Japan

Background

In 1603, following years of civil strife, the Tokugawa shogunate—a dynastic government led by military authority—initiated an extensive era characterized by political stability and a retreat from external influences. This policy allowed Japan to thrive culturally for over two hundred years. The opening of Japan's ports occurred after the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed with the United States in 1854, leading to a period of rapid modernization and industrial advancement. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan emerged as a regional power, successfully defeating both Chinese and Russian forces. The nation subsequently occupied Korea, Formosa (now Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. From 1931 to 1932, Japan took control of Manchuria, and in 1937, it commenced a large-scale invasion of China. The attack on US military forces at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941 precipitated America’s involvement in World War II, resulting in Japan’s occupation of much of East and Southeast Asia. Following its defeat in the war, Japan managed to recover and transform into an economic powerhouse and an ally of the United States.

While the emperor serves as a symbol of national unity, the authority to make decisions lies with elected officials. After experiencing three decades of exceptional growth, Japan's economy began to face significant challenges starting in the 1990s, yet it continues to be recognized as an economic power. In 2011, the most powerful earthquake in Japan's history, along with a subsequent tsunami, wreaked havoc in the northeastern region of Honshu, resulting in thousands of fatalities and severe damage to multiple nuclear power facilities. ABE Shinzo was re-elected as prime minister in 2012, pursuing ambitious reforms focused on economic revitalization and enhancing Japan’s global standing. By 2019, ABE had become the longest-serving prime minister in post-war Japan; he resigned in 2020 and was followed by SUGA Yoshihide. In 2021, KISHIDA Fumio assumed the position of prime minister.

Area

Climate

ranges from tropical in the southern regions to cool temperate in the northern areas

Terrain

predominantly rugged and mountainous terrain

Land use

Location

Located in Eastern Asia, this island chain is situated between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, to the east of the Korean Peninsula

Coastline

29,751 km

Elevation

Irrigated land

15,730 sq km (2014)

Map references

Asia

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

features numerous dormant and some active volcanoes; experiences approximately 1,500 seismic events annually (mainly tremors, with occasional severe earthquakes); also faces tsunamis and typhoons

volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), located near the populous city of Kagoshima, have been classified as Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, recognized for their explosive past and proximity to human settlements; other historically significant active volcanoes include Asama (the most active volcano on Honshu Island), Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; refer to note 2 under "Geography - note"

Geography - note

note 1: holds a strategic position in northeast Asia; consists of four principal islands (the "Home Islands") -- Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous, home to Tokyo, the capital), Shikoku, and Kyushu

note 2: a 2023 survey by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan identified 100,000 islands and islets, although only the 14,125 islands with a circumference of at least 100 m (330 ft) were officially recognized; around 260 of these islands are inhabited

note 3: Japan records the highest number of earthquakes globally each year; it is situated along the Ring of Fire, a region surrounding the Pacific Ocean that includes about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes

Natural resources

minimal mineral resources, abundant fish

Area - comparative

slightly less expansive than California

Geographic coordinates

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Population distribution

all major and secondary regions of high population density are located along the coast; approximately one third of the population lives in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)

Major lakes (area sq km)

Languages

Religions

Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.)

Sex ratio

Birth rate

6.84 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

12.04 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco use

Urbanization

Age structure

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.)

Dependency ratios

Physician density

2.65 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Health expenditure

Net migration rate

0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Hospital bed density

12.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.41 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

Education expenditure

Infant mortality rate

Population growth rate

-0.45% (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.68 (2025 est.)

Population distribution

all main areas of significant population density are located along the coast; one third of the populace lives in and around Tokyo situated on the central plain (Kanto Plain)

Life expectancy at birth

Maternal mortality ratio

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Sanitation facility access

Alcohol consumption per capita

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)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.3% (2016)

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.7 years (2018 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

50% (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Climate

ranges from tropical in the southern regions to cool temperate in the northern areas

Geoparks

Land use

Urbanization

Methane emissions

Waste and recycling

Environmental issues

emissions from power generation facilities lead to acid rain; the acidification of lakes and reservoirs is diminishing water quality; challenges in waste management; continuous environmental remediation efforts in a limited area of Fukushima following the nuclear incident in 2011

Total water withdrawal

Carbon dioxide emissions

Particulate matter emissions

10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

430 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International environmental agreements

Flag

description: a white field featuring a prominent red disc representing the sun without rays at its center

history: the present flag was officially adopted in 1854, though a sun flag has been utilized in Japan since at least 1184; the sun has been a significant national emblem, with the sun goddess Amaterasu said to have established the nation in the 7th century B.C.

Capital

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

Constitution

Country name

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)

Legal system

a civil law system influenced by the German model; it also integrates Anglo-American influences and Japanese customs; the Supreme Court reviews legislative actions

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Judicial branch

Executive branch

National holiday

Birthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960)

National color(s)

red, white

National heritage

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

Legislative branch

National anthem(s)

National symbol(s)

red sun disc, chrysanthemum

National coat of arms

the Kikumon serves as the coat of arms for the Japanese emperor's family and originates from 1183; the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem (菊の御紋, kikunogomon) is depicted as a yellow or orange chrysanthemum with black or red outlines and background; the design includes a central disc encircled by a front layer of 16 petals; a back layer of 16 petals is staggered in relation to the front layer and is visible at the edges of the flower

Administrative divisions

47 prefectures including 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

Legislative branch - lower chamber

Legislative branch - upper chamber

Diplomatic representation in the US

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

International law organization participation

agrees to accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with certain reservations; consents to ICCt jurisdiction

Budget

Exports

Imports

Industries

automobiles, electronic devices, machinery, steel and nonferrous metals, vessels, chemicals, textiles, processed food items

Labor force

69.382 million (2024 est.)

