USD to JPY Rate Chart

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USD Popular Exchange Rates(today)

Exchange Rate Last day
USD to GBP rate 0.8183 ▲ 0.8168
USD to EUR rate 0.94035 ▲ 0.9392
USD to AUD rate 1.55763 ▲ 1.5568
USD to CAD rate 1.34762 ▲ 1.3481
USD to NZD rate 1.67957 ▲ 1.6791
USD to TRY rate 27.2086 ▲ 27.1986
USD to DKK rate 7.01162 ▲ 7.001
USD to AED rate 3.67299 ▲ 3.673
USD to NOK rate 10.75951 ▲ 10.7536
USD to SEK rate 11.04682 ▼ 11.1165
USD to CHF rate 0.90996 ▲ 0.9076
USD to JPY rate 148.59567 ▲ 148.34
USD to HKD rate 7.81574 ▼ 7.8157
USD to MXN rate 17.27 ▲ 17.2124
USD to SGD rate 1.36689 ▲ 1.3658
USD to ZAR rate 18.77948 ▲ 18.7647

Economic indicators of United States and Japan

Indicator United States Japan
Private Consumption 18,301,555
Mil. USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
318,236
Bil. JPY, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q1
Real Private Consumption 14,419,857
Mil. Ch. 2012 USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
297,091
Bil. Ch. 2015 JPY, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q1
Real GDP 20,386,467
Mil. Ch. 2012 USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
551,000
Bil. Ch. 2015 JPY, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q1
Nominal GDP 26,798,605
Mil. USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
571,987
Bil. JPY, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q1
Investment 4,615,478
Mil. USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
126,880,900,000,000
NCU, Annual; 2016
Consumer Price Index (CPI) 306.27
Index 1982-84=100, SA, Monthly; Aug 2023
-
Producer Price Index (PPI) 251.74
Index 1982=100, SA, Monthly; Jul 2023
119
Index 2020=100, NSA, Monthly; Jun 2023
Total Employment Non-Ag 156,419
Ths. #, SA, Monthly; Aug 2023
6,552
Ten Ths., NSA, Monthly; May 2023
Unemployment Rate 3.8
%, SA, Monthly; Aug 2023
2.6
Percent, SA, Monthly; May 2023
Imports of Goods 258,332
Mil. USD, SA, Monthly; Jul 2023
8,728,969
Mil. JPY, NSA, Monthly; May 2023
Exports of Goods 168,350
Mil. USD, SA, Monthly; Jul 2023
7,951,127
Mil. JPY, SA, Monthly; May 2023
Net Exports -804,717
Mil. USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
-22,005
Bil. JPY, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q1
Lending Rate 5.33
% p.a., NSA, Business Daily; 11 Sep 2023
0.99
% p.a., NSA, Monthly; Feb 2017
House Price Index 645.18
Index 1980Q1=100, NSA, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
134.31
Index 2010=100, SA, Monthly; Mar 2023
Consumer Confidence 98.32
Index Long term avg=100, SA, Monthly; Aug 2023
36.2
Index, SA, Monthly; Jun 2023
Personal Income 22,751,346
Mil. USD, SAAR, Quarterly; 2023 Q2
-
Retail Sales 509,041
Mil. USD, CDASA, Monthly; Sep 2018
13,104
Bil. JPY, NSA, Monthly; May 2023

USD to JPY Historical Rates(table)

Date Open Highest Lowest Close
USD to JPY (2023-09-25) 148.86 148.44 148.99 148.29
USD to JPY (2023-09-24) 148.43 148.37 148.45 148.25
USD to JPY (2023-09-22) 148.37 147.57 148.46 147.51
USD to JPY (2023-09-21) 147.58 148.34 148.46 147.32
USD to JPY (2023-09-20) 148.33 147.85 148.37 147.47
USD to JPY (2023-09-19) 147.86 147.60 147.98 147.50
USD to JPY (2023-09-18) 147.60 147.74 147.88 147.55
USD to JPY (2023-09-15) 147.82 147.49 147.99 147.34
USD to JPY (2023-09-14) 147.47 147.46 147.58 147.01
USD to JPY (2023-09-13) 147.45 147.07 147.74 147.01
USD to JPY (2023-09-12) 147.08 146.59 147.26 146.45
USD to JPY (2023-09-11) 146.58 147.02 147.28 145.90
USD to JPY (2023-09-08) 147.81 147.30 147.88 146.59
USD to JPY (2023-09-07) 147.29 147.66 147.88 147.04
USD to JPY (2023-09-06) 147.65 147.74 147.82 147.01
USD to JPY (2023-09-05) 147.71 146.49 147.82 146.40
USD to JPY (2023-09-04) 146.46 146.20 146.54 146.01
USD to JPY (2023-09-01) 146.23 145.54 146.32 144.44
USD to JPY (2023-08-31) 145.53 146.23 146.26 145.35
USD to JPY (2023-08-30) 146.24 145.90 146.59 145.55
USD to JPY (2023-08-29) 145.87 146.55 147.38 145.67
USD to JPY (2023-08-28) 146.54 146.43 146.75 146.26
USD to JPY (2023-08-25) 146.41 145.84 146.65 145.73

