hectare)1961: 4,173.5; 2023: 6,245.102,0004,0006,0008,000197019801990200020102020

Cereal yield, measured as kilograms per hectare of harvested land, includes wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats, rye, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, and mixed grains. Production data on cereals relate to crops harvested for dry grain only. Cereal crops harvested for hay or harvested green for food, feed, or silage and those used for grazing are excluded. The FAO allocates production data to the calendar year in which the bulk of the harvest took place. Most of a crop harvested near the end of a year will be used in the following year.

Source: Cereal yield (kg per hectare)

Certified organic agricultural land

21.82 1000 ha latest value, 2024

Japan: Certified organic agricultural land2011: 9.4; 2024: 21.82051015202520152020

FAOSTAT RL, Agriculture area certified organic. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Actually irrigated agricultural land

1,573 1000 ha latest value, 2014

Japan: Actually irrigated agricultural land2001: 1,700; 2014: 1,57305001,0001,5002,00020052010

FAOSTAT RL, Agriculture area actually irrigated. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Land equipped for irrigation

2,843 1000 ha latest value, 2024

Japan: Land equipped for irrigation1961: 2,940; 2024: 2,84301,0002,0003,0004,000197019801990200020102020

FAOSTAT RL, Land area equipped for irrigation. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Planted forest

10,077 1000 ha latest value, 2025

Japan: Planted forest1990: 10,287; 2025: 10,07705,00010,00015,00019901995200020052010201520202025

FAOSTAT RL, Planted Forest. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Primary forest

2,974 1000 ha latest value, 2025

Japan: Primary forest1990: 2,782; 2025: 2,97401,0002,0003,00019901995200020052010201520202025

FAOSTAT RL, Primary Forest. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

Everyday environment

Air transport, passengers carried

120,305,972 passengers per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Air transport, passengers carried1970: 16,315,100; 2023: 120,305,972050,000,000100,000,000150,000,000197019801990200020102020

Air carrier data per country refers to passengers carried by airlines registered in that country regardless of the origin or destination of the passengers.

Source: Air transport, passengers carried

Access to electricity (% of population)

100 % of population latest value, 2024

Japan: Access to electricity (% of population)1990: 100; 2024: 1000204060801001201990199520002005201020152020

Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources.

Source: Access to electricity (% of population)

Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land)

202.8 kg of nutrients per hectare latest value, 2023

Japan: Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land)1961: 279.9; 2023: 202.80100200300400500197019801990200020102020

Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients used per unit of arable land. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. For the purpose of data dissemination, FAO has adopted the concept of a calendar year (January to December). Some countries compile fertilizer data on a calendar year basis, while others are on a split-year basis. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.

Source: Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land)

Forest area (% of land area)

68.4 % of land area latest value, 2023

Japan: Forest area (% of land area)1990: 68.4; 2023: 68.40204060801990199520002005201020152020

Forest area (% of land area) is the share of total land area that is under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens.

Source: Forest area (% of land area)

Land temperature anomaly

1.86 °C latest value, 2025

Japan: Land temperature anomaly1961: 0.67; 2025: 1.8600.511.522.5197019801990200020102020

FAOSTAT ET, Meteorological year. Published exact annual central values only; missing/suppressed values and inequality bounds are excluded from the annual series. Source flags, units, period and release retained in typed tables. Food supply is availability, not actual intake; land areas are not prices; diet cost uses source PPP definitions; land temperature is relative to 1951–1980.

Source: FAO: FAOSTAT

PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter)

11.5 micrograms/m³, annual mean exposure latest value, 2023

Japan: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter)1990: 12.6; 2023: 11.50510151990199520002005201020152020

Population-weighted exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution is defined as the average level of exposure of a nation's population to concentrations of suspended particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter, which are capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory tract and causing severe health damage. Exposure is calculated by weighting mean annual concentrations of PM2.5 by population in both urban and rural areas.

Source: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter)

Railways, passengers carried (million passenger-km)

263,211 million passenger-km latest value, 2020

Japan: Railways, passengers carried (million passenger-km)1995: 400,084; 2020: 263,2110100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000199520002005201020152020

Passengers carried by railway are the number of passengers transported by rail multiplied by kilometers traveled.

Source: Railways, passengers carried (million passenger-km)

People using safely managed drinking water services (% of population)

98.7 % of population latest value, 2024

Japan: People using safely managed drinking water services (% of population)2000: 97.9; 2024: 98.702040608010020002005201020152020

The percentage of people using drinking water from an improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed and free from fecal and priority chemical contamination. Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.

Source: People using safely managed drinking water services (% of population)

People using safely managed sanitation services (% of population)

99.2 % of population latest value, 2024

Japan: People using safely managed sanitation services (% of population)2000: 96.5; 2024: 99.202040608010020002005201020152020

The percentage of people using improved sanitation facilities that are not shared with other households and where excreta are safely disposed of in situ or transported and treated offsite. Improved sanitation facilities include flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, septic tanks or pit latrines: ventilated improved pit latrines, composting toilets or pit latrines with slabs.

Source: People using safely managed sanitation services (% of population)

Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

36.6 % of available freshwater resources latest value, 2022

Japan: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources1980: 40.6; 2022: 36.60102030405019801990200020102020

The level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources is the ratio between total freshwater withdrawn by all major sectors and total renewable freshwater resources, after taking into account environmental water requirements. Main sectors, as defined by ISIC standards, include agriculture; forestry and fishing; manufacturing; electricity industry; and services. This indicator is also known as water withdrawal intensity.

Source: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Work and skills

Children out of school (% of primary school age)

0.1 % of primary-school-age children latest value, 2023

Japan: Children out of school (% of primary school age)2013: 1.1; 2023: 0.100.511.520152020

Children out of school are the percentage of primary-school-age children who are not enrolled in primary or secondary school. Children in the official primary age group that are in preprimary education should be considered out of school.

Source: Children out of school (% of primary school age)

Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP)

3.3 % of GDP latest value, 2021

Japan: Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP)1971: 3.6; 2021: 3.3024619801990200020102020

General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.

Source: Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP)

Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate)

61.9 % of population aged 15+ latest value, 2025

Japan: Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate)1991: 62.5; 2025: 61.90204060801995200020052010201520202025

Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed.

Source: Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate)

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)

63.4 % of population aged 15+ latest value, 2025

Japan: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)1990: 63.4; 2025: 63.402040608019901995200020052010201520202025

Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

Source: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)

Learning poverty: Share of Children at the End-of-Primary age below minimum reading proficiency adjusted by Out-of-School Children (%)

3.6 % of children of end-of-primary age latest value, 2019

Japan: Learning poverty: Share of Children at the End-of-Primary age below minimum reading proficiency adjusted by Out-of-School Children (%)2003: 5.4; 2019: 3.60246200520102015

The share of 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a short passage of age-appropriate material—in other words, those who are below the “minimum proficiency” threshold for reading. This measure is defined as the union of two deprivations: 1) schooling deprivation and 2) learning deprivation. A child is considered schooling-deprived (SD) if he or she is of primary school age and out-of-school. The dimension of learning deprivation (LD) applies only for children in school, and identifies those pupils who are below the minimum proficiency level (MPL) for reading, as defined by the Global Alliance to Monitor Learning (GAML), measured in standard learning assessments, and reported in the context of the SDG 4.1.1b monitoring. This “union approach” to measurement reflects the choice that, as presented in the SDGs, all age 10 children must be both in school and learning. The final learning poverty measure combines the two dimensions in a single indicator using the following formula: LP = SD + [(1-SD) x LD]

Source: Learning poverty: Share of Children at the End-of-Primary age below minimum reading proficiency adjusted by Out-of-School Children (%)

New business density (new registrations per 1,000 people ages 15-64)

0.6 per 1,000 people aged 15-64 latest value, 2024

Japan: New business density (new registrations per 1,000 people ages 15-64)2006: 0; 2024: 0.600.20.40.6201020152020

The number of newly registered firms with limited liability per 1,000 working-age people (ages 15-64) per calendar year.

Source: New business density (new registrations per 1,000 people ages 15-64)

Vulnerable employment, total (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate)

7.5 % of employment latest value, 2025

Japan: Vulnerable employment, total (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate)1991: 17.7; 2025: 7.5051015201995200020052010201520202025

Vulnerable employment is contributing family workers and own-account workers as a percentage of total employment.

Source: Vulnerable employment, total (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate)

Share of youth not in education, employment or training, total (% of youth population)

3.1 % of youth aged 15-24 latest value, 2019

Japan: Share of youth not in education, employment or training, total (% of youth population)2009: 4.4; 2019: 3.101234520102015

The share of youth not in education, employment or training (also known as “the NEET rate”) conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. Youth not in education are those who were neither enrolled in school nor in a formal training program (e.g. vocational training). For the purposes of this indicator, youth is defined as all persons between the ages of 15 and 24 (inclusive).

Source: Share of youth not in education, employment or training, total (% of youth population)

Science, space and technology

GitHub developer accounts at year end

4,973,908 accounts latest value, 2025

Japan: GitHub developer accounts at year end2020: 1,429,144; 2025: 4,973,90801,000,0002,000,0003,000,0004,000,0005,000,00020202025

Fourth-quarter end snapshot; includes inactive accounts/organizations/repositories. GitHub Innovation Graph: public GitHub activity only. Geography reflects mode location, not nationality. Suppressed small groups are not zeros; not a professional-programmer count.

Source: GitHub Innovation Graph

GitHub git pushes

23,585,619 git pushes latest value, 2025

Japan: GitHub git pushes2020: 11,302,572; 2025: 23,585,61905,000,00010,000,00015,000,00020,000,00025,000,00020202025

Sum of all four published quarters of git pushes. One push may include multiple commits. GitHub Innovation Graph: public GitHub activity only. Geography reflects mode location, not nationality. Suppressed small groups are not zeros; not a professional-programmer count.

