Japan

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a US ally. The emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, but elected politicians hold the decision-making power.

Geography

Area
total : 377,915 sq km
land: 364,485 sq km
water: 13,430 sq km

Climate
varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Natural resources
negligible mineral resources, fish

People and Society

Population
total: 123,201,945 (2024 est.)

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.)

Languages
Japanese

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

Population growth rate
-0.43% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Tokyo

Executive branch
chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019)
head of government: vacant (since 7 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador YAMADA Shigeo (since 27 February 2024)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador George GLASS (since 17 July 2025)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.715 trillion (2024 est.)
$5.71 trillion (2023 est.)
$5.627 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$46,100 (2024 est.)
$45,900 (2023 est.)
$45,000 (2022 est.)

Exports
$922.447 billion (2024 est.)
$923.488 billion (2023 est.)
$922.813 billion (2022 est.)

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

Exports - commodities
cars, integrated circuits, machinery, vehicle parts/accessories, construction vehicles (2023)

Imports
$965.047 billion (2024 est.)
$996.364 billion (2023 est.)
$1.081 trillion (2022 est.)

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

Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.925, ranking it 23rd out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 76th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.785. (more information)