USD to JPY Handy Conversion

1 USD = 148.84 JPY
2 USD = 297.68 JPY
3 USD = 446.52 JPY
4 USD = 595.36 JPY
5 USD = 744.2 JPY
6 USD = 893.04 JPY
7 USD = 1041.88 JPY
8 USD = 1190.72 JPY
9 USD = 1339.56 JPY
10 USD = 1488.4 JPY
15 USD = 2232.6 JPY
20 USD = 2976.8 JPY
25 USD = 3721 JPY
50 USD = 7442 JPY
100 USD = 14884 JPY
200 USD = 29768 JPY
250 USD = 37210 JPY
500 USD = 74420 JPY
750 USD = 111630 JPY
1000 USD = 148840 JPY
1500 USD = 223260 JPY
2000 USD = 297680 JPY
5000 USD = 744200 JPY
10000 USD = 1488400 JPY

Comparison between United States and Japan

Background comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan

Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. Since the end of World War II, the economy has achieved relatively steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing.

Geography comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Location

North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

Geographic coordinates

38 00 N, 97 00 W

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Map references

North America

Asia

Area

total: 9,833,517 sq km

land: 9,147,593 sq km

water: 685,924 sq km

note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia, no overseas territories (2010)

country comparison to the world: 4

total: 377,915 sq km

land: 364,485 sq km

water: 13,430 sq km

note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

country comparison to the world: 63

Area - comparative

about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union

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Land boundaries

total: 12,048 km

border countries (2): Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,155 km

note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28.5 km

0 km

Coastline

19,924 km

29,751 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: not specified

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Terrain

vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii

mostly rugged and mountainous

Elevation

mean elevation: 760 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Death Valley -86 m (lowest point in North America)

highest point: Denali (Mount McKinley) 6,190 m (highest point in North America)

note: the peak of Mauna Kea (4,205 m above sea level) on the island of Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; by this measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher than Mount Everest (8,850 m), which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sea level

mean elevation: 438 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m

highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

Natural resources

coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber, arable land

note: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total

negligible mineral resources, fish

note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

Land use

agricultural land: 44.5%

arable land 16.8%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 27.4%

forest: 33.3%

other: 22.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land: 12.5%

arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0%

forest: 68.5%

other: 19% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

264,000 sq km (2012)

24,690 sq km (2012)

Population - distribution

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, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prairie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu

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)

Natural hazards

tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in Hawaii: Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu

Environment - current issues

large emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural freshwater resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification

0air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere; following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan originally planned to phase out nuclear power, but it has now implemented a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards; waste management is an ongoing isue; Japanese municipal facilities used to burn high volumes of trash, but air pollution issues forced the government to adopt an aggressive recycling policy

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent

strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous), Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets

People comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Population

326,625,791 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

126,451,398 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 10

Nationality

noun: American(s)

adjective: American

noun: Japanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Japanese

Ethnic groups

white 72.4%, black 12.6%, Asian 4.8%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.9%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%, other 6.2%, two or more races 2.9% (2010 est.)

note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); an estimated 16.3% of the total US population is Hispanic as of 2010

Japanese 98.5%, Korean 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%

note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004 est.)

Languages

English 79%, Spanish 13%, other Indo-European 3.7%, Asian and Pacific island 3.4%, other 1% (2015 est.)

note: data represent the language spoken at home; the US has no official national language, but English has acquired official status in 32 of the 50 states; Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii, and 20 indigenous languages are official in Alaska

Japanese

Religions

Protestant 46.5%, Roman Catholic 20.8%, Jewish 1.9%, Mormon 1.6%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 0.9%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, Buddhist 0.7%, Hindu 0.7%, other 1.8%, unaffiliated 22.8%, don't know/refused 0.6% (2014 est.)

Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1%

note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 51.2

youth dependency ratio: 29

elderly dependency ratio: 22.1

potential support ratio: 4.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio: 64

youth dependency ratio: 21.3

elderly dependency ratio: 42.7

potential support ratio: 2.3 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 38.1 years

male: 36.8 years

female: 39.4 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 60

total: 47.3 years

male: 46 years

female: 48.7 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

Population growth rate

0.81% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 129

-0.21% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 211

Birth rate

12.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 158

7.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 223

Death rate

8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 85

9.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 45

Net migration rate

3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 86

Population distribution

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, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prarie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu

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)

Urbanization

urban population: 82% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population: 94.3% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 0.15% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

New York-Newark 18.593 million; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana 12.31 million; Chicago 8.745 million; Miami 5.817 million; Dallas-Fort Worth 5.703 million; WASHINGTON, D.C. (capital) 4.955 million (2015)

TOKYO (capital) 38.001 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.238 million; Nagoya 9.406 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.51 million; Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.369 million; Sapporo 2.571 million (2015)

Sex ratio

at birth: NA

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.4 years (2015 est.)