Source: GitHub Innovation Graph

GitHub organizations at year end

244,919 organizations latest value, 2025

Japan: GitHub organizations at year end2020: 85,319; 2025: 244,919050,000100,000150,000200,000250,00020202025

Fourth-quarter end snapshot; includes inactive accounts/organizations/repositories. GitHub Innovation Graph: public GitHub activity only. Geography reflects mode location, not nationality. Suppressed small groups are not zeros; not a professional-programmer count.

Source: GitHub Innovation Graph

GitHub repositories at year end

10,967,681 repositories latest value, 2025

Japan: GitHub repositories at year end2020: 3,527,022; 2025: 10,967,68105,000,00010,000,00015,000,00020202025

Fourth-quarter end snapshot; includes inactive accounts/organizations/repositories. GitHub Innovation Graph: public GitHub activity only. Geography reflects mode location, not nationality. Suppressed small groups are not zeros; not a professional-programmer count.

Source: GitHub Innovation Graph

High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports)

17.6 % of manufactured exports latest value, 2024

Japan: High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports)2007: 20.1; 2024: 17.60510152025201020152020

High-technology exports are products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery.

Source: High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports)

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)

3.4 % of GDP latest value, 2023

Japan: Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)1996: 2.6; 2023: 3.40123420002005201020152020

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.

Source: Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)

R&D expenditure per inhabitant

1,088.9 euro per inhabitant latest value, 2024

Japan: R&D expenditure per inhabitant1980: 142.3; 2024: 1,088.905001,0001,50019801990200020102020

Gross domestic R&D expenditure, all sectors, current euro per inhabitant, Eurostat. Exchange-rate and inflation changes remain.

Source: GERD by sector of performance

Researchers in R&D (per million people)

5,608.6 full-time equivalents per million people latest value, 2023

Japan: Researchers in R&D (per million people)1996: 4,906.4; 2023: 5,608.602,0004,0006,00020002005201020152020

The number of researchers engaged in Research &Development (R&D), expressed as per million. Researchers are professionals who conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models techniques instrumentation, software of operational methods. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.

Source: Researchers in R&D (per million people)

Patent applications, residents

222,452 applications per year latest value, 2021

Japan: Patent applications, residents1980: 165,730; 2021: 222,4520100,000200,000300,000400,00019801990200020102020

Patent applications are worldwide patent applications filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty procedure or with a national patent office for exclusive rights for an invention--a product or process that provides a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem. A patent provides protection for the invention to the owner of the patent for a limited period, generally 20 years.

Source: Patent applications, residents

Business R&D, % of GDP

2.86 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Business R&D, % of GDP1981: 1.32; 2024: 2.8601231990200020102020

BERD — R&D performed by businesses, as a share of GDP. It is part of GERD; the rest is performed by government institutes, universities and non-profits. Counted by who performs the work, not by who pays for it. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Government-sector R&D, % of GDP

0.34 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Government-sector R&D, % of GDP1981: 0.24; 2024: 0.3400.10.20.30.41990200020102020

GOVERD — R&D performed by government research bodies (excluding universities), as a share of GDP. Part of GERD; counted by performer, not by source of funds. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

University R&D, % of GDP

0.38 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: University R&D, % of GDP1981: 0.35; 2024: 0.3800.10.20.30.40.51990200020102020

HERD — R&D performed by universities and other higher-education institutions, as a share of GDP. Part of GERD; counted by performer, not by source of funds. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

R&D funded by business

77.5 % of GERD latest value, 2024

Japan: R&D funded by business1981: 67.7; 2024: 77.50204060801990200020102020

Share of all domestic R&D spending (GERD) paid for by businesses, whoever performed the work. GERD is all R&D performed in the country, whoever performs it: businesses, government institutes, universities and non-profits (Frascati Manual). OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

R&D funded by government

16.7 % of GERD latest value, 2024

Japan: R&D funded by government1981: 24.9; 2024: 16.705101520251990200020102020

Share of all domestic R&D spending (GERD) paid for by government, including public money for universities. GERD is all R&D performed in the country, whoever performs it: businesses, government institutes, universities and non-profits (Frascati Manual). OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

R&D funded from abroad

0.5 % of GERD latest value, 2024

Japan: R&D funded from abroad1981: 0.1; 2024: 0.500.20.40.60.81990200020102020

Share of domestic R&D spending (GERD) paid for from abroad: foreign companies, international organisations, EU programmes. GERD is all R&D performed in the country, whoever performs it: businesses, government institutes, universities and non-profits (Frascati Manual). OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

R&D spending, billion dollars

204.4 billion USD PPP, 2020 prices latest value, 2024

Japan: R&D spending, billion dollars1981: 57.8; 2024: 204.40501001502002501990200020102020

All domestic R&D spending (GERD) in billions of US dollars at purchasing power parity, constant 2020 prices, so years compare without inflation. GERD is all R&D performed in the country, whoever performs it: businesses, government institutes, universities and non-profits (Frascati Manual). OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Researchers per 1,000 employed

10.2 per 1,000 employed, FTE latest value, 2024

Japan: Researchers per 1,000 employed1981: 5.2; 2024: 10.20510151990200020102020

Researchers in full-time equivalents (FTE: two half-timers count as one) per 1,000 people employed. Researchers only, excluding technicians and support staff; not a headcount. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Researchers, thousands

703.4 thousand full-time equivalents latest value, 2024

Japan: Researchers, thousands1981: 311; 2024: 703.402004006008001990200020102020

Researchers in all sectors in full-time equivalents (two half-timers count as one), thousands. Excludes technicians and support staff; the headcount is usually larger. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Government R&D budget, billion dollars

74.7 billion USD PPP, 2020 prices latest value, 2025

Japan: Government R&D budget, billion dollars1988: 16.7; 2025: 74.70204060801001990200020102020

GBARD — R&D appropriations in the central government budget, billions of US dollars at PPP, 2020 prices. A budget, not GERD spending: it includes money spent abroad and given to international organisations, and excludes business money. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Defence share of government R&D budget

5.9 % of GBARD latest value, 2025

Japan: Defence share of government R&D budget1988: 4.8; 2025: 5.9024681990200020102020

Share of government R&D appropriations (GBARD) earmarked for defence. GBARD is a budget, not actual spending. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Space share of civil government R&D budget

5.2 % of civil GBARD latest value, 2025

Japan: Space share of civil government R&D budget1988: 6.4; 2025: 5.202468101990200020102020

Share of civil government R&D appropriations (GBARD excluding defence) for space exploration and exploitation. Military space is not included. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Triadic patent families

16,688 families per year latest value, 2023

Japan: Triadic patent families1985: 4,999; 2023: 16,68805,00010,00015,00020,00025,0001990200020102020

Inventions filed at all three of the European, Japanese and US patent offices, by inventors' country and priority year, fractionally counted across co-inventing countries. Applications, not grants; counts inventions, not individual filings. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Government R&D budget, % of GDP

1.37 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Government R&D budget, % of GDP1988: 0.43; 2024: 1.3700.511.521990200020102020

GBARD — central government R&D appropriations as a share of GDP, both in national currency at current prices from the same OECD table. A budget, not GERD spending; business money is not included. OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators.

Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI)

Business R&D per inhabitant

859.3 euro per inhabitant latest value, 2024

Japan: Business R&D per inhabitant1980: 85.2; 2024: 859.302004006008001,00019801990200020102020

R&D performed by businesses (BERD), euros at current prices per inhabitant. Counted by who performs the work, not by who pays. Eurostat, rd_e_gerdtot (sector BES).

Source: Eurostat research and development statistics

Researchers, thousand people

1,003.1 thousand people latest value, 2024

Japan: Researchers, thousand people2001: 792.7; 2024: 1,003.105001,0001,5002005201020152020

Number of people working as researchers in all sectors — each person counts once, however many hours they spend on research (headcount). Hence larger than full-time equivalents (researchers_fte). Eurostat, rd_p_persocc.

Source: Eurostat research and development statistics

Women among researchers

18.5 % of researchers latest value, 2023

Japan: Women among researchers2001: 10.7; 2023: 18.5051015202005201020152020

Share of women among researchers in all sectors (business, government, higher education, non-profit), by headcount: each person counts once, however many hours they spend on research. Not the share among paper authors or inventors. UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), indicator FRESP.THC.

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS): science, technology and innovation

Patent applications by origin, worldwide

420,991 applications per year latest value, 2024

Japan: Patent applications by origin, worldwide1980: 165,766; 2024: 420,9910200,000400,000600,00019801990200020102020

All applications for patents for inventions filed in a year by applicants from the country at any patent office worldwide — at home and abroad (direct filings and PCT national phase entries). Country = first applicant's address (origin), not the filing office. Applications, not grants; one invention filed in five countries counts five times. Residents' filings at their own office are a separate series, resident_patent_applications. WIPO IP Statistics Data Center (the last update is stated in the export file).

Source: WIPO IP Statistics Data Center

Patent applications abroad by origin

183,822 applications per year latest value, 2024

Japan: Patent applications abroad by origin1980: 36; 2024: 183,822050,000100,000150,000200,000250,00019801990200020102020

Applications for patents for inventions filed in a year by applicants from the country at foreign and regional offices (such as the European Patent Office): how much the country's inventions seek protection in other markets. Country = first applicant's address; applications, not grants. WIPO IP Statistics Data Center (the last update is stated in the export file).

Source: WIPO IP Statistics Data Center

PCT international patent applications

47,946 applications per year latest value, 2025

Japan: PCT international patent applications1995: 2,775; 2025: 47,946020,00040,00060,0001995200020052010201520202025

International applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) by filing date and first applicant's country. One PCT application defers the choice of countries where the invention will be protected; it is neither a patent nor a filing at a particular office. The incomplete current year is excluded. WIPO IP Statistics Data Center (the last update is stated in the export file).

