World · permanent entity record · JA
Japan
Thirty-second orientation
Japan at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Japanese (singular and plural); adjective: Japanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Japan through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Japan became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,366,734World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 123,201,945 (2024 est.) male: 59,875,269 female: 63,326,676CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-09 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $4.44 trillion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $35,951
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 84.0 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 92.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 85.5%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Tokyo
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 377,915 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 123,366,734
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- yen (JPY)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Japanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Japanese (singular and plural); adjective: Japanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Asia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “East and Southeast Asia.”
- Coastline
- 29,751 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.) note: total adherents among persons claiming a religious affiliation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- white, red
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- red sun disc, chrysanthemum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Nationally recognized
- Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, notably for the celebration of New Year — inscribed 2013
- UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity · Inscribed heritage: a recognition this state sought and obtained, dated by its inscription on the Representative List.
- Highest point
- Mount Fuji · 12,388 ft (3,776 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Hachiro-gata · -13 ft (-4 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries, this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32, Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937, it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941, triggering America's entry into World War II, and Japan soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, the country recovered to become an economic power and a US ally. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold the decision-making power. After three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake and an accompanying tsunami devastated the northeast part of Honshu, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. ABE Shinzo was reelected as prime minister in 2012, and he embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing. In 2019, ABE became Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister; he resigned in 2020 and was succeeded by SUGA Yoshihide. KISHIDA Fumio became prime minister in 2021.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography18 fields
- Location
- Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 377,915 sq km land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than California
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and the Korea and Tsushima Straits contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m mean elevation: 438 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is almost totally dependent on imported sources of energy
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 12.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 68.3% (2023 est.) other: 19% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major lakes (area sq km)
- fresh water lake(s): Biwa-ko 688 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama (Honshu Island's most active volcano), Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; see note 2 under "Geography - note"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- note 1: strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands (the "Home Islands") -- Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest, most populous, and site of Tokyo, the capital), Shikoku, and Kyushu note 2: a 2023 Geospatial Information Authority of Japan survey detected 100,000 islands and islets, but only the 14,125 islands with a circumference of at least 100 m (330 ft) were officially counted; about 260 of the islands are inhabited note 3: Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society33 fields
- Population
- total: 123,201,945 (2024 est.) male: 59,875,269 female: 63,326,676
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Japanese 97.5%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnam 0.4%, South Korean 0.3%, other 1.2% (includes Filipino, Brazilian, Nepalese, Indonesian, American, and Taiwanese) (2022 est.) note: data represent population by nationality; up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Japanese major-language sample(s): 必要不可欠な基本情報の源、ワールド・ファクトブック(Japanese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.) note: total adherents among persons claiming a religious affiliation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 12.1% (male 7,701,196/female 7,239,389) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 36,197,840/female 35,777,966) 65 years and over: 29.5% (2024 est.) (male 15,976,233/female 20,309,321)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 71.2 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.8 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 50.4 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 2 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 50.2 years (2025 est.) male: 48.3 years female: 51.3 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 6.84 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 92% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.25% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 37.194 million TOKYO (capital), 19.013 million Osaka, 9.569 million Nagoya, 5.490 million Kitakyushu-Fukuoka, 2.937 million Shizuoka-Hamamatsu, 2.666 million Sapporo (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 30.7 years (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 85.2 years (2024 est.) male: 82.3 years female: 88.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.41 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 10.8% of GDP (2021) 23.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 2.65 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 12.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 8.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.63 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 15.5% (2025 est.) male: 24.4% (2025 est.) female: 7.2% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 50% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 3.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 7.5% national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 16 years (2022 est.) male: 16 years (2022 est.) female: 16 years (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment12 fields
- Environmental issues
- air pollution from power plants results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality; waste management issues; ongoing environmental clean-up in small area of Fukushima after nuclear accident in 2011
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 12.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 68.3% (2023 est.) other: 19% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 92% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.25% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 960.23 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 367.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 403.042 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 190.043 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 214.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 972.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 208.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 22.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 42.72 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 11.5% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 13.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 13 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 53 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 430 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geoparks
- total global geoparks and regional networks: 10 global geoparks and regional networks: Aso UNESCO; Hakusan Tedorigawa; Itoigawa; Izu Peninsula; Mt. Apoi; Muroto; Oki Islands; San'in Kaigan; Toya - Usu; Unzen (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government26 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon etymology: the English word for Japan comes from the Chinese name for the country, Cipangu; both Nihon and Nippon come from the Japanese words nichi, or "sun," and hon, or "origin," which is frequently translated as "Land of the Rising Sun"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: originally known as Edo, meaning "estuary" because of its location on a bay; the name was changed to Tokyo, meaning "eastern capital," in 1868, as a contrast to Kyoto, the previous capital to the west