30.7 years (2015 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 138

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 171

Infant mortality rate

total: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 170

total: 2 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 224

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80 years

male: 77.7 years

female: 82.2 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 43

total population: 85.3 years

male: 81.9 years

female: 88.8 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 143

1.41 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 209

Contraceptive prevalence rate

74.1%

note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2011/13)

40.4%

note: percent of women aged 20-49 (2015)

Health expenditures

17.1% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 1

10.2% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 23

Physicians density

2.57 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

2.37 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2013)

13.4 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 99.4% of population

rural: 98.2% of population

total: 99.2% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.6% of population

rural: 1.8% of population

total: 0.8% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

NA

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

36.2% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 12

4.3% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 186

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.5% (2012)

country comparison to the world: 136

3.4% (2010)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 63

3.6% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 115

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2014)

total: 15 years

male: 15 years

female: 15 years (2014)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 10.4%

male: 11.4%

female: 9.3% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 127

total: 5.1%

male: 5.7%

female: 4.5% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

Government comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Country name

conventional long form: United States of America

conventional short form: United States

abbreviation: US or USA

etymology: the name America is derived from that of Amerigo VESPUCCI (1454-1512) - Italian explorer, navigator, and cartographer - using the Latin form of his name, Americus, feminized to America

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Japan

local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku

local short form: Nihon/Nippon

etymology: the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the Rising Sun"

Government type

constitutional federal republic

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Washington, DC

geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W

time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

note: the 50 United States cover six time zones

name: Tokyo

geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E

time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

Dependent areas

American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island

note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a political relationship with all four political entities: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994)

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Independence

4 July 1776 (declared independence from Great Britain); 3 September 1783 (recognized by Great Britain)

3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933); note - celebrates the birthday of the current emperor

Constitution

previous 1781 (Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union); latest drafted July - September 1787, submitted to the Congress of the Confederation 20 September 1787, submitted for states' ratification 28 September 1787, ratification completed by nine states 21 June 1788, effective 4 March 1789; amended many times, last in 1992 (2016)

history: previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947

amendments: proposed by the Diet; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of both houses of the Diet and approval by majority in a referendum; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1947 (2017)

Legal system

common law system based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law except Louisiana, which is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts

civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

International law organization participation

withdrew acceptance of compulsory ICJ jurisdiction in 2005; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no, but the US government acknowledges such situtations exist; US citizens are not encouraged to seek dual citizenship since it limits protection by the US

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, approved by the Senate

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by the Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 10 November 2020)

election results: Donald J. TRUMP elected president; electoral vote - Donald J. TRUMP (Republican Party) 304, Hillary D. CLINTON (Democratic Party) 227, other 7; percent of direct popular vote - Hillary D. CLINTON 48.2%, Donald J. TRUMP 46.1%, other 5.7%

chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989); note - The Imperial Council ruled on 2 December 2017 that the Emperor will be allowed to abdicate in April 2019

head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats; 2 members directly elected in each of the 50 state constituencies by simple majority vote except in Georgia and Louisiana which require an absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote except in Georgia which requires an absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 2-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 6 November 2018); House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 6 November 2018)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 24, Democratic Party 10; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 241, Democratic Party 194,

note: in addition to the regular members of the House of Representatives there are 6 non-voting delegates elected from the District of Columbia and the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands; these are single seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term (except for the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico who serves a 4-year term); the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegates last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 6 November 2018)

description: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats; 146 members directly elected in multi-seat districts by simple majority vote and 96 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat districts by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - Japan's amended electoral law, changed in May 2017, reduced the total number of House seats to 465 - the number of House of Representatives seats in single-seat districts is reduced to 289 and the number of House of Representatives seats in multi-seat districts reduced to 176; the change is effective for the December 2018 House of Representatives election

note: the Diet in June 2017 redrew Japan's electoral district boundaries and reduced the current 275 seats in the House of Representatives to 265; the law, which cuts 6 seats in single-seat districts and 4 in multi-seat districts, was reportedly intended to reduce voting disparities between densely and sparsely populated voting districts

elections: House of Councillors - last held on 10 July 2016 (next to be held in July 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 22 October 2017 (next to be held by 21 October 2021)

election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 55, DP 32, Komeito 14, JCP 6, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 7, PLPTYF 1, SDP 1, independent 5

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 284, CDP 55, Party of Hope 50, Komeito 29, JCP 12, JIP 11, SDP 2, independent 22

Judicial branch

highest court(s): US Supreme Court (consists of 9 justices - the chief justice and 8 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: president nominates and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints Supreme Court justices; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (includes the US Court of Appeal for the Federal District and 12 regional appeals courts); 94 federal district courts in 50 states and territories

note: the US court system consists of the federal court system and the state court systems; although each court system is responsible for hearing certain types of cases, neither is completely independent of the other, and the systems often interact

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward

subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Tom PEREZ]

Green Party [collective leadership]

Libertarian Party [Nicholas SARWARK]

Republican Party [Ronna Romney MCDANIEL]

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or CDP [Yukio EDANO]

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Kohei OTSUKA]

Group of Reformists [Sakihito OZAWA]

Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]

Japan Innovation Party or JIP [Ichiro MATSUI]

Party of Hope or Kibo no To [Yuichiro TAMAKI]

Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]

Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE]

Liberal Party [Ichiro OZAWA] (formerly People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends or PLPTYF)

New Renaissance Party [Hiroyuki ARAI]

Party for Japanese Kokoro or PJK [Masashi NAKANO]

Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA]

The Assembly to Energize Japan and the Independents [Kota MATSUDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PACs; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies

other: business groups; trade unions

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Flag description

13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory

note: the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center

National symbol(s)

bald eagle; national colors: red, white, blue

red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors: red, white

National anthem

name: "The Star-Spangled Banner"

lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song"; only the first verse is sung

name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign)

lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI

note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor

Diplomatic representation in the US -

chief of mission: Ambassador Shinsuke SUGIYAMA (since 28 March 2018)

chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187

consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US -

chief of mission: Ambassador William F. "Bill" HAGERTY, IV (since 31 August 2017)

embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420

mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300

telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000

FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862

consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo

consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya

Economy comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Economy - overview

The US has the most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $59,500. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment; however, their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. Based on a comparison of GDP measured at purchasing power parity conversion rates, the US economy in 2014, having stood as the largest in the world for more than a century, slipped into second place behind China, which has more than tripled the US growth rate for each year of the past four decades.