Source: WIPO IP Statistics Data Center

Electric cars: share of new car sales

3 % of new car sales latest value, 2025

Japan: Electric cars: share of new car sales2010: 0.1; 2025: 3012342010201520202025

Share of electric cars among all new cars sold in the year. Sales are new cars in the year, not all cars on the road (that is the stock). Electric cars are battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV, a battery charged from the grid plus a petrol engine); ordinary hybrids without a plug and fuel-cell cars are not included. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Electric cars: new car sales

100,000 cars a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Electric cars: new car sales2010: 2,400; 2025: 100,000050,000100,000150,0002010201520202025

New electric cars sold in the year. Electric cars are battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV, a battery charged from the grid plus a petrol engine); ordinary hybrids without a plug and fuel-cell cars are not included. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Battery-electric cars (BEV): sales

61,000 cars a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Battery-electric cars (BEV): sales2010: 2,400; 2025: 61,000020,00040,00060,00080,000100,0002010201520202025

New battery-electric cars (BEV: battery only, no combustion engine) sold in the year. Plug-in hybrids are not included. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV): sales

41,000 cars a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV): sales2011: 15; 2025: 41,000020,00040,00060,000201520202025

New plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV: battery charged from the grid plus a combustion engine) sold in the year. Ordinary hybrids without a plug are not included. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Electric cars on the road (stock)

720,000 cars latest value, 2025

Japan: Electric cars on the road (stock)2010: 3,500; 2025: 720,0000200,000400,000600,000800,0002010201520202025

Electric cars on the road at the end of the year: the whole stock, not the sales of the year. Electric cars are battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV, a battery charged from the grid plus a petrol engine); ordinary hybrids without a plug and fuel-cell cars are not included. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Electric cars: share of all cars on the road

1 % of the car stock latest value, 2025

Japan: Electric cars: share of all cars on the road2010: 0; 2025: 100.20.40.60.811.22010201520202025

Share of electric cars among all cars on the road (the stock), not among the sales of the year. Electric cars are battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV, a battery charged from the grid plus a petrol engine); ordinary hybrids without a plug and fuel-cell cars are not included. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Electric trucks: share of new truck sales

0.3 % of new truck sales latest value, 2024

Japan: Electric trucks: share of new truck sales2018: 0; 2024: 0.300.10.20.30.42020

Share of electric trucks (medium and heavy; battery-electric and plug-in hybrid) among all new trucks sold in the year. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Public EV charging points

39,000 charging points latest value, 2025

Japan: Public EV charging points2014: 11,500; 2025: 39,000010,00020,00030,00040,000201520202025

Publicly available charging points (outlets that can each serve one car at a time) at the end of the year, slow and fast together. A point is not a station: one station can have many points. Home and private workplace chargers are not included. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Fast public charging points (over 22 kW)

11,000 charging points latest value, 2025

Japan: Fast public charging points (over 22 kW)2010: 310; 2025: 11,00005,00010,00015,0002010201520202025

Publicly available charging points over 22 kW at the end of the year, including ultra-fast ones (150 kW and more). A point is not a station. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Slow public charging points (up to 22 kW)

28,000 charging points latest value, 2025

Japan: Slow public charging points (up to 22 kW)2014: 8,600; 2025: 28,000010,00020,00030,000201520202025

Publicly available charging points of up to 22 kW at the end of the year. A point is not a station. IEA rounds values to two significant figures. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Electric cars per public charging point

19 vehicles per point latest value, 2025

Japan: Electric cars per public charging point2010: 11; 2025: 19010203040502010201520202025

Light-duty electric vehicles on the road (cars and vans, BEV and PHEV) per publicly available charging point. Higher means fewer public chargers per car; it is high where people charge at home, without a shortage of chargers. IEA, Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook), CC BY 4.0.

Source: IEA: Global EV Data Explorer (Global EV Outlook)

Orbital launches

4 launches a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Orbital launches1966: 2; 2025: 402468197019801990200020102020

Orbital launch attempts in the year, successful and failed together. An orbital launch is an attempt to put a payload into Earth orbit or beyond, successful or not; suborbital flights (sounding rockets, missile tests, tourist hops) are excluded. The country is the GCAT launch vehicle state (Falcon 9 is the US, Ariane France, Electron from New Zealand New Zealand), not the satellite's country. Soviet launches (1957-1991) are not assigned to Russia: they are only in the world total. Zero after a country's first launch is a year without launches. Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0.

Source: GCAT — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (J. McDowell)

Failed orbital launches

1 launches a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Failed orbital launches1966: 2; 2025: 1011223197019801990200020102020

Orbital launches in the year that failed to reach the intended orbit (GCAT code F; partial failures coded F are included). Counted from the country's first launch attempt. An orbital launch is an attempt to put a payload into Earth orbit or beyond, successful or not; suborbital flights (sounding rockets, missile tests, tourist hops) are excluded. The country is the GCAT launch vehicle state (Falcon 9 is the US, Ariane France, Electron from New Zealand New Zealand), not the satellite's country. Soviet launches (1957-1991) are not assigned to Russia: they are only in the world total. Zero after a country's first launch is a year without launches. Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0.

Source: GCAT — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (J. McDowell)

Satellites and spacecraft put into orbit

35 payloads a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Satellites and spacecraft put into orbit1970: 1; 2025: 35010203040197019801990200020102020

Payloads (satellites, crewed and cargo ships, probes; no rocket stages, debris or dummies) put into orbit by successful launches in the year. The country is the payload owner in GCAT, not the rocket's country: a Turkish satellite on a Falcon 9 is Turkey. Thousands of Starlink satellites since 2019 are the US. Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0.

Source: GCAT — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (J. McDowell)

Communities and participation

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)

15.7 % of seats latest value, 2025

Japan: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)1997: 4.6; 2025: 15.705101520200020052010201520202025

Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.

Source: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)

Religion and beliefs

Christians — population share

2.2 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians — population share2010: 2.2; 2020: 2.200.511.522.5201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Christians — population

2,840 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians — population2010: 2,830; 2020: 2,84001,0002,0003,000201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Muslims — population share

0.2 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims — population share2010: 0.2; 2020: 0.200.10.10.20.20.3201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Muslims — population

210 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims — population2010: 200; 2020: 210050100150200250201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religiously unaffiliated — population share

57.5 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated — population share2010: 52.2; 2020: 57.50204060201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religiously unaffiliated — population

72,570 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated — population2010: 66,890; 2020: 72,570020,00040,00060,00080,000201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Buddhists — population share

37.2 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists — population share2010: 41.8; 2020: 37.201020304050201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Buddhists — population

46,990 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists — population2010: 53,580; 2020: 46,990020,00040,00060,000201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Hindus — population

40 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Hindus — population2010: 30; 2020: 4001020304050201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Other religions — population share

2.9 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions — population share2010: 3.6; 2020: 2.901234201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Other religions — population

3,640 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions — population2010: 4,650; 2020: 3,64001,0002,0003,0004,0005,000201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religious diversity — country rank

24 rank among 201 latest value, 2020

Japan: Religious diversity — country rank2010: 16; 2020: 240510152025201020152020

Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religious diversity index

6.2 index points (0–10) latest value, 2020

Japan: Religious diversity index2010: 6.4; 2020: 6.202468201020152020

Pew index, 0–10, based on seven broad groups. 10 means seven equal groups; 0 means everyone belongs to one group. Does not measure religious freedom, intensity of belief or conflict. Values below 0.1 are retained as bounds in the table. Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religious composition: balance between two groups

9.1 index points (0–10) latest value, 2020

Japan: Religious composition: balance between two groups2010: 9.3; 2020: 9.10246810201020152020

Pew index, 0–10, based on seven broad groups. 10 means two equal groups, which may be any two religions. It is not an affiliated/unaffiliated index. Does not measure religious freedom, intensity of belief or conflict. Values below 0.1 are retained as bounds in the table. Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religiously affiliated — population share

42.5 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously affiliated — population share2010: 47.8; 2020: 42.501020304050201020152020

Macroscope calculation: total population minus Unaffiliated. A subtotal of six religious groups, not an eighth group or a count of believers in God. Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religiously affiliated — population

53,730 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously affiliated — population2010: 61,300; 2020: 53,730020,00040,00060,00080,000201020152020

Macroscope calculation: total population minus Unaffiliated. A subtotal of six religious groups, not an eighth group or a count of believers in God. Pew estimates for all ages in 2010 and 2020 from the same revised 2025 release. Harmonised census/survey religious identification, not practising believers. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist or without beliefs. Other religions include folk traditions, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is and others. The 2026 appendix displays shares below 0.1% as <0.1%; the interactive table displays populations below 10,000 as <10,000; these are retained as bounds in dimensions.operator and omitted from exact chart points. Other counts are rounded to 10,000 and shares to 0.1 percentage point. No intervening years are filled. Affiliated is a derived subtotal of the six religious groups and must not be added to them. Regions/world overlap with countries and must not be summed. Diversity ranks describe only the seven broad groups; a larger rank means less diversity, not less freedom.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious composition, 2010 and 2020

Religiously affiliated adults

44 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Religiously affiliated adults2024: 44; 2024: 44010203040502020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Religion is very important in life

7 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Religion is very important in life2024: 7; 2024: 7024682020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Belief in God

46 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Belief in God2024: 46; 2024: 46010203040502020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Animals can have spirits or spiritual energies

53 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Animals can have spirits or spiritual energies2024: 53; 2024: 5302040602020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Nature can have spirits or spiritual energies

56 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Nature can have spirits or spiritual energies2024: 56; 2024: 5602040602020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Objects can have spirits or spiritual energies

23 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Objects can have spirits or spiritual energies2024: 23; 2024: 2305101520252020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Something spiritual beyond the natural world