Public debt

Remittances

Exchange rates

Economic overview

the second-largest economy in East Asia; characterized by a trade-focused and highly varied economy; significant public debt levels; after years of nearly zero interest rates, there are gradual increases to combat inflation and the depreciation of the yen; a strong recovery in tourism; an aging demographic presents challenges for workforce participation

Unemployment rate

Exports - partners

USA 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 6%, S. Korea 6%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)

Imports - partners

China 22%, USA 11%, Australia 8%, UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2023)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP growth rate

Agricultural products

rice, milk, sugar beets, vegetables, eggs, chicken, potatoes, onions, cabbages, pork (2023)

Exports - commodities

automobiles, integrated circuits, machinery, vehicle parts/accessories, construction vehicles (2023)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2023)

Current account balance

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.026 trillion (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

Average household expenditures

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Natural gas

Nuclear energy

Electricity access

Energy consumption per capita

Electricity generation sources

Internet users

Broadcast media

a combination of public and private television and radio broadcasters; 5 national terrestrial television networks comprising 1 public service broadcaster; numerous radio and television stations; satellite and cable services offer access to global channels (2023)

Internet country code

.jp

Telephones - fixed lines

Telephones - mobile cellular

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Ports

Airports

280 (2025)

Railways

Heliports

3,036 (2025)

Merchant marine

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

JA

Military - note

The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) is tasked with various missions, such as safeguarding territorial integrity, overseeing the nation's air and maritime domains, combating piracy and terrorism, and engaging in humanitarian efforts. The JSDF conducts regular joint exercises with the US military and is increasingly collaborating with other nations in the region, including Australia and the Philippines.

Japan's partnership with the US is fundamental to its security framework and forms a significant part of the US's strategic presence in Asia. The US-Japan mutual defense treaty allows for the stationing of US military forces in Japan, which includes aircraft and naval vessels, in exchange for US security assurances. The Japanese Government contributes roughly $3 billion annually to help cover the expenses associated with the presence of US forces in Japan. Additionally, it provides compensation to local communities that host US troops, pays rent for military bases, and finances new facilities to support the US stationed forces. Japan holds the status of Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) with the US, a designation under US law that grants specific advantages in defense trade and security collaboration.

Following its defeat in World War II, Japan was disarmed. In the wake of the Korean War in 1950, US occupation forces in Japan established a lightly armed force known as the National Police Reserve, comprising 75,000 members. The JSDF was established in 1954. Article 9 of Japan's 1947 constitution renounces the use of military force to resolve international disputes; however, Japan interprets Article 9 as permitting the maintenance of a military for national defense. Since 1991, Japan has allowed the JSDF to engage in non-combat roles in various UN peacekeeping missions and in the US-led coalition in Iraq. In 2014-2015, the Japanese Government reinterpreted the constitution to permit "collective self-defense," which is defined as using force on behalf of others when Japan's security is at risk. In 2022, the government published security policy documents stating Japan's aim to develop "counterstrike" capabilities, including armed drones and cruise missiles, and outlined plans to enhance security-related spending to 2% of GDP by 2025.

Military deployments

maintains a presence of about 400 military personnel at a permanent base in Djibouti (2025)

Military expenditures

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)

Military service age and obligation

To enlist voluntarily, individuals must be between 18 to 32 years old, with no conscription in place (2025).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The JSDF is primarily equipped with weapon systems produced domestically; the majority of its imported military equipment originates from the US. Japan's defense industry has the capability to manufacture a diverse array of air, ground, and naval weapon systems, with some domestically produced arms being US-origin and manufactured under license (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

The active Self Defense Forces number approximately 230,000 to 240,000 (2025).

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Space launch site(s)

Tanegashima Space Center/Yoshinobu Launch Complex (Kagoshima), Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima), Noshiro Testing Center (Akita) (2025)

Space agency/agencies

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA; founded in 2003) (2025)

Space program overview

possesses one of the largest and most sophisticated space programs globally, maintaining independent capabilities in all domains except for autonomous manned space flight; engages in the design, construction, launch, and operation of a comprehensive array of satellites; develops, fabricates, and independently launches satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs) and additional spacecraft; operates a diverse array of research and development initiatives; oversees an astronaut training program; is actively involved in international collaborations, including the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project; plays a leading role in the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; collaborates with numerous foreign space agencies and industries, including those from Canada, the ESA and its member nations, India, Russia, the UAE, and the US; maintains a commercial space sector that enhances space-related technologies and capabilities, such as satellites, satellite payloads and components, and SLVs; in recent years, the Japanese Government has provided support to space startup enterprises (2025)

Key space-program milestones

1966-1970 - commenced the satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and successfully launched the first domestically manufactured satellite (OHSUMI)

1985 - deployed two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (marking Japan’s inaugural missions beyond Earth’s orbit)

1992 - first astronaut embarked on a mission to space aboard the US Space Shuttle

1998 - deployed its maiden Mars orbiter (which failed to achieve orbit)

2003 - launched the world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) designed to return with an asteroid sample (achieved in 2010)

2007 - initiated the Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission

2010 - launched the Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission

2014 - initiated the asteroid probe featuring a lander/rover (Hayabusa 2); appointed the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station

2018 - launched a collaborative Japan-ESA probe towards Mercury (BepiColombo); began operations of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS)

2019 - commenced involvement in US-led lunar orbital station and Moon exploration initiatives

2024 - achieved a successful soft-landing of an unmanned spacecraft (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM) on the lunar surface; executed the initial successful test launch of the domestically developed H3 medium-lift SLV