Japan Statistics

Explore key insights into tourism, health, crime, and employment statistics in one comprehensive guide, and uncover trends shaping Japan’s future.

Intro
Top 10 must-know facts about Japan
Japan tourism statistics
Japan earthquake facts
Japan crime statistics
Japan population statistics 2025
Japan health statistics
Japan immigration statistics
Japan employment statistics
Methodology
Sources

Intro

Japan, known for its rich cultural heritage and technological innovation, continues to attract millions of visitors annually, with over 36 million recorded in 2024. Tourism has played a significant role in the Japanese economy, with visitor numbers showing resilience despite shifting global trends.

As a country, Japan maintains some of the highest health standards in the world, consistently reporting one of the strongest life expectancies and a reduced infant mortality rate, driven by a robust healthcare system and a health-conscious population.

With these factors in mind, this report provides a comprehensive overview of key indicators in Japan, ranging from insights into Japan's tourism statistics to healthcare statistics and the Japanese crime rate.

Top 10 must-know facts about Japan

The total number of visitor arrivals to Japan in 2024 was 36,870,148, and this was the first time the figure surpassed 32 million.
JRPass.com forecasts that annual visitor arrivals will surpass 51 million by 2035.
As of 2025, 93% of Japan’s population lives in urban areas, with 7% remaining in rural locales.
Japan boasts a population of nearly 122 million in 2025, though this is a 3.85% decrease from 2000.
Japan’s median age continues to creep up every year, sitting at 49.8 years old as of 2025.
The crime rate in Japan is just 0.23 crimes recorded per 100,000 residents.
By 2050, just under one in six (15.6%) Japanese residents are predicted to be aged 80+, a prediction indicative of the nation’s aging population.
With a life expectancy of 85 years, Japan’s residents are predicted to live the second longest, behind those of Hong Kong.
Three-fifths (61.7%) of the population are employed as of 2025.
Japan records a falling fertility rate, with just 1.2 births per woman recorded in 2025.

Japan tourism statistics

In 2024, arrivals to Japan reached new heights, recording 36,870,148 visitors and surpassing the previous record of 32 million. This figure is 47.09% higher than 2023, and 15.65% higher than 2019, the second most visited year.

Historic and forecasted visitor arrivals to Japan

The number of visitors to Japan generally increased between 2000 and 2019, though with some fluctuation between 2009 and 2012.

As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on tourism in Japan, with the total number of visitors in 2021 crashing to 245,862 - a staggering 99.23% fewer than the figures seen in 2019. However, by 2023, visitor arrivals had already risen by 10,095%, returning to the level seen in 2016.

According to unique forecasting by JRPass.com, by 2026, Japan could top 40 million annual visitors. At the start of the next decade, JRPass.com expects that Japan will record over 45 million annual visitors, 42.11% higher than the figure reported just before the start of the current decade (2019, 31,882,049).

By 2035, forecasts suggest that annual visitor numbers for Japan will reach 51,317,535. That’s equivalent to 41.7% of the current Japanese population (123,074,703, as of July 2025).

Further analysis found that July is typically the busiest month for visitor arrivals, with an average of 8,208 visitors. Meanwhile, September usually records 16.49% fewer visitors than July (6,855).

Japan earthquake facts

In the last 10 years, 10,266 earthquakes of magnitude four or higher have struck within 300km of Japan. The strongest of these occurred on New Year's Day 2024, registering as a magnitude 7.5.

Magnitude distribution of earthquakes of Mag. 4 or higher within 300km of Japan over the last 10 years

Nine in 10 earthquakes that struck Japan over the past 10 years were magnitude four, with 8.53% registered as magnitude five.

Japan crime statistics

Japan crime rate statistics

Japan recorded 565.5 penal code offenses per 100,000 residents in 2023, surpassing the 500 mark for the first time this decade.

The Japanese crime rate reached a peak of 2,238.5 in 2002, before continuously declining over the next 19 years.

Japan homicide rate statistics

According to the latest Japan homicide rate statistics, the nation recorded just 0.23 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2021.

Japanese homicide rate per 100,000 residents over time

There is a clear and largely consistent downward trend in the number of homicides reported per 100,000 residents. In 2012, the national homicide rate sat at 0.34 per 100,000 residents, dropping to 0.29 the following year. The most notable single-year drop in the homicide rate occurred between 2016 and 2017, falling by 17.24% from 0.29 to 0.24.