55 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Something spiritual beyond the natural world2024: 55; 2024: 5502040602020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Definitely or probably life after death

47 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Definitely or probably life after death2024: 47; 2024: 47010203040502020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Ancestors’ spirits can help or hurt

43 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Ancestors’ spirits can help or hurt2024: 43; 2024: 43010203040502020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Belief in reincarnation

40 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Belief in reincarnation2024: 40; 2024: 40010203040502020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Belief that magic and curses affect lives

21 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Belief that magic and curses affect lives2024: 21; 2024: 2105101520252020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Prayer at least daily

21 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Prayer at least daily2024: 21; 2024: 2105101520252020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Religious services at least monthly

13 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Religious services at least monthly2024: 13; 2024: 130510152020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Fasting during holy times

2 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Fasting during holy times2024: 2; 2024: 20112232020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Consulting fortune tellers or horoscopes

19 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Consulting fortune tellers or horoscopes2024: 19; 2024: 19051015202020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Lighting candles or incense for spiritual reasons

39 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Lighting candles or incense for spiritual reasons2024: 39; 2024: 390102030402020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Wearing or carrying religious items or symbols

15 % of adults latest value, 2024

Japan: Wearing or carrying religious items or symbols2024: 15; 2024: 15051015202020

Pew weighted adult survey responses, rounded to integer percentages; surveyed countries are not a representative sample of the world. Most observations are from 2024; US animal/nature/object spirits and afterlife are from 2023, while affiliation, importance, prayer, attendance and spirituality beyond nature use the 2023–2024 RLS. The table retains the full survey period and English response wording. Affiliation, beliefs and practice are different concepts. Do not multiply adult percentages by all-age population; 100 minus affiliation does not identify atheists. Thirteen missing cells remain missing: 12 questions not asked in Tunisia and one Bangladesh response excluded after a translation error. Rounded zero is not evidence of no people; small differences are not declared significant without uncertainty estimates. Russian labels are Macroscope’s and have not been reviewed or endorsed by Pew.

Source: Pew Research Center: beliefs and practices, 2023–2024 surveys

Government restrictions on religion

1.3 index points (0–10) latest value, 2023

Japan: Government restrictions on religion2023: 1.3; 2023: 1.300.511.52020

Pew coding of published materials for 2023, 198 countries and territories. Scores from 0 to 10, not population percentages. GRI covers government restrictions; SHI covers hostile acts by private individuals and groups. They measure different things and must not be summed. North Korea is not scored due to insufficient reliable observations; missing is not no restrictions. Released June 15, 2026.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious restrictions and social hostilities

Social hostilities involving religion

2.6 index points (0–10) latest value, 2023

Japan: Social hostilities involving religion2023: 2.6; 2023: 2.601232020

Pew coding of published materials for 2023, 198 countries and territories. Scores from 0 to 10, not population percentages. GRI covers government restrictions; SHI covers hostile acts by private individuals and groups. They measure different things and must not be summed. North Korea is not scored due to insufficient reliable observations; missing is not no restrictions. Released June 15, 2026.

Source: Pew Research Center: religious restrictions and social hostilities

Christians among immigrants — share

33.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians among immigrants — share1990: 27.1; 2020: 33.10102030401990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Christians among immigrants — population

920 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians among immigrants — population1990: 290; 2020: 92002004006008001,0001990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Muslims among immigrants — share

5.2 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims among immigrants — share1990: 1.7; 2020: 5.202461990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Muslims among immigrants — population

140 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims among immigrants — population1990: 20; 2020: 1400501001501990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Religiously unaffiliated among immigrants — share

43.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated among immigrants — share1990: 61; 2020: 43.10204060801990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Religiously unaffiliated among immigrants — population

1,200 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated among immigrants — population1990: 660; 2020: 1,20005001,0001,5001990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Buddhists among immigrants — share

10.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists among immigrants — share1990: 8.8; 2020: 10.10510151990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Buddhists among immigrants — population

280 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists among immigrants — population1990: 90; 2020: 28001002003001990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Hindus among immigrants — share

1.5 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Hindus among immigrants — share1990: 0.4; 2020: 1.500.511.521990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Hindus among immigrants — population

40 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Hindus among immigrants — population2000: 10; 2020: 400102030405020002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Jews among immigrants — share

0.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Jews among immigrants — share1990: 0.1; 2020: 0.10000.10.10.10.11990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Other religions among immigrants — share

6.9 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions among immigrants — share1990: 0.9; 2020: 6.9024681990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Other religions among immigrants — population

190 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions among immigrants — population1995: 20; 2020: 190050100150200199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Christians among emigrants — share

28.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians among emigrants — share1990: 31.4; 2020: 28.10102030401990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Christians among emigrants — population

240 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Christians among emigrants — population1990: 210; 2020: 2400501001502002501990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Muslims among emigrants — share

1.7 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims among emigrants — share1990: 1.4; 2020: 1.700.511.521990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Muslims among emigrants — population

10 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Muslims among emigrants — population2010: 10; 2020: 10024681012201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Religiously unaffiliated among emigrants — share

38.9 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated among emigrants — share1990: 34.5; 2020: 38.90102030401990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Religiously unaffiliated among emigrants — population

330 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Religiously unaffiliated among emigrants — population1990: 230; 2020: 33001002003004001990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Buddhists among emigrants — share

27.4 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists among emigrants — share1990: 28.3; 2020: 27.401020301990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Buddhists among emigrants — population

230 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Buddhists among emigrants — population1990: 190; 2020: 2300501001502002501990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Hindus among emigrants — share

0.4 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Hindus among emigrants — share1990: 0.3; 2020: 0.400.10.20.30.40.51990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Jews among emigrants — share

0.1 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Jews among emigrants — share1990: 0.2; 2020: 0.100.10.10.20.20.31990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Other religions among emigrants — share

3.4 % of migrants latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions among emigrants — share1990: 3.9; 2020: 3.4012341990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Other religions among emigrants — population

30 thousand persons latest value, 2020

Japan: Other religions among emigrants — population1990: 30; 2020: 300102030401990199520002005201020152020

Pew 2024 estimates of international migrant stocks at seven dates, 1990–2020. Incoming means migrants living in a country; Outgoing means people from that country living abroad. These are not annual flows or shares of all residents. Based on international migrant data and estimates of religious composition, not a census of practising believers. Incoming and Outgoing overlap; world totals must not be added to countries. Counts are rounded to 10,000; smaller counts remain <10,000 bounds and are omitted from exact chart points. Shares use migrants in the same direction as denominator, rounded to 0.1 percentage point; 0.0% does not establish absence. Shares for 22 Incoming records with zero total are undefined and omitted. Vatican City Incoming is missing. Unaffiliated does not mean atheist. This release is not spliced with the revised 2025 all-population estimates.

Source: Pew Research Center: religion of international migrants

Religion very important: WVS

4.6 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Religion very important: WVS2019: 4.6; 2019: 4.60123452015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Religion not at all important: WVS

42.1 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Religion not at all important: WVS2019: 42.1; 2019: 42.1010203040502015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Never attend services: WVS

13.3 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Never attend services: WVS2019: 13.3; 2019: 13.30510152015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Never pray: WVS

16.6 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Never pray: WVS2019: 16.6; 2019: 16.6051015202015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Identify as religious: WVS

14.3 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Identify as religious: WVS2019: 14.3; 2019: 14.30510152015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Identify as non-religious: WVS

55.7 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Identify as non-religious: WVS2019: 55.7; 2019: 55.702040602015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Identify as atheists: WVS

19.1 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Identify as atheists: WVS2019: 19.1; 2019: 19.1051015202015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Do not believe in God: WVS

32.4 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Do not believe in God: WVS2019: 32.4; 2019: 32.40102030402015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Believe in God: WVS

39.2 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Believe in God: WVS2019: 39.2; 2019: 39.20102030402015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Believe in life after death: WVS

32.2 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Believe in life after death: WVS2019: 32.2; 2019: 32.20102030402015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Believe in hell: WVS

18.1 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Believe in hell: WVS2019: 18.1; 2019: 18.1051015202015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Believe in heaven: WVS

25.4 % of all weighted respondents latest value, 2019

Japan: Believe in heaven: WVS2019: 25.4; 2019: 25.401020302015

WVS7 published tables of Joint EVS/WVS v5.0.0, 66 country/territory samples, 2017–2023. Separate EVS samples are excluded to avoid duplication. Percentages use the full weighted sample, including do-not-know, refusal and other missing responses in the denominator; this differs from EVS valid percentages. gwght retains the original national WVS weights, not population-size country weights. The weighted TOTAL is retained and is not the actual interview count. F034/Q173 distinguishes a religious person, a non-religious person and an atheist; the original WVS response does not say “convinced” although the joint harmonized heading does. Affiliation, self-description and belief are distinct questions; there is no separate agnostic category. The year is the survey reference year from the year variable, not the publication year; India is 2023. Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain separate regions. Published dashes remain unprinted cells, not exact zeros. No confidence intervals or representative global aggregate are available in these tables. Source: EVS/WVS (2024), Joint EVS/WVS 2017–2022 Dataset v5.0.0, doi:10.4232/1.14320; tables dated 2024-06-30; WVS7 v6.0, doi:10.14281/18241.24. Selected published aggregates for non-commercial analysis; original microdata are not redistributed.

Source: WVS7: public EVS/WVS tables

Catholics — population, 2010 estimate

400 thousand persons latest value, 2010

Japan: Catholics — population, 2010 estimate2010: 400; 2010: 400010020030040050020052010

Historical all-age estimates for 2010 from Pew’s 2011 release, 232 countries/territories. Pew’s 2025 revision does not update this detailed split: do not splice into the revised Christian total series. Affiliation, not practice. Protestant includes Anglicans and independent churches; Orthodox includes Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Other Christians include, among others, Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses under the source classification. Counts of at least 10,000 are rounded to 10,000; <1,000 and <10,000 remain bounds in the typed table only. The source states that <10,000 means 1,000–9,999, not zero. World is the sum of the five regions in the same release. Netherlands Antilles and Channel Islands are not assigned to a single present-day country. Geography follows the 2011 release; South Sudan is separate. Macroscope analysis. Pew Research Center bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here. The opinions expressed herein, including any implications for policy, are those of the author and not of Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center has published the original content in English but has not reviewed or approved this translation.