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- civil law system based on German model; also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 amendment process: proposed by the Diet; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of both houses of the Diet and approval by majority in a referendum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Sanae TAKAICHI (since 21 October 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister election results: 2025: Sanae TAKAICHI (LDP) elected prime minister on 21 October 2025; upper house vote - 125 of 171 votes (runoff); lower house vote - 237 of 386 votes 2024: Shigeru ISHIBA (LDP) elected prime minister on 27 September 2024; upper house vote - 143 of 242 votes; lower house vote - 291 of 461 votes note: Shigeru ISHIBA resigned as prime minister on 7 September 2025; the party vote on the new prime minister is expected in early October 2025
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: National Diet (Kokkai) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: House of Representatives (Shugiin) number of seats: 465 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 7/20/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) (191); Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (148); Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) (38); Democratic Party for the People (28); Komeito (24); Other (36) percentage of women in chamber: 15.7% expected date of next election: October 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: House of Councillors (Sangiin) number of seats: 248 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 10/27/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) (39); Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (22); Democratic Party for the People (17); Sanseito (14); Komeito (8); Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) (7); Independents (8); Other (10) percentage of women in chamber: 29.4% expected date of next election: June 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum during the first general election of the House of Representatives after each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho) note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Conservative Party of Japan or CPJ Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or CDP Democratic Party for the People or DPFP or DPP Japan Communist Party or JCP Japan Innovation Party or Nippon Ishin no kai or Ishin Komeito or Komei Liberal Democratic Party or LDP Okinawa Social Mass Party or Okinawa Whirlwind or OW Party to Protect the People from NHK or NHK Reiwa Shinsengumi Sanseito Party Social Democratic Party or SDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador YAMADA Shigeo (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 email address and website: emb-consulate.dc@ws.mofa.go.jp https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html consulate(s) general: Chicago consulate(s): Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Seattle (WA)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador George GLASS (since 17 July 2025) embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: 9800 Tokyo Place, Washington DC 20521-9800 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3224-5856 email address and website: TokyoACS@state.gov https://jp.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Quad, SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 11 February 660 B.C. (mythological date of Emperor JIMMU founding the nation); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Birthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960) note: celebrates the birthday of the current emperor
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: white with a large red disk that symbolizes the sun without rays, in the center history: the current flag was adopted in 1854, but a sun flag has been in use in Japan since at least 1184; the sun has long been a national symbol: according to tradition, the sun goddess Amaterasu founded the country in the 7th century B.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National coat of arms
- the Kikumon is the Japanese emperor's family coat of arms and dates from 1183; the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem (菊の御紋, kikunogomon) is a yellow or orange chrysanthemum with black or red outlines and background; a central disc is surrounded by a front set of 16 petals; a rear set of 16 petals are half-staggered in relation to the front set and are visible at the edges of the flower
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Kimigayo" (“His Majesty’s Reign) lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI history: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; some oppose the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 26 (21 cultural, 5 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Himeji-jo (c); Shiretoko (n); Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan (c); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c); Yakushima (n); Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (c); Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (c); Shirakami-Sanchi (n); Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (c); Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Shrines and Temples of Nikko (c); Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (c); Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (c); Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (c); Ogasawara Islands (n); Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (c); Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (c); Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (n); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy29 fields
- Economic overview
- second-largest East Asian economy; trade-oriented and highly diversified; high public debt levels; following years of near-zero interest rates, gradual increases to address inflation and depreciation of yen; strong rebound in tourism; aging population poses challenges to labor force participation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $5.715 trillion (2024 est.) $5.71 trillion (2023 est.) $5.627 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 0.1% (2024 est.) 1.5% (2023 est.) 0.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $46,100 (2024 est.) $45,900 (2023 est.) $45,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $4.026 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 2.7% (2024 est.) 3.3% (2023 est.) 2.5% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 0.9% (2023 est.) industry: 28.6% (2023 est.) services: 69.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 55.5% (2022 est.) government consumption: 21.6% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.5% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- rice, milk, sugar beets, vegetables, eggs, chicken, potatoes, onions, cabbages, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 1.4% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 69.382 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 2.6% (2024 est.) 2.6% (2023 est.) 2.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 3.9% (2024 est.) male: 4.2% (2024 est.) female: 3.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 32.3 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 15.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.4% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 23.9% (2020 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $661.986 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $897.03 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenditures (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 215.9% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $194.257 billion (2024 est.) $156.592 billion (2023 est.) $90.21 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $922.447 billion (2024 est.) $923.488 billion (2023 est.) $922.813 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- USA 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 6%, S. Korea 6%, Hong Kong 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- cars, integrated circuits, machinery, vehicle parts/accessories, construction vehicles (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $965.047 billion (2024 est.) $996.364 billion (2023 est.) $1.081 trillion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- China 22%, USA 11%, Australia 8%, UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $1.231 trillion (2024 est.) $1.295 trillion (2023 est.) $1.228 trillion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- yen (JPY) per US dollar - 151.366 (2024 est.) 140.491 (2023 est.) 131.498 (2022 est.) 109.754 (2021 est.) 106.775 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy8 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 361.617 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 902.769 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 41.79 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 65.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 8.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 10.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 7.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nuclear energy
