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Japan

Japan is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with its capital in Tokyo. This page brings together source-cited key facts, international memberships, economic and social indicators and practical information.

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Sources citedFigures link to the sources listed below
Data status Under reviewLast updated 24 September 2026
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Key facts

Core reference data for Japan. Numbers in brackets link to the sources at the end of this page.

Official name
Japan [1]
Capital
Tokyo [2]
Official language
Japanese [2]
Population
123,366,734 [2]2025
Area
377,930 km² [2]
Currency
Japanese yen (JPY)
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo [4]
Calling code
+81
Internet domain
.jp
UN member since
18 December 1956 [3]
Recognition
Universally Recognized
Official portal
japan.go.jp

Government and leadership

Form of government
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy [1]
Head of state
Naruhito [1]
Head of government
Sanae Takaichi [1]
Parliament
National Diet248 seats
Constitution
3 May 1947 [1]
Independence
4 October 2026 [2]
Legal system
Civil Law

International memberships

Membership status in major international organizations and groups.

  • UNUnited Nations, since 1956Member
  • NATONorth Atlantic Treaty OrganizationMember
  • IMFInternational Monetary FundMember
  • World BankWorld Bank GroupMember
  • WTOWorld Trade OrganizationMember
  • G20Group of TwentyMember
  • G7Group of SevenMember
  • EUEuropean UnionNot a member
  • SchengenSchengen AreaNot a member
  • UNSC P5Permanent seat, UN Security CouncilNot a member

Economy

Headline indicators. Values marked est. are projections for the current or a future year.

GDP
$4,435 B [5]2025
GDP per capita
$35,951 [5]2025
GDP growth
1.2% [5]2025
Inflation
3.2% [5]2025
Unemployment
2.5% [5]2025
Exports
$725 B [10]Reference year not recorded
Imports
$958 B [10]Reference year not recorded

Main exports

  • Machinery
  • Vehicles
  • Electronics
  • Chemicals

Main imports

  • Petroleum
  • LNG
  • Coal
  • Semiconductors
  • Machinery

Geography

Area
377,930square kilometres
Coastline
29,751kilometres
Highest point
3,776 mMount Fuji
Coordinates
35.67, 139.77Geographic centre (approx.)

Society and development

Life expectancy
84.0 years [10]Reference year not recorded
Literacy rate
99.0% [10]2021
Human Development Index
0.920 [6]Rank 24, 2022
Corruption Perceptions Index
71/100 [7]Reference year not recorded
Press freedom rank
62 [8]Reference year not recorded
Internet use
85.5% [10]of population
International tourist arrivals
4.1 M [11]2020
Majority religion
Mixed

Practical information

Emergency number
110
Driving side
Right
Electricity
100
Plug types
  • Type A
  • Type B
Tap water
Generally safe to drinkLocal conditions can vary; follow local advice.
Calling code
+81

Travel and visa

Passport rank
2 [9]Henley Passport Index
Visa-free or on-arrival access
190 [9]destinations for this country's passport holders

Visiting Japan? Check official sources before you travel

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay, and they can change at short notice. NexaNations does not provide immigration or legal advice.

Quick answers

What is the capital of Japan?

The capital of Japan is Tokyo.

What currency does Japan use?

Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY).

What is the official language of Japan?

The official language of Japan is Japanese.

What is the emergency number in Japan?

The emergency number in Japan is 110.

Which side of the road do people drive on in Japan?

In Japan, traffic drives on the right.

Sources

  1. Official government portal of Japan. japan.go.jp
  2. Wikidata, item Q17. wikidata.org
  3. United Nations, member states. un.org
  4. GeoNames, entry 1861060. geonames.org
  5. International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook. imf.org
  6. United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report. hdr.undp.org
  7. Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index. transparency.org
  8. Reporters Without Borders, World Press Freedom Index. rsf.org
  9. Henley and Partners, Henley Passport Index. henleyglobal.com
  10. World Bank, World Development Indicators. data.worldbank.org
  11. UN Tourism, tourism statistics. untourism.int

Data last updated on 24 September 2026. Read how we select and verify sources in our methodology.

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