Source: Pew: Christian traditions, 2010 estimates (2011 release)

Protestants — population, 2010 estimate

910 thousand persons latest value, 2010

Japan: Protestants — population, 2010 estimate2010: 910; 2010: 91002004006008001,00020052010

Historical all-age estimates for 2010 from Pew’s 2011 release, 232 countries/territories. Pew’s 2025 revision does not update this detailed split: do not splice into the revised Christian total series. Affiliation, not practice. Protestant includes Anglicans and independent churches; Orthodox includes Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Other Christians include, among others, Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses under the source classification. Counts of at least 10,000 are rounded to 10,000; <1,000 and <10,000 remain bounds in the typed table only. The source states that <10,000 means 1,000–9,999, not zero. World is the sum of the five regions in the same release. Netherlands Antilles and Channel Islands are not assigned to a single present-day country. Geography follows the 2011 release; South Sudan is separate. Macroscope analysis. Pew Research Center bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here. The opinions expressed herein, including any implications for policy, are those of the author and not of Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center has published the original content in English but has not reviewed or approved this translation.

Source: Pew: Christian traditions, 2010 estimates (2011 release)

Eastern and Oriental Orthodox — population, 2010 estimate

20 thousand persons latest value, 2010

Japan: Eastern and Oriental Orthodox — population, 2010 estimate2010: 20; 2010: 20051015202520052010

Historical all-age estimates for 2010 from Pew’s 2011 release, 232 countries/territories. Pew’s 2025 revision does not update this detailed split: do not splice into the revised Christian total series. Affiliation, not practice. Protestant includes Anglicans and independent churches; Orthodox includes Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Other Christians include, among others, Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses under the source classification. Counts of at least 10,000 are rounded to 10,000; <1,000 and <10,000 remain bounds in the typed table only. The source states that <10,000 means 1,000–9,999, not zero. World is the sum of the five regions in the same release. Netherlands Antilles and Channel Islands are not assigned to a single present-day country. Geography follows the 2011 release; South Sudan is separate. Macroscope analysis. Pew Research Center bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here. The opinions expressed herein, including any implications for policy, are those of the author and not of Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center has published the original content in English but has not reviewed or approved this translation.

Source: Pew: Christian traditions, 2010 estimates (2011 release)

Other Christians — population, 2010 estimate

570 thousand persons latest value, 2010

Japan: Other Christians — population, 2010 estimate2010: 570; 2010: 570020040060020052010

Historical all-age estimates for 2010 from Pew’s 2011 release, 232 countries/territories. Pew’s 2025 revision does not update this detailed split: do not splice into the revised Christian total series. Affiliation, not practice. Protestant includes Anglicans and independent churches; Orthodox includes Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Other Christians include, among others, Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses under the source classification. Counts of at least 10,000 are rounded to 10,000; <1,000 and <10,000 remain bounds in the typed table only. The source states that <10,000 means 1,000–9,999, not zero. World is the sum of the five regions in the same release. Netherlands Antilles and Channel Islands are not assigned to a single present-day country. Geography follows the 2011 release; South Sudan is separate. Macroscope analysis. Pew Research Center bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here. The opinions expressed herein, including any implications for policy, are those of the author and not of Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center has published the original content in English but has not reviewed or approved this translation.

Source: Pew: Christian traditions, 2010 estimates (2011 release)

Internet and communication freedom

Internet freedom: overall score

78 points out of 100 latest value, 2025

Japan: Internet freedom: overall score2019: 73; 2025: 7802040608020202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Internet freedom: access score

22 points out of 25 latest value, 2025

Japan: Internet freedom: access score2019: 21; 2025: 22051015202520202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Internet freedom: content score

30 points out of 35 latest value, 2025

Japan: Internet freedom: content score2019: 28; 2025: 3001020304020202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Internet freedom: user-rights score

26 points out of 40 latest value, 2025

Japan: Internet freedom: user-rights score2019: 24; 2025: 26010203020202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Connectivity freedom: infrastructure control

6 points out of 6 latest value, 2025

Japan: Connectivity freedom: infrastructure control2025: 6; 2025: 60246820202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Content freedom: website and VPN blocking

6 points out of 6 latest value, 2025

Japan: Content freedom: website and VPN blocking2025: 6; 2025: 60246820202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Content freedom: forced removal

3 points out of 4 latest value, 2025

Japan: Content freedom: forced removal2025: 3; 2025: 30123420202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Online rights: punishment for online activity

5 points out of 6 latest value, 2025

Japan: Online rights: punishment for online activity2025: 5; 2025: 5012345620202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Online rights: anonymity and encryption

3 points out of 4 latest value, 2025

Japan: Online rights: anonymity and encryption2025: 3; 2025: 30123420202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Online rights: state surveillance

2 points out of 6 latest value, 2025

Japan: Online rights: state surveillance2025: 2; 2025: 201122320202025

Freedom House expert assessment; higher scores mean more freedom, not a percentage of people or sites. Year denotes the edition, assessing June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of that year. Total is access (0–25) plus content (0–35) plus user rights (0–40). Country coverage is neither a random sample nor the entire world. History starts in 2019, when the source reversed its scale; the 2025 production process was reduced due to budget constraints. Detailed questions cover 2025 only; gaps remain missing.

Source: Freedom House: Freedom on the Net

Markets and valuations

Equity price change (WDI)

−9.37 % per year latest value, 2022

Japan: Equity price change (WDI)1990: −34.78; 2022: −9.3702040601990199520002005201020152020

Annual equity index price change, without adding dividends. WDI describes USD S&P BMI indices but separately specifies local prices and CAC40, DAX, Nikkei, FTSE and S&P500 for France, Germany, Japan, the UK and US. Do not treat all countries as one USD portfolio. Coverage and currency bases differ; a historical sample, not live quotes. Source definition: S&P Global Equity Indices measure the U.S. dollar price change in the stock markets covered by the S&P BMI country indices.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Stock market capitalisation / GDP

171.6 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Stock market capitalisation / GDP1975: 26.06; 2025: 171.605010015020019801990200020102020

Year-end market value of listed domestic equities divided by annual GDP: a stock/flow ratio, not P/E or a bubble diagnosis. Foreign revenues and the share of business outside exchanges vary across countries. India, 2025: WDI reports USD 10.56 trillion of capitalisation, while NSE Market Pulse January 2026 reports about USD 5.3 trillion for India. The reason is unresolved. That year’s capitalisation and capitalisation/GDP are retained in the typed dataset with quality=source_discrepancy but excluded from annual charts and automatic analysis pending review. Source definition: Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Listed domestic equity capitalisation

7,610.54 US$ bn latest value, 2025

Japan: Listed domestic equity capitalisation1975: 141.8; 2025: 7,610.5402,0004,0006,0008,00019801990200020102020

Price times outstanding shares at year end, in current US dollars. Funds and companies that only hold other companies’ shares are excluded. Changes include repricing, listings, delistings and exchange rates; this is not portfolio return. India, 2025: WDI reports USD 10.56 trillion of capitalisation, while NSE Market Pulse January 2026 reports about USD 5.3 trillion for India. The reason is unresolved. That year’s capitalisation and capitalisation/GDP are retained in the typed dataset with quality=source_discrepancy but excluded from annual charts and automatic analysis pending review. Source definition: Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values converted to U.S. dollars using corresponding year-end foreign exchange rates.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Equity trading value / GDP

187.93 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Equity trading value / GDP1975: 11.07; 2025: 187.9305010015020019801990200020102020

Annual value of domestic and foreign shares traded divided by GDP, counting one side of each transaction. Trading volume is neither market capitalisation nor invested savings. Source definition: The value of shares traded is the total number of shares traded, both domestic and foreign, multiplied by their respective matching prices. Figures are single counted (only one side of the transaction is considered). Companies admitted to listing and admitted to trading are included in the data. Data are end of year values.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Domestic equity turnover ratio

117.02 % per year latest value, 2024

Japan: Domestic equity turnover ratio1975: 42.46; 2024: 117.02020040060019801990200020102020

Domestic shares traded relative to their capitalisation; WDI annualises the monthly average by multiplying by 12. High turnover measures trading activity, not investment return. Source definition: Turnover ratio is the value of domestic shares traded divided by their market capitalization. The value is annualized by multiplying the monthly average by 12.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Listed domestic companies

3,942 companies latest value, 2025

Japan: Listed domestic companies1975: 1,398; 2025: 3,94201,0002,0003,0004,00019801990200020102020

Companies with listed shares at year end, including foreign companies exclusively listed locally. Multiple share classes count as one company; investment funds are excluded. Source definition: Listed domestic companies, including foreign companies which are exclusively listed, are those which have shares listed on an exchange at the end of the year. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies, such as holding companies and investment companies, regardless of their legal status, are excluded. A company with several classes of shares is counted once. Only companies admitted to listing on the exchange are included.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Private-sector credit / GDP

187.41 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Private-sector credit / GDP1970: 103.78; 2025: 187.41050100150200250197019801990200020102020

Financial resources supplied to the private sector by financial corporations relative to GDP. Includes loans and other debt claims; country coverage differs. Neither government debt nor mortgages alone. Source definition: Domestic credit to private sector refers to financial resources provided to the private sector by financial corporations, such as through loans, purchases of nonequity securities, and trade credits and other accounts receivable, that establish a claim for repayment. For some countries these claims include credit to public enterprises. The financial corporations include monetary authorities and deposit money banks, as well as other financial corporations where data are available (including corporations that do not accept transferable deposits but do incur such liabilities as time and savings deposits). Examples of other financial corporations are finance and leasing companies, money lenders, insurance corporations, pension funds, and foreign exchange companies. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Bank nonperforming loans

1.23 % of gross loans latest value, 2022

Japan: Bank nonperforming loans2010: 2.46; 2022: 1.2300.511.522.5201020152020

Loans 90+ days overdue or unlikely to be repaid in full divided by gross loans, before provisions and collateral deductions. National rules and coverage can differ. Source definition: The indicator measures the proportion of a deposit taker’s loan portfolio that is impaired or at risk of default. It is calculated as the ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) to total gross loans, where NPLs are defined as loans that are past due by 90 days or more or are otherwise considered unlikely to be repaid in full without the realization of collateral. Both non-performing loans and total gross loans should be reported at their gross book value, without deducting for loan-loss provisions or collateral. This indicator provides a key measure of asset quality and potential credit risk in the banking system.

