Japan vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 177 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
United States has 2.9 times as many people as Japan (349.13 million vs 122.45 million). United States's economy is 9.8 times the size of Japan's ($32.95 trillion vs $3.37 trillion GDP).
When comparing Japan and the United States, the United States leads in several key metrics including GDP at $32.95 trillion compared to Japan's $3.37 trillion, and a total population of 349.13 million versus Japan's 122.45 million. Meanwhile, Japan excels in the Human Capital Index with a score of 0.82, higher than the United States at 0.72.
Economy
The economic landscape shows significant differences. The United States dominates with a GDP of $32.95 trillion, nearly 9.78 times larger than Japan's $3.37 trillion. Additionally, the Agriculture Value Added in the United States is $350.60 billion, far surpassing Japan's $34.16 billion.
Health and Society
In health metrics, Japan leads with a life expectancy of 88.16 years compared to 83.22 years in the United States. However, the United States has a higher current health expenditure at 16.9% of GDP, compared to Japan's 11%.
Geography and Environment
Japan has a higher population density of 324.98 per sq. km, while the United States stands at 38.15 per sq. km. Interestingly, Japan also has a longer coastline measuring 29,751 km, compared to the United States at 19,924 km.
- Japan excels in the Rule of Law Index with 95.09% over the United States at 88.3%.
- The United States outperforms in airports with 16,116 compared to Japan's 280.
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 38.63 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 38.09 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 85.54 % | 94.69 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 86.98 % | 93.14 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 87% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 93% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 38.63 Mbps★ | 38.09 Mbps | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 63.14 points | 65.49 points★ | |
| Radios | 120.5 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 86.5 | 219★ | |
| Waterways | 1,770 | 41,009★ |
Economy
65 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | -25.04M★ | -14.29M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -2,200 %★ | -72,000 % | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 12.86 °C★ | 10.43 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 960.23 | 4.8★ | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,641.6 mm★ | 810.4 mm | |
| Population Distribution | all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain) | large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western-tier states; mountainous areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, deserts in the southwest | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 29.6 sq km★ | 12.85 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 29.7 %★ | 12.9 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 27 Cubic meters per year | 1,383 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 430★ | 3.07 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 29 species★ | 43 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 12.59 %★ | 2.11 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 113★ | 94.67 | |
| Agricultural land | 45,206 sq. km | 4.17M sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 364,569.28 | 9.15M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 29,751 km★ | 19,924 km | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 255.33 cubic meters per inhabitant | 2,113 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 15,730 | 234,782★ |
Government
10 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 95.09 %★ | 88.3 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | 47 | 50★ | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 71 index | 65 index★ | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 71 index★ | 65 index | |
| Independence | 3 | 4★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 3.94 | 7.08★ | |
| Political Stability Index | 82 index★ | 47 index | |
| Prison Population Rate | 37 per 100,000★ | 505 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 71 | 65★ | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
24 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 247,000 personnel | 1.36M personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.41 %★ | 3.12 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 261,000 | 1.40M★ |
People and Society
41 metricsTransportation
5 metrics| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 1.25 | 2.06★ | |
| Airports | 280 | 16,116★ | |
| Annual Human Space Visits (Total) | 1 | 3★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 360 | 8,252★ | |
| Heliports | 3,036 | 8,130★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 58.63B USD | 251.65B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 0.75 % | 3.75 %★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Japan vs United States
Which has a larger population, Japan or United States?▾
United States. United States has 2.9 times as many people as Japan (349.13 million vs 122.45 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Japan or United States?▾
United States. United States's economy is 9.8 times the size of Japan's ($32.95 trillion vs $3.37 trillion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Japan or United States?▾
United States is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $94,373 in United States vs $27,502 in Japan (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).