In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets.

Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits.

The onrush of technology has been a driving factor in the gradual development of a "two-tier" labor market in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. But the globalization of trade, and especially the rise of low-wage producers such as China, has put additional downward pressure on wages and upward pressure on the return to capital. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income.

Imported oil accounts for more than 50% of US consumption and oil has a major impact on the overall health of the economy. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. Because the US economy is energy-intensive, falling oil prices since 2013 have alleviated many of the problems the earlier increases had created.

The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the US into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009, Congress passed and former President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through FY 2018, the direct costs of the wars will have totaled more than $1.9 trillion, according to US Government figures.

In March 2010, former President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million Americans by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on healthcare - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010.

In July 2010, the former president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.

In December 2012, the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) announced plans to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short-term rates near zero until unemployment dropped below 6.5% or inflation rose above 2.5%. The Fed ended its purchases during the summer of 2014, after the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, inflation stood at 1.7%, and public debt fell below 74% of GDP. In December 2015, the Fed raised its target for the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25%, the first increase since the recession began. With continued low growth, the Fed opted to raise rates several times since then, and in December 2017, the target rate stood at 1.5%.

In December 2017, Congress passed and President Donald TRUMP signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among its various provisions, reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; lowers the individual tax rate for those with the highest incomes from 39.6% to 37%, and by lesser percentages for those at lower income levels; changes many deductions and credits used to calculate taxable income; and eliminates in 2019 the penalty imposed on taxpayers who do not obtain the minimum amount of health insurance required under the ACA. The new taxes took effect on 1 January 2018; the tax cut for corporations are permanent, but those for individuals are scheduled to expire after 2025. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) under the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new law will reduce tax revenues and increase the federal deficit by about $1.45 trillion over the 2018-2027 period. This amount would decline if economic growth were to exceed the JCT’s estimate.

Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (slightly less than 1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features have significantly eroded under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change.

Measured on a purchasing power parity basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2017 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - averaging 10% in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which resulted in several years of economic stagnation as firms sought to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008.

Japan enjoyed an uptick in growth since 2013, supported by Prime Minister Shinzo ABE’s “Three Arrows” economic revitalization agenda - dubbed “Abenomics” - of monetary easing, “flexible” fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the need to address its sizable public debt, which stands at 235% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate. However, the first such increase, in April 2014, led to a sharp contraction, so Prime Minister ABE has twice postponed the next increase, which is now scheduled for October 2019. Structural reforms to unlock productivity are seen as central to strengthening the economy in the long-run.

Scarce in critical natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported energy and raw materials. After the complete shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil fuels. However, ABE’s government is seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards and is emphasizing nuclear energy’s importance as a base-load electricity source. In August 2015, Japan successfully restarted one nuclear reactor at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, and several other reactors around the country have since resumed operations; however, opposition from local governments has delayed several more restarts that remain pending. Reforms of the electricity and gas sectors, including full liberalization of Japan’s energy market in April 2016 and gas market in April 2017, constitute an important part of Prime Minister Abe’s economic program.

Under the Abe Administration, Japan’s government sought to open the country’s economy to greater foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses, including by joining 11 trading partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Japan became the first country to ratify the TPP in December 2016, but the United States signaled its withdrawal from the agreement in January 2017. In November 2017 the remaining 11 countries agreed on the core elements of a modified agreement, which they renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Japan also reached agreement with the European Union on an Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2017, and is likely seek to ratify both agreements in the Diet this year.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.36 trillion (2017 est.)

$18.95 trillion (2016 est.)

$18.67 trillion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 3

$5.405 trillion (2017 est.)

$5.325 trillion (2016 est.)

$5.27 trillion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 5

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.36 trillion (2017 est.)

$4.884 trillion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2017 est.)

1.5% (2016 est.)

2.9% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 144

1.5% (2017 est.)

1% (2016 est.)

1.1% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$59,500 (2017 est.)

$58,600 (2016 est.)

$58,200 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 20

$42,700 (2017 est.)

$41,900 (2016 est.)

$41,500 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 41

Gross national saving

17.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

18% of GDP (2016 est.)

19.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 105

27% of GDP (2017 est.)