Source: World Bank WDI: financial markets (WFE, IMF)

Equities: latest month (OECD)

263.29 2015 = 100 latest value, 2026

Japan: Equities: latest month (OECD)1959: 4.58; 2026: 263.2901002003001960197019801990200020102020

The annual axis selects the last published month of each year, labelled with its actual date. The current year is incomplete; this is neither a full-year mean nor a live quote. OECD national indices, normally monthly means of daily closes, 2015 = 100. Index composition differs across countries; dividends are not added. Index changes are not total-market capitalisation growth. Monthly averages smooth intramonth falls.

Source: OECD: monthly financial markets, national sources

Long-term yields: latest month (OECD)

3.05 % per year latest value, 2026

Japan: Long-term yields: latest month (OECD)1989: 5.52; 2026: 3.05024681990200020102020

The annual axis selects the last published month of each year, labelled with its actual date. The current year is incomplete; this is neither a full-year mean nor a live quote. National-currency long-term government bond rates, normally around ten years, monthly national-source observations. Maturity, coverage and methodology vary by country. A quoted yield is not investor total return.

Source: OECD: monthly financial markets, national sources

Nominal residential property prices

144.74 index, 2010 = 100 latest value, 2025

Japan: Nominal residential property prices1955: 2.32; 2025: 144.740501001502001960197019801990200020102020

BIS residential property prices in local currency, without inflation adjustment. Mean of four quarters; incomplete years omitted. Housing coverage and methods differ across countries. Compare with BIS real prices; excludes rental income and does not establish a bubble.

Source: BIS: nominal and real residential property prices

Industry and waste

Municipal waste per person

313 kg per person a year latest value, 2023

Japan: Municipal waste per person1980: 371; 2023: 313010020030040050019801990200020102020

Municipal waste generated in the year per inhabitant. Municipal waste is collected by or on behalf of municipalities: household waste and similar waste of shops, offices and institutions. Industrial, construction and mining waste are outside it; national scopes differ. OECD, MUNW.

Source: OECD, Municipal waste: generation and treatment (MUNW)

Municipal waste landfilled

0.8 % of treated latest value, 2023

Japan: Municipal waste landfilled1985: 85.9; 2023: 0.80204060801001990200020102020

Landfill as a share of municipal waste treated in the year. Municipal waste is collected by or on behalf of municipalities: household waste and similar waste of shops, offices and institutions. Industrial, construction and mining waste are outside it; national scopes differ. OECD, MUNW.

Source: OECD, Municipal waste: generation and treatment (MUNW)

Municipal waste recycled

19.1 % of treated latest value, 2023

Japan: Municipal waste recycled1985: 12.7; 2023: 19.10102030401990200020102020

Material recycling (composting excluded) as a share of municipal waste treated in the year, as reported by the country; not the secondary material finally produced. Municipal waste is collected by or on behalf of municipalities: household waste and similar waste of shops, offices and institutions. Industrial, construction and mining waste are outside it; national scopes differ. OECD, MUNW.

Source: OECD, Municipal waste: generation and treatment (MUNW)

Municipal waste composted

0.3 % of treated latest value, 2023

Japan: Municipal waste composted2011: 0.3; 2023: 0.300.10.20.30.40.520152020

Composting and digestion as a share of municipal waste treated in the year. Municipal waste is collected by or on behalf of municipalities: household waste and similar waste of shops, offices and institutions. Industrial, construction and mining waste are outside it; national scopes differ. OECD, MUNW.

Source: OECD, Municipal waste: generation and treatment (MUNW)

Municipal waste incinerated

79.8 % of treated latest value, 2023

Japan: Municipal waste incinerated1985: 0; 2023: 79.80204060801990200020102020

Incineration, with and without energy recovery, as a share of municipal waste treated in the year. Municipal waste is collected by or on behalf of municipalities: household waste and similar waste of shops, offices and institutions. Industrial, construction and mining waste are outside it; national scopes differ. OECD, MUNW.

Source: OECD, Municipal waste: generation and treatment (MUNW)

Industrial production (OECD index)

91.9 index, 2015 = 100 latest value, 2025

Japan: Industrial production (OECD index)1955: 6.3; 2025: 91.90501001501960197019801990200020102020

Industrial output volume — mining, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water (ISIC B-E), annual average, 2015 = 100. It tracks physical volume, not revenue; compare countries by their change, not by their level. OECD short-term statistics (production volume, not seasonally adjusted).

Source: OECD short-term statistics: industrial production index

Manufacturing, share of GDP

18.8 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Manufacturing, share of GDP1994: 23.4; 2024: 18.80510152025199520002005201020152020

Manufacturing value added (ISIC section C: factories, excluding mining, utilities and construction) as a percentage of GDP. The share can fall while output grows if the rest of the economy grows faster. World Bank, WDI. Source note: Manufacturing includes industries classified in ISIC (Rev. 3) major division C and is defined as the physical or chemical transformation of materials or components into new products. Value added is the contribution to the economy by a producer or an industry or an institutional sector, which is estimated by the total value of output produced and deducting the total value of intermediate consumption of goods and services used to produce that output. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.

Source: World Bank WDI: national accounts (industry)

Industry incl. construction, share of GDP

26.8 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Japan: Industry incl. construction, share of GDP1994: 34.8; 2024: 26.8010203040199520002005201020152020

Value added of industry in the broad sense (mining, manufacturing, utilities and construction; ISIC B-F) as a percentage of GDP. World Bank, WDI. Source note: Industry (including construction) corresponds to ISIC (Rev.4) divisions 05-43. It is comprised of mining, manufacturing, construction, electricity, water, and gas industries. Value added is the contribution to the economy by a producer or an industry or an institutional sector, which is estimated by the total value of output produced and deducting the total value of intermediate consumption of goods and services used to produce that output. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.

Source: World Bank WDI: national accounts (industry)

Manufacturing value added per person

7,559 constant 2015 US$ per person latest value, 2024

Japan: Manufacturing value added per person1994: 5,686; 2024: 7,55902,0004,0006,0008,00010,000199520002005201020152020

Manufacturing value added at constant 2015 US dollars divided by population (UN WPP 2024): factory output net of inputs, not revenue. World Bank, WDI. Source note: Manufacturing includes industries classified in ISIC (Rev. 3) major division C and is defined as the physical or chemical transformation of materials or components into new products. Value added is the contribution to the economy by a producer or an industry or an institutional sector, which is estimated by the total value of output produced and deducting the total value of intermediate consumption of goods and services used to produce that output. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment is 2015. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.

Source: World Bank WDI: national accounts (industry)

Manufacturing value added per person (UNIDO)

9,331 constant 2020 US$ per person latest value, 2025

Japan: Manufacturing value added per person (UNIDO)2000: 6,872; 2025: 9,33102,0004,0006,0008,00010,000200020052010201520202025

Manufacturing value added (ISIC section C) per person at constant 2020 US dollars. UNIDO National Accounts Database via the UN SDG database (indicator 9.2.1). Differs from the World Bank series by its base year (2020 rather than 2015) and UNIDO estimates for countries without recent accounts. Series: Manufacturing value added per capita (constant 2020 United States dollars).

Source: UNIDO via the UN SDG database: manufacturing value added

Manufacturing, share of GDP (UNIDO)

21.4 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Japan: Manufacturing, share of GDP (UNIDO)2000: 19; 2025: 21.40510152025200020052010201520202025

Manufacturing value added as a percentage of GDP, constant prices. UNIDO via the UN SDG database (indicator 9.2.1). Series: Manufacturing value added (constant 2020 United States dollars) as a proportion of GDP (%).

Source: UNIDO via the UN SDG database: manufacturing value added

Coal production

0.5 million tonnes a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Coal production1981: 17.7; 2025: 0.5051015201990200020102020

Hard coal and lignite in physical tonnes (not adjusted for energy content), million tonnes a year. Source: Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026 (via the Our World in Data copy).

Source: Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy 2026

Crude steel production

80.7 million tonnes a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Crude steel production2017: 104.7; 2025: 80.705010015020202025

Crude steel output by all processes (basic oxygen and electric arc furnaces), million tonnes a year. The 20 largest producers of the latest year and the world; each year from the newest World Steel in Figures edition. Source: World Steel Association.

Source: World Steel Association: World Steel in Figures and Short Range Outlook

Cement production

44,000 thousand tonnes a year latest value, 2025

Japan: Cement production2018: 55,300; 2025: 44,000020,00040,00060,00020202025

Portland and other hydraulic cement, thousand tonnes a year. USGS rounds large values (China to 100 million tonnes); the latest year of each edition is an estimate. US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries.

Source: US Geological Survey: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020–2026

E-waste generated

21.1 kg per person a year latest value, 2022

Japan: E-waste generated2010: 17.8; 2022: 21.10510152025201020152020

Discarded electrical and electronic equipment — from phones and lamps to fridges and solar panels — kg per person a year. A UNITAR model estimate from sales and lifetimes, not weighed waste. UNITAR (Global E-waste Monitor) via the UN SDG database.