- Number of operational nuclear reactors: 14 (2025) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 2 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 12.63GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 5.5% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 27 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- production: 27.657 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 197.612 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 1.615 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 170.874 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 3.14 million bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 44.115 million barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- production: 2.019 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 88.317 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 271.607 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 85.003 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 20.898 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 129.504 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 59.758 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 219 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 168 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- a mix of public and commercial TV and radio stations; 5 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; large number of radio and TV stations; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 47.9 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- JA
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 27,311 km (2015) standard gauge: 4,800 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) narrow gauge: 124 km (2015) 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified) dual gauge: 132 km (2015) 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified) 22,207 km 1.067-mm gauge (15,430 km electrified) 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 5,229 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 166, container ship 49, general cargo 1,893, oil tanker 666, other 2,455
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 163 (2024) large: 11 medium: 26 small: 54 very small: 71 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 99 key ports: Kawasaki Ko, Kobe, Mikawa, Nagasaki, Nagoya Ko, Onomichi-Itozaki, Osaka, Tokyo Ko, Wakamatsu Ko, Wakayama-Shimotsu Ko, Yokohama Ko
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF; includes aviation), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF; includes naval aviation), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2025) note: the Coast Guard is under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; it is barred by law from operating as a military force, but in times of conflict Article 80 of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act permits the transfer of control of the coast guard to the Ministry of Defense with Cabinet approval
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 230-240,000 active Self Defense Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the JSDF is equipped largely with domestically produced weapons platforms; most of its imported arms are from the US; Japan's defense industry is capable of producing a wide range of air, ground, and naval weapons systems; some domestically produced weapons are US-origin and manufactured under license (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-32 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025) note: as of 2023, women made up about 9% of the military's full-time personnel
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- maintains a presence of about 400 military personnel at a permanent base in Djibouti (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) has a range of missions, including territorial defense, monitoring the country’s air and maritime spaces, countering piracy and terrorism, and conducting humanitarian operations; the JSDF exercises regularly with the US military and increasingly with other regional countries, including Australia and the Philippines Japan’s alliance with the US is one of the cornerstones of the country’s security, as well as a large component of the US security posture in Asia; the US-Japan mutual defense treaty grants the US the right to base US military forces in Japan, including aircraft and ships, in return for US security guarantees; the Japanese Government provides approximately $3 billion on average per year to offset the cost of stationing US forces in Japan; in addition, it pays compensation to localities hosting US troops, rent for bases, and costs for new facilities to support the US presence; Japan also has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation Japan was disarmed after its defeat in World War II; shortly after the Korean War began in 1950, US occupation forces in Japan created a 75,000-member lightly armed force called the National Police Reserve; the JSDF was founded in 1954; Article 9 of Japan’s 1947 constitution renounced the use of force as a means of settling international disputes; however, Japan has interpreted Article 9 to mean that it can maintain a military for national defense purposes and, since 1991, has allowed the JSDF to participate in noncombat roles overseas in a number of UN peacekeeping missions and in the US-led coalition in Iraq; in 2014-2015, the Japanese Government reinterpreted the constitution as allowing for "collective self-defense," described as the use of force on others’ behalf if Japan’s security was threatened; in 2022, the government released security policy documents that declared Japan’s intention to develop "counterstrike” capabilities, including armed drones and cruise missiles, and outlined plans to increase Japan’s security-related expenditures to 2% of GDP (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space4 fields
- Space agency/agencies
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA; established in 2003) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Space launch site(s)
- Tanegashima Space Center/Yoshinobu Launch Complex (Kagoshima), Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima), Noshiro Testing Center (Akita) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Space program overview
- has one of the world’s largest and most advanced space programs, with independent capabilities in all areas except autonomous manned space flight; designs, builds, launches, and operates the full spectrum of satellites; designs, builds, and independently launches satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs) and other spacecraft; has a wide range of research and development programs; has an astronaut training program; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project; leads the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, the ESA and its member states, India, Russia, the UAE, the US; has a commercial space industry that develops space-related capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite payloads and subcomponents, and SLVs; in recent years, the Japanese Government has supported space startup companies (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Key space-program milestones
- 1966-1970 - initiated satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and launched first domestically produced satellite (OHSUMI) 1985 - launched two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (Japan’s first missions beyond Earth’s orbit) 1992 - first astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle 1998 - launched its first Mars orbiter (failed to enter orbit) 2003 - launched world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) to return with a sample from an asteroid (2010) 2007 - launched Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission 2010 - launched Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission 2014 - launched asteroid probe with lander/rover (Hayabusa 2); first Japanese International Space Station commander 2018 - launched joint Japan-ESA probe to Mercury (BepiColombo); began operation of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS) 2019 - began participating in US-led lunar orbital station and Moon exploration programs 2024 - soft-landed unmanned spacecraft (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM) on the Moon; conducted first successful test launch of domestically produced H3 medium-lift SLV
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 60,361 (2024 est.) IDPs: 29,244 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 505 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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