Japan recorded an increase in the national homicide rate in only two years:

2014: 0.31, up from 0.29 in 2013 (6.9%)
2018: 0.26, up from 0.24 in 2017 (8.33%)

Japan population statistics 2025

How many people live in Japan?

Japanese population statistics for 2025 reveal that the country records nearly 122 million residents.

Japanese population statistics 2025

The Japanese population has fallen year-on-year since the turn of the millennium, a trend typically named as a result of having an aging population.

The figure for 2025 represents a decrease of 0.55% from the year prior and 3.85% from 2000.

Does Japan have an aging population?

An aging population presents a number of social and economic challenges. With rising healthcare costs, an increased strain on public finances, and potential labor shortages, a population that continues to trend older is a cause for concern.

Age distribution of Japanese residents over time

Japan is well known for having an aging population, with one in 10 (10.8%) residents aged 80 and over in 2023.

This trend is expected to worsen, with forecasts indicating that as much as 15.6% of the population may be in the 80+ age group by 2050. Similarly, the proportion of over-65s is expected to rise from three-tenths (30.1%) to nearly two-fifths (37.5%).

What is the average age in Japan?

In line with the data suggesting Japan has an aging population, the median age of its citizens has consistently risen over the last 70 years.

Median age in Japan over time

In 1950, the median age of the Japanese population was 21.3, indicating a generally younger population.

As of 2025, Japan reports a median age of 49.8 years. This represents an increase of 133.8% in the median age over the past 70 years.

Within this dataset, the median age grew the most rapidly between 1980 and 1990, rising by 16.41%, from 31.7 years to 36.9 years.

Urban vs rural Japan statistics

Japan is known as a technological haven, with cities such as Tokyo prized by tourists for their futuristic features. It’s no surprise, then, that the majority of Japan’s residents live in urban areas, with the country’s urban vs rural percentage sitting at 93% vs 7% in 2025.

Urban vs rural distribution of Japanese residents over time

In 1950, however, the country’s population was more evenly split between urban hubs and rural towns, with 51% living in cities, and 49% in the rural areas of Japan.

The trend towards the urbanization of the population has gradually increased, rising to 76% vs 24% in 1980, before surpassing the 90:10 ratio in 2010.

Japan health statistics

What is the life expectancy in Japan?

Japan has the second-greatest life expectancy in the world. At 85 years old, the country is only surpassed by Hong Kong, whose residents have a life expectancy of 85.77.

Male vs female life expectancy in Japan

Women in Japan are expected to live slightly longer than men, at 88 years compared to 82.

As a point of comparison, the life expectancy within the United States is 79.61, over five years less than that of Japan.

What is the fertility rate in Japan?

As of 2025, the Japanese fertility rate sits at 1.2 births per woman. This is a drop of 7.69% from 2020.

Japanese fertility rate over time

The Japanese fertility rate has declined fairly consistently since 1950, only stagnating between 1960 and 1970 (at 2 births per woman), and rising slightly between 2000 and 2010 (from 1.3 to 1.4).

Overall, the fertility rate in Japan has fallen by two-thirds since 1950, when the average number of births recorded per woman sat at 3.6.

What is the infant mortality rate in Japan?

Japan has taken great strides to reduce its infant mortality rate and instances of death in children under five years old. As of 2025, these figures sit at 1.62 deaths per 1,000 live births, and 2.26 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

Number of child and infant deaths under five years old per 1,000 live births over time

Japan has managed to reduce both key child mortality rates by approximately the same amount. In 1950, the infant mortality and death under five rates sat at 56.02 and 89.58 per 1,000 live births, respectively, with 2025 figures representing a 97.11% and 97.48% reduction in mortality, respectively.

Leading causes of death in Japan

According to the World Health Organization, the leading cause of death in Japan is Ischaemic heart disease, which is recorded in 143.7 deaths per 100,000 population. This form of heart disease is 6.83% more prevalent in women, causing 148.5 deaths compared to 139 in men.

Top 10 leading causes of death in Japan

A number of cancers are also recorded among the leading causes of death in Japan, including trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers (68.3 per 100,000 population); colon and rectum cancers (49.6); stomach cancer (38.8); and pancreatic cancer (34.7).