Source: UNITAR Global E-waste Monitor via the UN SDG database

E-waste formally collected

4.8 kg per person a year latest value, 2022

Japan: E-waste formally collected2010: 7; 2022: 4.802468201020152020

E-waste collected and documented by formal take-back systems, kg per person a year. Collected is not recycled: part is exported or lost; undocumented collection and recycling are not included. UNITAR (Global E-waste Monitor) via the UN SDG database.

Source: UNITAR Global E-waste Monitor via the UN SDG database

E-waste recycled

4.8 kg per person a year latest value, 2022

Japan: E-waste recycled2010: 7; 2022: 4.802468201020152020

E-waste recycled in documented, environmentally sound conditions, kg per person a year. UNITAR (Global E-waste Monitor) via the UN SDG database.

Source: UNITAR Global E-waste Monitor via the UN SDG database

Municipal waste per person (World Bank)

322 kg per person a year latest value, 2022

Japan: Municipal waste per person (World Bank)2022: 322; 2022: 32201002003004002020

Municipal solid waste generation, kg per person a year (kg a day × 365). Municipal solid waste: households plus similar waste from shops, institutions and streets — excluding industrial, construction and mining waste. One reported year a country, the years differ. World Bank, What a Waste 3.0 (2026).

Source: World Bank: What a Waste 3.0 (2026)

Municipal waste left uncollected

0 % of municipal waste generated latest value, 2022

Japan: Municipal waste left uncollected2022: 0; 2022: 000002020

Share of municipal waste that is not collected: burned, buried or dumped where it is generated. Municipal solid waste: households plus similar waste from shops, institutions and streets — excluding industrial, construction and mining waste. One reported year a country, the years differ. World Bank, What a Waste 3.0 (2026).

Source: World Bank: What a Waste 3.0 (2026)

Municipal waste sent to recycling

16 % of municipal waste latest value, 2022

Japan: Municipal waste sent to recycling2022: 16; 2022: 16051015202020

Share of municipal waste sent to recycling, as reported by the country. Sent is not the same as recycled: sorting rejects and exports are included; composting and incineration are not. Municipal solid waste: households plus similar waste from shops, institutions and streets — excluding industrial, construction and mining waste. One reported year a country, the years differ. World Bank, What a Waste 3.0 (2026).

Source: World Bank: What a Waste 3.0 (2026)

Education and skills

PISA: reading, mean score of 15-year-olds

516 PISA points latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: reading, mean score of 15-year-olds2000: 522; 2022: 516020040060020002005201020152020

Mean score in the OECD PISA test of reading literacy. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. PISA scale: in the cycle when the domain was first the major one (2000) the OECD mean = 500, standard deviation = 100; the series is comparable from 2000. A 10-15 point change between cycles is often within the error (standard errors and significance are in the education_pisa dataset). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: mathematics, mean score of 15-year-olds

536 PISA points latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: mathematics, mean score of 15-year-olds2003: 534; 2022: 53602004006002005201020152020

Mean score in the OECD PISA test of mathematical literacy. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. PISA scale: in the cycle when the domain was first the major one (2003) the OECD mean = 500, standard deviation = 100; the series is comparable from 2003. A 10-15 point change between cycles is often within the error (standard errors and significance are in the education_pisa dataset). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: science, mean score of 15-year-olds

547 PISA points latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: science, mean score of 15-year-olds2006: 531; 2022: 5470200400600201020152020

Mean score in the OECD PISA test of scientific literacy. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. PISA scale: in the cycle when the domain was first the major one (2006) the OECD mean = 500, standard deviation = 100; the series is comparable from 2006. A 10-15 point change between cycles is often within the error (standard errors and significance are in the education_pisa dataset). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: reading, share of 15-year-olds below baseline

13.8 % of students latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: reading, share of 15-year-olds below baseline2009: 13.6; 2022: 13.805101520201020152020

Share of 15-year-olds who did not reach Level 2 in the PISA reading literacy test (below 407 points) — the level the OECD treats as the baseline for full participation in life and learning. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. Shares are comparable from 2009 (for reading, the latest OECD reports give shares only from 2009). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: mathematics, share of 15-year-olds below baseline

12 % of students latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: mathematics, share of 15-year-olds below baseline2003: 13.3; 2022: 120510152005201020152020

Share of 15-year-olds who did not reach Level 2 in the PISA mathematical literacy test (below 420 points) — the level the OECD treats as the baseline for full participation in life and learning. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. Shares are comparable from 2003 (for reading, the latest OECD reports give shares only from 2009). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: science, share of 15-year-olds below baseline

8 % of students latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: science, share of 15-year-olds below baseline2006: 12; 2022: 8051015201020152020

Share of 15-year-olds who did not reach Level 2 in the PISA scientific literacy test (below 410 points) — the level the OECD treats as the baseline for full participation in life and learning. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. Shares are comparable from 2006 (for reading, the latest OECD reports give shares only from 2009). In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

PISA: mathematics, share of top performers (Levels 5-6)

23 % of students latest value, 2022

Japan: PISA: mathematics, share of top performers (Levels 5-6)2003: 24.3; 2022: 2305101520252005201020152020

Share of 15-year-olds reaching Level 5 or 6 in the PISA mathematics test (607 points or more): they solve complex modelling and reasoning tasks. Tested: 15-year-old students (aged 15y3m-16y2m, grade 7 or above), a sample in each country; every three years, the 2021 cycle postponed to 2022 because of COVID. Shares are comparable from 2003. In 2015 the test moved from paper to computer and to a new scaling model: the link to earlier cycles holds, with a link error of a few points. In 2022 several countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and others) missed sampling standards — compare with caution. Values come from the trend tables of the latest OECD report listing the country (PISA 2022, else 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009 Vol. V). China took part only as provinces (B-S-J-G/Z, Shanghai), not shown here; Russia took part 2000-2018, not in 2022; Argentina, Kazakhstan and Malaysia 2015 are not comparable and not shown, nor is Viet Nam reading 2022. Source: OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Vol. I.

Source: OECD, PISA — Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2009-2022 results, StatLink tables)

TIMSS: mathematics, grade 4

591 TIMSS score latest value, 2023

Japan: TIMSS: mathematics, grade 41995: 567; 2023: 5910200400600199520002005201020152020

Average score of students in their fourth year of school (usually grade 4, about 10 years old) in the international TIMSS mathematics test. The TIMSS scale was set in 1995: 500 is the mean of that cycle's countries and 100 points is one standard deviation; the test is repeated every 4 years, and a country's scores from different cycles are comparable when IEA includes them in its trend table. Year is the test year. In 2019 about half the countries tested on computer (eTIMSS), linked to paper through a bridge sample; in 2023 almost all did. Some countries test the next grade up (Norway, South Africa, Turkey) to keep the average age above the IEA minimum. Values IEA flags as not reliably measured (more than 25% of students too low to estimate) are left out. Russia took part until 2019 and is not in TIMSS 2023. Figures come from the TIMSS 2023 trend tables; for countries absent in 2023, from the TIMSS 2019 report. Source: IEA, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.

Source: IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

TIMSS: mathematics, grade 8

595 TIMSS score latest value, 2023

Japan: TIMSS: mathematics, grade 81995: 581; 2023: 5950200400600199520002005201020152020

Average score of students in their eighth year of school (usually grade 8, about 14 years old) in the international TIMSS mathematics test. The TIMSS scale was set in 1995: 500 is the mean of that cycle's countries and 100 points is one standard deviation; the test is repeated every 4 years, and a country's scores from different cycles are comparable when IEA includes them in its trend table. Year is the test year. In 2019 about half the countries tested on computer (eTIMSS), linked to paper through a bridge sample; in 2023 almost all did. Some countries test the next grade up (Norway, South Africa, Turkey) to keep the average age above the IEA minimum. Values IEA flags as not reliably measured (more than 25% of students too low to estimate) are left out. Russia took part until 2019 and is not in TIMSS 2023. Figures come from the TIMSS 2023 trend tables; for countries absent in 2023, from the TIMSS 2019 report. Source: IEA, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.

Source: IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

TIMSS: grade 8 students below the Low benchmark in mathematics

1 % of students latest value, 2023

Japan: TIMSS: grade 8 students below the Low benchmark in mathematics1995: 2; 2023: 101234199520002005201020152020

Share of students in their eighth year of school (about 14) who score below 400 TIMSS points in mathematics, the Low International Benchmark: basic whole-number operations and reading simple graphs. Computed as 100 minus the IEA-published percentage reaching 400 (whole percentages). The TIMSS scale was set in 1995: 500 is the mean of that cycle's countries and 100 points is one standard deviation; the test is repeated every 4 years, and a country's scores from different cycles are comparable when IEA includes them in its trend table. Year is the test year. In 2019 about half the countries tested on computer (eTIMSS), linked to paper through a bridge sample; in 2023 almost all did. Some countries test the next grade up (Norway, South Africa, Turkey) to keep the average age above the IEA minimum. Values IEA flags as not reliably measured (more than 25% of students too low to estimate) are left out. Russia took part until 2019 and is not in TIMSS 2023. Figures come from the TIMSS 2023 trend tables; for countries absent in 2023, from the TIMSS 2019 report. Source: IEA, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.