27.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

27% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 69.1%

government consumption: 17.2%

investment in fixed capital: 16.3%

investment in inventories: 0.3%

exports of goods and services: 12.2%

imports of goods and services: -15.1% (2017 est.)

household consumption: 55.9%

government consumption: 19.5%

investment in fixed capital: 23.5%

investment in inventories: 0.2%

exports of goods and services: 17.8%

imports of goods and services: -16.8% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.9%

industry: 18.9%

services: 80.2%

(2017 est.)

agriculture: 1%

industry: 29.7%

services: 69.3% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products

vegetables, rice, fish, poultry, fruit, dairy products, pork, beef, flowers, potatoes/taros/yams, sugarcane, tea, legumes, wheat and barley

Industries

highly diversified, world leading, high-technology innovator, second-largest industrial output in the world; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining

among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

Industrial production growth rate

1.8% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 144

1.4% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 155

Labor force

160.4 million

note: includes unemployed (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

67.77 million (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 9

Labor force - by occupation

farming, forestry, and fishing: 0.7%

manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 20.3%

managerial, professional, and technical: 37.3%

sales and office: 24.2%

other services: 17.6%

note: figures exclude the unemployed

(2009 est.)

agriculture: 2.9%

industry: 26.2%

services: 70.9% (February 2015 est)

Unemployment rate

4.4% (2017 est.)

4.9% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 60

2.9% (2017 est.)

3.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

Population below poverty line

15.1% (2010 est.)

16.1% (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2008 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45 (2007 est.)

40.8 (1997 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

37.9 (2011 est.)

24.9 (1993 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

Budget

revenues: $3.336 trillion

expenditures: $3.991 trillion

note: for the US, revenues exclude social contributions of approximately $1.0 trillion; expenditures exclude social benefits of approximately $2.3 trillion (2017 est.)

revenues: $1.678 trillion

expenditures: $1.902 trillion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.2% of GDP

note: excludes contributions for social security and other programs; if social contributions were added, taxes and other revenues would amount to approximately 22% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 176

34.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 58

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 128

-4.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 152

Public debt

77.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

76.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover only what the United States Treasury denotes as "Debt Held by the Public," which includes all debt instruments issued by the Treasury that are owned by non-US Government entities; the data include Treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by individual US states, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of Treasury borrowings from surpluses in the trusts for Federal Social Security, Federal Employees, Hospital and Supplemental Medical Insurance (Medicare), Disability and Unemployment, and several other smaller trusts; if data for intra-government debt were added, "gross debt" would increase by about one-third of GDP

country comparison to the world: 43

223.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

222.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2017 est.)

1.3% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 97

0.4% (2017 est.)

-0.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 19

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.)

0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 134

0.3% (31 December 2015 est.)

0.3% (31 December 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 135

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.3% (31 December 2017 est.)

3.51% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 156

1.5% (31 December 2017 est.)

1.48% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 185

Stock of narrow money

$3.627 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.25 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

$6.426 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.651 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

Stock of broad money

$14 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.84 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

$8.917 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.023 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Stock of domestic credit

$21.59 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$20.24 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

$13.63 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.11 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Market value of publicly traded shares

$25.07 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$26.33 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$24.03 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

$4.895 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$4.378 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.543 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Current account balance

$-462 billion (2017 est.)

$-451.7 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 201

$175 billion (2017 est.)

$188.1 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

Exports

$1.576 trillion (2017 est.)

$1.456 trillion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

$683.3 billion (2017 est.)

$634.9 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

Exports - commodities

agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0% (2008 est.)

motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.)

Exports - partners

Canada 18.3%, Mexico 15.9%, China 8%, Japan 4.4% (2016)

US 20.2%, China 17.7%, South Korea 7.2%, Hong Kong 5.2%, Thailand 4.3% (2016)

Imports

$2.352 trillion (2017 est.)

$2.208 trillion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

$625.7 billion (2017 est.)

$583.5 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

Imports - commodities

agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2008 est.)

petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.)

Imports - partners

China 21.1%, Mexico 13.4%, Canada 12.7%, Japan 6%, Germany 5.2% (2016)

China 25.8%, US 11.4%, Australia 5%, South Korea 4.1% (2016)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$117.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$117.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

$1.217 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.233 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

Debt - external

$17.91 trillion (31 March 2016 est.)

$17.85 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

note: approximately 4/5ths of US external debt is denominated in US dollars; foreign lenders have been willing to hold US dollar denominated debt instruments because they view the dollar as the world's reserve currency

country comparison to the world: 1

$3.24 trillion (31 March 2016 est.)

$2.83 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.084 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.614 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

$268.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$238.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$5.644 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.352 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

$1.548 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.363 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

Exchange rates

British pounds per US dollar: 0.7836 (2017 est.), 0.738 (2016 est.), 0.738 (2015 est.), 0.607 (2014 est), 0.6391 (2013 est.)

Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1, 1.308 (2017 est.), 1.3256 (2016 est.), 1.3256 (2015 est.), 1.2788 (2014 est.), 1.0298 (2013 est.)

Chinese yuan per US dollar: 1, 6.7588 (2017 est.), 6.6445 (2016 est.), 6.2275 (2015 est.), 6.1434 (2014 est.), 6.1958 (2013 est.)

euros per US dollar: 0.885 (2017 est.), 0.903 (2016 est.), 0.9214(2015 est.), 0.885 (2014 est.), 0.7634 (2013 est.)

Japanese yen per US dollar: 111.10 (2017 est.), 108.76 (2016 est.), 108.76 (2015 est.), 121.02 (2014 est.), 97.44 (2013 est.)

yen (JPY) per US dollar -

111.1 (2017 est.)

108.76 (2016 est.)

108.76 (2015 est.)

121.02 (2014 est.)

