Japan vs South Korea — Country Comparison
Japan
South KoreaJapan and South Korea side by side: Japan is the larger country (377,930 km² vs 100,210 km², roughly 3.8× the size), while Japan has the bigger population (123.2 million vs 51.2 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
| Fact | Japan | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Tokyo | Seoul |
| Population | 123,210,000 | 51,159,889 |
| Area | 377,930 km² | 100,210 km² |
| Currency | Japanese yen | South Korean won |
| Language | Japanese | Korean |
| Dialling code | +81 | +82 |
| Main timezone | UTC+09:00 | UTC+09:00 |
| Drives on the | Left | Right |
| Region | Eastern Asia | Eastern Asia |
| Emergency number | 110 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance) | 112 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance) |
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Japan vs South Korea — FAQ
Which is bigger, Japan or South Korea?
Japan is bigger by area: 377,930 km² vs 100,210 km², roughly 3.8× the size of South Korea.
Is Japan bigger than South Korea?
Yes — Japan covers 377,930 km², compared to 100,210 km² for South Korea.
Which has more people, Japan or South Korea?
Japan has the larger population: 123,210,000 (123.2 million) vs 51,159,889 (51.2 million).
How does the size of Japan compare to South Korea?
Japan (377,930 km²) is about 3.8× larger than South Korea (100,210 km²).
Do Japan and South Korea use the same currency?
No — Japan uses the Japanese yen and South Korea uses the South Korean won.
Are Japan and South Korea on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Asia.
What is the time difference between Japan and South Korea?
Japan and South Korea are in the same time zone (UTC+09:00).
Do Japan and South Korea share an official language?
No — Japan and South Korea do not share an official language.
Do Japan and South Korea share a border?
No — Japan and South Korea do not share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, Japan or South Korea?
South Korea is more densely populated at roughly 511 people per km², compared to 326 for Japan.
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