Source: IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

TIMSS: science, grade 4

555 TIMSS score latest value, 2023

Japan: TIMSS: science, grade 41995: 553; 2023: 5550200400600199520002005201020152020

Average score of students in their fourth year of school (usually grade 4, about 10 years old) in the international TIMSS science test. The TIMSS scale was set in 1995: 500 is the mean of that cycle's countries and 100 points is one standard deviation; the test is repeated every 4 years, and a country's scores from different cycles are comparable when IEA includes them in its trend table. Year is the test year. In 2019 about half the countries tested on computer (eTIMSS), linked to paper through a bridge sample; in 2023 almost all did. Some countries test the next grade up (Norway, South Africa, Turkey) to keep the average age above the IEA minimum. Values IEA flags as not reliably measured (more than 25% of students too low to estimate) are left out. Russia took part until 2019 and is not in TIMSS 2023. Figures come from the TIMSS 2023 trend tables; for countries absent in 2023, from the TIMSS 2019 report. Source: IEA, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.

Source: IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

TIMSS: science, grade 8

557 TIMSS score latest value, 2023

Japan: TIMSS: science, grade 81995: 554; 2023: 5570200400600199520002005201020152020

Average score of students in their eighth year of school (usually grade 8, about 14 years old) in the international TIMSS science test. The TIMSS scale was set in 1995: 500 is the mean of that cycle's countries and 100 points is one standard deviation; the test is repeated every 4 years, and a country's scores from different cycles are comparable when IEA includes them in its trend table. Year is the test year. In 2019 about half the countries tested on computer (eTIMSS), linked to paper through a bridge sample; in 2023 almost all did. Some countries test the next grade up (Norway, South Africa, Turkey) to keep the average age above the IEA minimum. Values IEA flags as not reliably measured (more than 25% of students too low to estimate) are left out. Russia took part until 2019 and is not in TIMSS 2023. Figures come from the TIMSS 2023 trend tables; for countries absent in 2023, from the TIMSS 2019 report. Source: IEA, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.

Source: IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Adult literacy (PIAAC)

291 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Adult literacy (PIAAC)2012: 296; 2023: 291010020030020152020

Mean literacy score of adults aged 16-65 in the OECD PIAAC test (reading and understanding texts). Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Adult numeracy (PIAAC)

292 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Adult numeracy (PIAAC)2012: 288; 2023: 292010020030020152020

Mean numeracy score of adults aged 16-65 in the OECD PIAAC test. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Literacy of young adults aged 16-24 (PIAAC)

300 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Literacy of young adults aged 16-24 (PIAAC)2012: 299; 2023: 300010020030040020152020

Mean literacy score of 16-24 year-olds. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Literacy of adults aged 55-65 (PIAAC)

268 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Literacy of adults aged 55-65 (PIAAC)2012: 273; 2023: 268010020030020152020

Mean literacy score of 55-65 year-olds. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Numeracy of young adults aged 16-24 (PIAAC)

300 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Numeracy of young adults aged 16-24 (PIAAC)2012: 283; 2023: 300010020030040020152020

Mean numeracy score of 16-24 year-olds. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Numeracy of adults aged 55-65 (PIAAC)

278 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Numeracy of adults aged 55-65 (PIAAC)2012: 273; 2023: 278010020030020152020

Mean numeracy score of 55-65 year-olds. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Adults with low literacy (PIAAC)

9.5 % of adults 16-65 latest value, 2023

Japan: Adults with low literacy (PIAAC)2012: 4.9; 2023: 9.5024681020152020

Share of adults aged 16-65 at Level 1 or below in PIAAC literacy: they can handle only short, simple texts. In cycle 1 the share is of adults with a score (missing cases for language or reading difficulties excluded), as in the OECD 2023 trend tables. Adults aged 16-65, PIAAC scale 0-500. Year = year of data collection: cycle 1 - 2012 (Russia, Japan, Finland, US, ...), 2015 (Chile, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, Turkey), 2017 (Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Kazakhstan and a separate US sample); cycle 2 - 2023 (fieldwork 2022-23, tablets only). The OECD treats literacy and numeracy as comparable across cycles (linked scales); the linking error is about 3 points. Cycle 1 values are as originally published (the 2023 report did not re-estimate them). For countries in both cycles 2023 excludes adults who only did the doorstep interview because of a language barrier, as in the OECD trend tables; for cycle-2-only countries (Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia) the headline values are used. Belgium (only Flanders took part) and the UK (England, Northern Ireland) are not in the catalog. Russia: 2012, sample without Moscow; Russia did not take part in cycle 2.

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Adaptive problem solving of adults (PIAAC)

276 PIAAC score points latest value, 2023

Japan: Adaptive problem solving of adults (PIAAC)2023: 276; 2023: 27601002003002020

Mean adaptive problem solving score of adults aged 16-65 - a new domain of PIAAC cycle 2 (2023): solving problems whose conditions change along the way. 2023 only: cycle 1 problem solving in technology-rich environments is a different domain with no common items, and the OECD says the two are not comparable. Values include adults who only did the doorstep interview (headline values of the report). Belgium and the UK are not included (only Flanders and England took part).

Source: OECD, PIAAC - Survey of Adult Skills

Education and work

Unemployment aged 25-34: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) (OECD)

4.9 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Japan: Unemployment aged 25-34: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) (OECD)2025: 4.9; 2025: 4.901234520202025

Unemployed as a share of the labour force, people aged 25-34 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) education. OECD Education at a Glance, from national labour force surveys. Standard errors (mostly from 2015) and break flags are in the labour_education_oecd dataset. The OECD age band 25-34 differs from Eurostat's 25-29.

Source: OECD — Education at a Glance database, labour market outcomes by educational attainment

Unemployment aged 25-34: tertiary (ISCED 5-8) (OECD)

2.5 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Japan: Unemployment aged 25-34: tertiary (ISCED 5-8) (OECD)1997: 2.8; 2025: 2.50246200020052010201520202025

Unemployed as a share of the labour force, people aged 25-34 with tertiary (ISCED 5-8) education. OECD Education at a Glance, from national labour force surveys. Standard errors (mostly from 2015) and break flags are in the labour_education_oecd dataset. The OECD age band 25-34 differs from Eurostat's 25-29.

Source: OECD — Education at a Glance database, labour market outcomes by educational attainment

Employment aged 25-34: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) (OECD)

84.3 % of population latest value, 2025

Japan: Employment aged 25-34: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) (OECD)2025: 84.3; 2025: 84.302040608010020202025

Employed as a share of the whole population, people aged 25-34 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 3-4) education. OECD Education at a Glance, from national labour force surveys. Standard errors (mostly from 2015) and break flags are in the labour_education_oecd dataset. The OECD age band 25-34 differs from Eurostat's 25-29.

Source: OECD — Education at a Glance database, labour market outcomes by educational attainment

Employment aged 25-34: tertiary (ISCED 5-8) (OECD)

91.2 % of population latest value, 2025

Japan: Employment aged 25-34: tertiary (ISCED 5-8) (OECD)1997: 80.3; 2025: 91.2020406080100200020052010201520202025

Employed as a share of the whole population, people aged 25-34 with tertiary (ISCED 5-8) education. OECD Education at a Glance, from national labour force surveys. Standard errors (mostly from 2015) and break flags are in the labour_education_oecd dataset. The OECD age band 25-34 differs from Eurostat's 25-29.

Source: OECD — Education at a Glance database, labour market outcomes by educational attainment

Unemployment aged 25 and over: intermediate education (ILO)

2.9 % of labour force latest value, 2020

Japan: Unemployment aged 25 and over: intermediate education (ILO)2009: 5.4; 2020: 2.90246201020152020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force, people aged 25 and over with intermediate education. ILO (ILOSTAT) from national labour force and other surveys: a country appears only in years with a survey; these are not ILO modelled estimates. Levels are the ILO aggregate of national classifications (by ISCED): basic up to lower secondary, intermediate upper secondary and post-secondary, advanced tertiary. Unreliable flags and survey type are in the labour_education_ilostat dataset. Source: ILO, UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_EDU_RT_A.

Source: ILO, ILOSTAT — unemployment and employment by level of education (national surveys)

Unemployment aged 25 and over: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)

2.4 % of labour force latest value, 2020

Japan: Unemployment aged 25 and over: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)2009: 3.9; 2020: 2.4012345201020152020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force, people aged 25 and over with advanced (tertiary) education. ILO (ILOSTAT) from national labour force and other surveys: a country appears only in years with a survey; these are not ILO modelled estimates. Levels are the ILO aggregate of national classifications (by ISCED): basic up to lower secondary, intermediate upper secondary and post-secondary, advanced tertiary. Unreliable flags and survey type are in the labour_education_ilostat dataset. Source: ILO, UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_EDU_RT_A.

Source: ILO, ILOSTAT — unemployment and employment by level of education (national surveys)

Unemployment aged 15-24: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)

3.9 % of labour force latest value, 2020

Japan: Unemployment aged 15-24: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)2009: 3.3; 2020: 3.902468201020152020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force, people aged 15-24 with advanced (tertiary) education. ILO (ILOSTAT) from national labour force and other surveys: a country appears only in years with a survey; these are not ILO modelled estimates. Levels are the ILO aggregate of national classifications (by ISCED): basic up to lower secondary, intermediate upper secondary and post-secondary, advanced tertiary. Unreliable flags and survey type are in the labour_education_ilostat dataset. Source: ILO, UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_EDU_RT_A.

Source: ILO, ILOSTAT — unemployment and employment by level of education (national surveys)

Employment aged 25 and over: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)

75.8 % of population latest value, 2020

Japan: Employment aged 25 and over: advanced (tertiary) education (ILO)2012: 73.7; 2020: 75.802040608020152020

Employed as a share of the population, people aged 25 and over with advanced (tertiary) education. ILO (ILOSTAT) from national labour force and other surveys: a country appears only in years with a survey; these are not ILO modelled estimates. Levels are the ILO aggregate of national classifications (by ISCED): basic up to lower secondary, intermediate upper secondary and post-secondary, advanced tertiary. Unreliable flags and survey type are in the labour_education_ilostat dataset. Source: ILO, EMP_DWAP_SEX_AGE_EDU_RT_A.

Source: ILO, ILOSTAT — unemployment and employment by level of education (national surveys)

In-depth checks

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Same region: Asia