97.44 (2013 est.)

Energy comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

4.088 trillion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

976.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - consumption

3.911 trillion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

933.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - exports

9.695 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 152

Electricity - imports

80.66 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.074 billion kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

322.2 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Electricity - from fossil fuels

70.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 103

59.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

9.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

12.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

7.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 124

7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 126

Electricity - from other renewable sources

10.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 69

15% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 48

Crude oil - production

8.853 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

3,918 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 84

Crude oil - exports

590,900 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

Crude oil - imports

7.85 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

3.181 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Crude oil - proved reserves

36.52 billion bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 11

44.12 million bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 80

Refined petroleum products - production

20.08 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

3.536 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

Refined petroleum products - consumption

19.69 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

4.026 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

Refined petroleum products - exports

4.67 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

381,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

Refined petroleum products - imports

2.205 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

1.141 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

Natural gas - production

766.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

4.453 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - consumption

773.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

123.6 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas - exports

50.52 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 7

0 cu m (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas - imports

76.96 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

114.7 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

Natural gas - proved reserves

8.714 trillion cu m (1 January 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 76

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.402 billion Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

1.257 billion Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

Communications comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 121.53 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

total subscriptions: 64,099,179

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 395.881 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

total: 166,852,753

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 8

Telephone system

general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system

domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country

international: country code - 1; multiple ocean cable systems provide international connectivity; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2016)

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service

domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind

international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2012)

Broadcast media

4 major terrestrial TV networks with affiliate stations throughout the country, plus cable and satellite networks, independent stations, and a limited public broadcasting sector that is largely supported by private grants; overall, thousands of TV stations broadcasting; multiple national radio networks with many affiliate stations; while most stations are commercial, National Public Radio (NPR) has a network of some 600 member stations; satellite radio available; overall, nearly 15,000 radio stations operating (2008)

a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2012)

Internet country code

.us

.jp

Internet users

total: 246,809,221

percent of population: 76.2% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

total: 116,565,962

percent of population: 92.0% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

Transportation comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 92

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6,817

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 798.23 million

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 37.219 billion mt-km (2015)

number of registered air carriers: 23

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 627

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 113.762 million

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 8,868.745 million mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

N (2016)

JA (2016)

Airports

13,513 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 1

175 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 33

Airports - with paved runways

total: 5,054

over 3,047 m: 189

2,438 to 3,047 m: 235

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,478

914 to 1,523 m: 2,249

under 914 m: 903 (2013)

total: 142

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 45

1,524 to 2,437 m: 38

914 to 1,523 m: 28

under 914 m: 25 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 8,459

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 140

914 to 1,523 m: 1,552

under 914 m: 6,760 (2013)

total: 33

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 28 (2013)

Heliports

5,287 (2013)

16 (2013)

Pipelines

natural gas 1,984,321 km; petroleum products 240,711 km (2013)

gas 4,456 km; oil 174 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2013)

Railways

total: 293,564.2 km

standard gauge: 293,564.2 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

country comparison to the world: 1

total: 27,311 km

standard gauge: 4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified)

dual gauge: 132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015)

country comparison to the world: 11

Roadways

total: 6,586,610 km

paved: 4,304,715 km (includes 76,334 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,281,895 km (2012)

country comparison to the world: 1

total: 1,218,772 km

paved: 992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways)

unpaved: 225,937 km (2015)

country comparison to the world: 6

Waterways

41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce; Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, is shared with Canada) (2012)

country comparison to the world: 5

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010)

country comparison to the world: 44

Merchant marine

total: 3,611

by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 61, general cargo 114, oil tanker 66, other 3,365 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 5

total: 5,289

by type: bulk carrier 150, container ship 20, general cargo 1,963, oil tanker 714, other 2,442 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 3

Ports and terminals

cargo ports: Baton Rouge, Corpus Christi, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Plaquemines (LA), Tampa, Texas City

container port(s) (TEUs): Hampton Roads (2,549,000), Houston (2,131,000), Long Beach (7,192,000), Los Angeles (8,160,000), New York/New Jersey (6,372,000), Oakland (2,278,000), Savannah (3,737,000), Seattle (3,531,000) (2015)

cruise departure ports (passengers): Miami (2,032,000), Port Everglades (1,277,000), Port Canaveral (1,189,000), Seattle (430,000), Long Beach (415,000) (2009)

oil terminal(s): LOOP terminal, Haymark terminal

LNG terminal(s) (import): Cove Point (MD), Elba Island (GA), Everett (MA), Freeport (TX), Golden Pass (TX), Hackberry (LA), Lake Charles (LA), Neptune (offshore), Northeast Gateway (offshore), Pascagoula (MS), Sabine Pass (TX)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Kenai (AK)

major seaport(s): Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama

container port(s) (TEUs): Kobe (2,707,000), Nagoya (2,631,000), Osaka (1,970,000), Tokyo (4,150,000), Yokohama (2,787,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku

Military comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Military expenditures

3.29% of GDP (2016)

3.3% of GDP (2015)

3.51% of GDP (2014)

3.83% of GDP (2013)

4.24% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 25

0.93% of GDP (2016)

0.94% of GDP (2015)

0.96% of GDP (2014)

0.95% of GDP (2013)

0.97% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 119

Military branches

United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy (2017)

