Japan
Japan is an island nation in the northwest Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of mainland Asia. It has no land borders.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in the northwest Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of mainland Asia. It has no land borders. The country is a United Nations member state, classified by the UN Statistics Division under region Asia and subregion Eastern Asia. Its UN M49 code is 392, ISO alpha-2 is JP, and ISO alpha-3 is JPN. The World Bank country API lists the capital as Tokyo. These identifiers come from the United Nations Statistics Division M49 scheme, an international standard for country codes and regional groupings. The M49 scheme is a statistical tool, not a political or territorial claim; it groups nations for data collection and does not decide sovereignty, borders, or diplomatic recognition.
For any figure on this page that changes (population, GDP, currency exchange rates, visa rules, health guidance), the reference year and the named source are given. If you need the current number, open the named source and check the latest release. Do not treat any number on this page as current after its stated reference year.
How to verify current data
Population, currency exchange rates, government composition, and travel rules change frequently. Before citing a figure, check the named source and reference year.
- United Nations M49 overview, , is the authoritative source for Japan’s classification codes and regional grouping.
- World Bank country API, , returns Japan’s country code, region, income level, and capital as recorded by the World Bank. The API response includes the reference year for indicators when you query specific data series.
- National Statistical Offices, Japan’s Statistics Bureau (stat.go.jp) is the primary source for census and survey data. Their figures may differ from UN or World Bank estimates because they use different collection dates and definitions.
- Foreign ministries, your own government’s travel advisory is the only appropriate source for current entry, visa, and safety information. Do not rely on secondary summaries.
Capital
Tokyo is the seat of government and the World Bank country API lists it as the capital. Tokyo Metropolis is a special prefecture that includes 23 special wards, multiple cities, towns and villages, and the Izu and Ogasawara island chains. The 1947 Constitution does not legally designate a capital, so Tokyo functions as the de facto capital. This is a statistical and administrative designation, not a statement about internal administrative divisions.
People
Population
Japan’s population peaked around 2008 and has been declining since. The 2020 census counted 126.15 million people. The UN World Population Prospects (WPP) publishes annual estimates; the 2024 revision is the reference for 2025 figures. For the latest estimate, check the UN Population Division or Japan’s Statistics Bureau (e-stat.go.jp). A census is conducted every five years; the most recent full census was in 2020. Between censuses, official estimates are projections and should be labeled as such. The World Bank and UN estimates may differ from the Japanese government’s own figures because they use different reference dates, migration assumptions, and post-census adjustments. Always cite the reference year when you quote a population number.
Japan has one of the highest median ages in the world (49.9 years in 2024, UN estimate). The nation also has the world’s highest percentage of people aged 65 and older, about 29% in 2024. Urban residents make up 91.9% of the populace (World Bank, 2023). Life expectancy is among the highest globally, around 84.5 years (WHO, 2019).
Languages
Japanese is the de facto national language. There is no single official-language law designating Japanese as the sole official language, a fact noted in the CIA World Factbook’s Japan profile. Japanese is used in official contexts. Regional languages and dialects (Ryukyuan languages in Okinawa, Ainu in Hokkaido) are recognized as minority languages but have no nationwide official status. Ainu and Ryukyuan languages are acknowledged under the Ainu Policy Promotion Act (1997) and the 2019 Ainu law, but carry no official standing. English is widely taught in schools but is not an official language. For current language statistics, consult the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs or the national statistics bureau; figures are usually published every five to ten years.
Economy
Japan has the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, according to World Bank data for 2023. The economy is highly industrialized, with major sectors including automobiles, electronics, and precision machinery. Japan is a major exporter and has a high-income economy. The service sector dominates GDP. The World Bank classifies Japan as a high-income economy. GDP per capita (PPP, current international $) was 51,500 in 2023 (World Bank). The HDI is 0.920 (2022), rank 24 (UNDP, 2023/2024 report). The Gini index is 33.4 (2018, World Bank), reflecting modest income inequality.
Japan’s public debt is among the highest in the world, exceeding 200% of GDP, but most of it is held domestically. The debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the highest among advanced economies, around 250% (IMF, 2024). The government has pursued monetary easing and fiscal stimulus for decades to counter deflation and slow growth. The nation faces long-term demographic challenges with an aging populace and low birth rate.
Japan is a member of the G7, OECD, and WTO. Internet penetration reached 84.9% of individuals in 2023 (ITU estimate). Surface area is 377,974 km² (World Bank). Japan has 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2024).
Currency
The currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), issued by the Bank of Japan. Exchange rates move continuously; the World Bank and IMF publish annual and quarterly reference rates. For current conversion values, use the exchange rate service of your own bank or a central bank source; do not rely on a static figure from a country profile page. The yen is not pegged to any other currency and trades freely on foreign exchange markets.
Government and politics
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The emperor serves as the symbol of the state under the Constitution of Japan, which took effect in 1947. The head of government is the prime minister, who is designated by the National Diet and appointed by the emperor. The Diet is bicameral: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. For current leadership, electoral results, and official statements, consult the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These are primary sources for governmental structure and policy positions. Japan’s political system is stable and democratic; Freedom House has rated it Free in recent years, but the rating is an assessment by a non-governmental organization, not a UN determination.
Quick-reference facts
- Calling code: +81
- Time zone: UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time, no daylight saving)
- Driving side: left
- Top-level domain: .jp
- ISO alpha-3: JPN
- UN M49: 392
- Capital: Tokyo
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