What is the population of Japan in 2026?
Japan has a population of 123,366,734 people (2025 estimate), which is 12th in the world and about 1.49% of the global total.
Population 2025
123,366,734
1.49% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
−0.49%
−606,964 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
342/km²
364,569 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
49.8 years
Life expectancy 84.0 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia comprising nearly 7,000 islands, with the five largest being Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa. With 123 million people, Japan is the world's eleventh-most populous country and one of the most densely populated. It has the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP and is renowned for its technological innovation, cultural exports, and exceptional longevity. Japan blends ancient traditions with cutting-edge modernity.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Continent
- Asia
- ISO codes
- JP · JPN
- Demonym
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY ¥)
- Government
- Constitutional monarchy, Unitary state, Hereditary monarchy
- State inception
- 1947
- Time zone
- UTC+09:00
- Driving side
- Left
- Calling code
- +81
- Internet TLD
- .jp, .みんな
- Land neighbours
- No land borders
Languages
- Japanese
Religions
- Shinto/Buddhism syncretic (70%)
- None (20%)
- Christianity (1.5%)
- Other (8.5%)
Demographics
Japan has the world's oldest population, with a median age of 48.4 years and 29% of people aged 65 or older. The population has been declining since 2010 due to low fertility (1.3 children per woman) and minimal immigration. This creates severe economic and social challenges. About 92% of the population lives in urban areas. Japan is ethnically homogeneous, with Japanese comprising 97.5% of the population.
Economy
Japan has the world's third-largest economy, known for automobiles, electronics, robotics, and precision machinery. Major companies include Toyota, Sony, Honda, and Nintendo. Japan faces challenges from an aging workforce, deflation, and competition from China and South Korea. The services sector dominates, though manufacturing remains crucial. Japan has the world's largest public debt relative to GDP.
Major exports
- Automobiles
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Steel
- Semiconductors
- Optical instruments
- Chemicals
- Plastics
Major imports
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Clothing
- Semiconductors
- Food
- Chemicals
- Raw materials
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Japan is a volcanic archipelago with over 100 active volcanoes. About 73% of the land is mountainous and forested, making only about 12% suitable for agriculture. Mount Fuji at 3,776 meters is the highest peak. Japan sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and experiences frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami caused catastrophic damage and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Natural resources
- Fish
- Timber
- Small mineral deposits
- Coastal sea water for energy
Climate
- Humid continental to subtropical; heavy monsoon rains
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 11.4%
- Age 15–64
- 58.8%
- Age 65+
- 29.8%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 17,162 | 103,910 |
| 95-99 | 133,604 | 495,872 |
| 90-94 | 613,916 | 1,479,586 |
| 85-89 | 1,491,180 | 2,519,061 |
| 80-84 | 2,634,814 | 3,586,305 |
| 75-79 | 3,756,507 | 4,473,211 |
| 70-74 | 3,946,724 | 4,293,059 |
| 65-69 | 3,611,321 | 3,698,376 |
| 60-64 | 3,816,981 | 3,768,372 |
| 55-59 | 4,226,206 | 4,118,071 |
| 50-54 | 4,975,377 | 4,889,270 |
| 45-49 | 4,461,369 | 4,392,177 |
| 40-44 | 3,770,818 | 3,693,874 |
| 35-39 | 3,403,800 | 3,288,952 |
| 30-34 | 3,105,947 | 2,985,897 |
| 25-29 | 3,112,117 | 2,991,052 |
| 20-24 | 3,123,806 | 2,969,008 |
| 15-19 | 2,905,586 | 2,747,227 |
| 10-14 | 2,741,602 | 2,590,970 |
| 5-9 | 2,467,140 | 2,339,477 |
| 0-4 | 2,055,581 | 1,957,754 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 86,443,277 |
| 1960 | 96,399,754 |
| 1970 | 106,712,368 |
| 1980 | 118,358,756 |
| 1990 | 123,399,765 |
| 2000 | 127,027,789 |
| 2010 | 128,185,275 |
| 2020 | 126,304,543 |
| 2030 | 119,584,121 |
| 2040 | 112,158,303 |
| 2050 | 105,123,167 |
| 2060 | 98,103,219 |
| 2070 | 90,611,771 |
| 2080 | 84,729,966 |
| 2090 | 80,634,393 |
| 2100 | 76,845,989 |
History
Japan's recorded history begins in the 4th century CE with the Yamato court. Feudal periods saw the rise of samurai culture. The Meiji Restoration (1868) ended feudalism and began rapid modernization and industrialization. Imperial expansion led to World War II and defeat in 1945. The postwar period brought remarkable economic growth, transforming Japan into an economic superpower by the 1980s. Japan adopted a pacifist constitution following WWII.
Culture
Japanese culture uniquely blends ancient traditions with modern innovation. Traditional arts include tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, and martial arts. Anime, manga, video games, and J-pop have global reach. Japanese cuisine (sushi, ramen, kaiseki) is UNESCO-recognized. Concepts like wabi-sabi (beauty in imperfection), omotenashi (hospitality), and wa (harmony) shape cultural values.
Current Challenges
Japan's primary challenge is its demographic crisis—declining and aging population strains pension systems, healthcare, and labor supply. Economic stagnation since the 1990s ('Lost Decades') continues. Labor shortages are severe in many sectors. Natural disaster vulnerability and the Fukushima aftermath present ongoing issues. Relations with neighbors over historical grievances remain complicated.
Future Outlook
Japan's population is projected to fall to 100 million by 2050 and potentially 75 million by 2100. Automation and robotics may partially address labor shortages. Japan is investing in AI, renewable energy, and hydrogen technology. Immigration policy is slowly liberalizing. Maintaining economic vitality and social systems with a shrinking, aging population is the defining challenge of Japan's future.
Highlights
What Japan Is Known For
- World's third-largest economy
- World's oldest population (median age 48.4)
- 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- World's most punctual train system
- Longest life expectancy globally (84.3 years)
Interesting Facts About Japan
- Japan has more vending machines per capita than any country (5.5 million total)
- Japan has the world's oldest company, Kongō Gumi (founded 578 CE)
- Trains in Japan are so punctual, delays of 1 minute warrant apologies
- Japan has over 1,500 earthquakes per year
- More adult diapers are sold than baby diapers due to the aging population
- Japan has the world's highest density of Michelin-starred restaurants
- Napping at work (inemuri) is considered acceptable and even respectable
How Japan Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| Japan | 123.4M |
Major Cities in Japan
3 metropolitan areas in our city dataset.
Japan Population FAQ
Is the population of Japan growing or shrinking?
Japan's population is shrinking at −0.49% per year, a change of roughly 606,964 people annually.
What is the capital of Japan?
The capital of Japan is Tokyo.
What is the largest city in Japan?
Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in Japan, with about 37.4M people.
How densely populated is Japan?
Japan has 342/km² across 364,569 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Japan?
Life expectancy at birth in Japan is 84.0 years (2024).
What is the median age in Japan?
The median age in Japan is 49.8 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Japan in?
Japan is in Asia.