Japan immigration statistics

Japan net migration rate

Net migration in Japan has consistently fluctuated since 1960, with 2024 recording an annual figure of 153,357.

Japanese net migration over time

Despite major fluctuations in net migration figures, the overall trend since 1986 has been one of positive migration, except in 2021. During this year, net migration in Japan recorded a negative figure (-34,996) for the first time since the mid-1980s.

While prior to 1986, net migration was largely down, the period between 1966 and 1970 recorded positive numbers, with a yearly average of 45,067 noted. One other instance of positive migration was recorded pre-1986 - 1975, when the figure sat at 107.

Entries and exits

Between October 2023 and September 2024, a total of 3.2 million people from other countries entered Japan, while just under 2.9 million exited the country. This excludes those who stayed within Japan for less than three months, and subsequently doesn’t include the majority of tourists and travelers.

Entries and exits

Those aged between 20 and 29 accounted for the most entries into Japan, with nearly 1.05 million people in this age group entering the country in 2024. Likewise, this age group accounts for the most exits (nearly 860,000).

Japan employment statistics

Japan employment rate

As of 2025, the overall employment rate in Japan sits at 61.7%, indicating that three in five residents are employed.

Japanese employment rate over time

The employment rate in Japan has consistently risen since 2021, marking an overall rise of 2.83% in five years.

Unemployment rate in Japan

In line with the rising employment rate, the overall unemployment rate in Japan has fallen since 2021 to a rate of 2.5%. This indicates a fall of 13.79% from the 2.9% recorded in 2021.

Japanese unemployment rate over time

However, though the employment rate has consistently risen since 2021, the Japanese unemployment rate has fluctuated slightly over the past five years. Although the rate dropped to 2.4% between 2022 and 2023, it remained stagnant into 2024, before rising to 2.5% in 2025.

Japan GDP per capita

In 2024, Japan’s Gross Domestic Product per capita was recorded as $32,475.89 (USD). This is a slight decrease of 4.02% from the year prior, continuing the downward trend reported since 2021.

Japan’s GDP per capita (USD) over time

Since the turn of the millennium, Japan’s GDP per capita has fluctuated, with the lowest figure recorded in 2002 ($32,820.79).

Japan experienced a notable period of economic growth between 2007 and 2012, rising by over a third (37.36%) to the nation’s highest GDP per capita ($49,145.28). The indicator then dropped by 28.86% to $34,960.64 in 2015, before remaining largely consistent around the $38,800-$40,400 in the latter half of the decade.

What are the most popular industries in Japan?

As of 2024, the majority of those working in Japan are employed in the manufacturing industry, which records over 10.46 million employees.

Japan employment by industry

The wholesale and retail trade sector is the only other to record over 10 million workers (10.45 million).

The service industry - that is, those providing accommodations, and eating and drinking services - is the sixth-largest sector in Japan, recording over 4.07 million employees.

How many hours a week do people work in Japan?

As of January 2025, the majority of Japanese workers average 40–48 hours of work each week. Over 26.6 million work these hours, representing around 44.54% of the employed workforce, up slightly from 41.79% in January 2018.

Weekly hours of employed persons in Japan over time (excluding those currently unable to work)

Around 4.52% of the workforce works 60 or more hours a week, despite a 40-hour week being recommended by the Japanese Labour Standards Act. Japan has a reputation for long work hours, with many foreigners aware of the term ‘Karōshi,’ meaning death by overwork. However, the proportion of workers recording these hours has decreased over time, falling from 7.6% in January 2018.

Methodology

Forecasted annual visitor arrivals to Japan

JRPass.com wanted to discover how visitor arrivals to Japan will increase over the next decade. Using historic visitor numbers from the Japan National Tourism Organization, a forecast was calculated.

First, historic figures from 1990 to 2024 were pulled. Years heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were excluded from training to avoid distortion.

Then a forecast was made using Meta Prophet. This is a tool that is well-suited for time series prediction, particularly when seasonality and trend shifts play a big role. Prophet automatically detects patterns such as recurring peaks (e.g., tourist seasons) and adjusts for abrupt changes. It also gives a prediction range with upper and lower bounds, which helps reflect real-world uncertainty.