Japan
Japan
People: Japanese
Japan is an island nation of over 6,800 islands, blending ancient temples and traditions with some of the world's most advanced technology. Japan is located in Eastern Asia and has a population of around 123.2 million. Its capital city is Tokyo, and the most widely spoken official language is Japanese. As an island nation, Japan has no land borders.
By the numbers, Japan is the 11th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 1.54% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 62nd out of 196, with a population density of roughly 326 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Japan — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Japan |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Tokyo |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| Population | 123,210,000 |
| Area | 377,930 km² |
| Currency | Japanese yen (JPY) ¥ |
| Official Language | Japanese |
| Dialling Code | +81 |
| Internet TLD | .jp |
| Timezone | UTC+09:00 |
| Drives on the | Left side |
| Emergency Number | 110 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance) |
| ISO Code | JP / JPN |
| Borders | Island nation / no land borders |
Travelling to Japan?
Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for Japan. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in Japan before you shop, and look up popular foods from Japan if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to Japan. US: Want to learn a few phrases before you go? Try a 1-on-1 lesson with a real teacher on italki.
Getting to and around Japan
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Planning a trip to Japan?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Japan
What is the capital and currency of Japan?
The capital of Japan is Tokyo and the currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), symbol ¥.
What is the capital of Japan?
The capital of Japan is Tokyo.
What currency does Japan use?
Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY, symbol: ¥).
What language do they speak in Japan?
The official language of Japan is Japanese.
What is the dialling code for Japan?
The international dialling code for Japan is +81.
What side of the road does Japan drive on?
Japan drives on the left-hand side of the road.
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