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; no conscription; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); 8-year service obligation, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines); all military occupations and positions open to women (2016)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers (2012)

Transnational comparison between [United States] and [Japan]

United States Japan
Disputes - international

the US has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 53,716 refugees during FY2017 including: 9,377 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 6,886 (Iraq); 6,557 (Syria); 6,130 (Somalia); 5,078 (Burma); 3,550 (Bhutan); 2,577 (Iran)

note: more than 46,000 Venezuelans have claimed asylum since 2014 because of the economic and political crisis (2017)

stateless persons: 626 (2016)

Illicit drugs

world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center

-

USD to JPY Historical Rates

year by month
USD to JPY in 2023 USD to JPY in 2023-09  USD to JPY in 2023-08  USD to JPY in 2023-07  USD to JPY in 2023-06  USD to JPY in 2023-05  USD to JPY in 2023-04  USD to JPY in 2023-03  USD to JPY in 2023-02  USD to JPY in 2023-01 
USD to JPY in 2022 USD to JPY in 2022-12  USD to JPY in 2022-11  USD to JPY in 2022-10  USD to JPY in 2022-09  USD to JPY in 2022-08  USD to JPY in 2022-07  USD to JPY in 2022-06  USD to JPY in 2022-05  USD to JPY in 2022-04  USD to JPY in 2022-03  USD to JPY in 2022-02  USD to JPY in 2022-01 
USD to JPY in 2021 USD to JPY in 2021-12  USD to JPY in 2021-11  USD to JPY in 2021-10  USD to JPY in 2021-09  USD to JPY in 2021-08  USD to JPY in 2021-07  USD to JPY in 2021-06  USD to JPY in 2021-05  USD to JPY in 2021-04  USD to JPY in 2021-03  USD to JPY in 2021-02  USD to JPY in 2021-01 
USD to JPY in 2020 USD to JPY in 2020-12  USD to JPY in 2020-11  USD to JPY in 2020-10  USD to JPY in 2020-09  USD to JPY in 2020-08  USD to JPY in 2020-07  USD to JPY in 2020-06  USD to JPY in 2020-05  USD to JPY in 2020-04  USD to JPY in 2020-03  USD to JPY in 2020-02  USD to JPY in 2020-01 
USD to JPY in 2019 USD to JPY in 2019-12  USD to JPY in 2019-11  USD to JPY in 2019-10  USD to JPY in 2019-09  USD to JPY in 2019-08  USD to JPY in 2019-07  USD to JPY in 2019-06  USD to JPY in 2019-05  USD to JPY in 2019-04  USD to JPY in 2019-03  USD to JPY in 2019-02  USD to JPY in 2019-01 
USD to JPY in 2018 USD to JPY in 2018-12  USD to JPY in 2018-11  USD to JPY in 2018-10  USD to JPY in 2018-09  USD to JPY in 2018-08  USD to JPY in 2018-07  USD to JPY in 2018-06  USD to JPY in 2018-05  USD to JPY in 2018-04  USD to JPY in 2018-03  USD to JPY in 2018-02  USD to JPY in 2018-01 
USD to JPY in 2017 USD to JPY in 2017-12  USD to JPY in 2017-11  USD to JPY in 2017-10  USD to JPY in 2017-09  USD to JPY in 2017-08  USD to JPY in 2017-07  USD to JPY in 2017-06  USD to JPY in 2017-05  USD to JPY in 2017-04  USD to JPY in 2017-03  USD to JPY in 2017-02  USD to JPY in 2017-01 
USD to JPY in 2016 USD to JPY in 2016-12  USD to JPY in 2016-11  USD to JPY in 2016-10  USD to JPY in 2016-09  USD to JPY in 2016-08  USD to JPY in 2016-07  USD to JPY in 2016-06  USD to JPY in 2016-05  USD to JPY in 2016-04  USD to JPY in 2016-03  USD to JPY in 2016-02  USD to JPY in 2016-01 
USD to JPY in 2015 USD to JPY in 2015-12  USD to JPY in 2015-11  USD to JPY in 2015-10  USD to JPY in 2015-09  USD to JPY in 2015-08  USD to JPY in 2015-07  USD to JPY in 2015-06  USD to JPY in 2015-05  USD to JPY in 2015-04  USD to JPY in 2015-03  USD to JPY in 2015-02  USD to JPY in 2015-01 
USD to JPY in 2014 USD to JPY in 2014-12  USD to JPY in 2014-11  USD to JPY in 2014-10  USD to JPY in 2014-09  USD to JPY in 2014-08  USD to JPY in 2014-07  USD to JPY in 2014-06  USD to JPY in 2014-05  USD to JPY in 2014-04  USD to JPY in 2014-03  USD to JPY in 2014-02  USD to JPY in 2014-01 
USD to JPY in 2013 USD to JPY in 2013-12  USD to JPY in 2013-11  USD to JPY in 2013-10  USD to JPY in 2013-09  USD to JPY in 2013-08  USD to JPY in 2013-07  USD to JPY in 2013-06  USD to JPY in 2013-05  USD to JPY in 2013-04  USD to JPY in 2013-03  USD to JPY in 2013-02  USD to JPY in 2013-01 
USD to JPY in 2012 USD to JPY in 2012-12  USD to JPY in 2012-11  USD to JPY in 2012-10  USD to JPY in 2012-09  USD to JPY in 2012-08  USD to JPY in 2012-07  USD to JPY in 2012-06  USD to JPY in 2012-05  USD to JPY in 2012-04  USD to JPY in 2012-03  USD to JPY in 2012-02  USD to JPY in 2012-01 
USD to JPY in 2011 USD to JPY in 2011-12  USD to JPY in 2011-11  USD to JPY in 2011-10  USD to JPY in 2011-09  USD to JPY in 2011-08  USD to JPY in 2011-07  USD to JPY in 2011-06  USD to JPY in 2011-05  USD to JPY in 2011-04  USD to JPY in 2011-03  USD to JPY in 2011-02  USD to JPY in 2011-01 
USD to JPY in 2010 USD to JPY in 2010-12  USD to JPY in 2010-11  USD to JPY in 2010-10  USD to JPY in 2010-09  USD to JPY in 2010-08  USD to JPY in 2010-07  USD to JPY in 2010-06  USD to JPY in 2010-05  USD to JPY in 2010-04  USD to JPY in 2010-03  USD to JPY in 2010-02  USD to JPY in 2010-01 
USD to JPY in 2009 USD to JPY in 2009-12  USD to JPY in 2009-11  USD to JPY in 2009-10  USD to JPY in 2009-09  USD to JPY in 2009-08  USD to JPY in 2009-07  USD to JPY in 2009-06  USD to JPY in 2009-05  USD to JPY in 2009-04  USD to JPY in 2009-03  USD to JPY in 2009-02  USD to JPY in 2009-01 
USD to JPY in 2008 USD to JPY in 2008-12  USD to JPY in 2008-11  USD to JPY in 2008-10  USD to JPY in 2008-09  USD to JPY in 2008-08  USD to JPY in 2008-07  USD to JPY in 2008-06  USD to JPY in 2008-05  USD to JPY in 2008-04  USD to JPY in 2008-03  USD to JPY in 2008-02  USD to JPY in 2008-01 
USD to JPY in 2007 USD to JPY in 2007-12  USD to JPY in 2007-11  USD to JPY in 2007-10  USD to JPY in 2007-09  USD to JPY in 2007-08  USD to JPY in 2007-07  USD to JPY in 2007-06  USD to JPY in 2007-05  USD to JPY in 2007-04  USD to JPY in 2007-03  USD to JPY in 2007-02  USD to JPY in 2007-01 
USD to JPY in 2006 USD to JPY in 2006-12  USD to JPY in 2006-11  USD to JPY in 2006-10  USD to JPY in 2006-09  USD to JPY in 2006-08  USD to JPY in 2006-07  USD to JPY in 2006-06  USD to JPY in 2006-05  USD to JPY in 2006-04  USD to JPY in 2006-03  USD to JPY in 2006-02  USD to JPY in 2006-01 
USD to JPY in 2005 USD to JPY in 2005-12  USD to JPY in 2005-11  USD to JPY in 2005-10  USD to JPY in 2005-09  USD to JPY in 2005-08  USD to JPY in 2005-07  USD to JPY in 2005-06  USD to JPY in 2005-05  USD to JPY in 2005-04  USD to JPY in 2005-03  USD to JPY in 2005-02  USD to JPY in 2005-01 
USD to JPY in 2004 USD to JPY in 2004-12  USD to JPY in 2004-11  USD to JPY in 2004-10  USD to JPY in 2004-09  USD to JPY in 2004-08  USD to JPY in 2004-07  USD to JPY in 2004-06  USD to JPY in 2004-05  USD to JPY in 2004-04  USD to JPY in 2004-03  USD to JPY in 2004-02  USD to JPY in 2004-01 
USD to JPY in 2003 USD to JPY in 2003-12  USD to JPY in 2003-11  USD to JPY in 2003-10  USD to JPY in 2003-09  USD to JPY in 2003-08  USD to JPY in 2003-07  USD to JPY in 2003-06  USD to JPY in 2003-05  USD to JPY in 2003-04  USD to JPY in 2003-03  USD to JPY in 2003-02  USD to JPY in 2003-01 
USD to JPY in 2002 USD to JPY in 2002-12  USD to JPY in 2002-11  USD to JPY in 2002-10  USD to JPY in 2002-09  USD to JPY in 2002-08  USD to JPY in 2002-07  USD to JPY in 2002-06  USD to JPY in 2002-05  USD to JPY in 2002-04  USD to JPY in 2002-03  USD to JPY in 2002-02  USD to JPY in 2002-01 
USD to JPY in 2001 USD to JPY in 2001-12  USD to JPY in 2001-11  USD to JPY in 2001-10  USD to JPY in 2001-09  USD to JPY in 2001-08  USD to JPY in 2001-07  USD to JPY in 2001-06  USD to JPY in 2001-05  USD to JPY in 2001-04  USD to JPY in 2001-03  USD to JPY in 2001-02  USD to JPY in 2001-01 
USD to JPY in 2000 USD to JPY in 2000-12  USD to JPY in 2000-11  USD to JPY in 2000-10  USD to JPY in 2000-09  USD to JPY in 2000-08  USD to JPY in 2000-07  USD to JPY in 2000-06  USD to JPY in 2000-05  USD to JPY in 2000-04  USD to JPY in 2000-03  USD to JPY in 2000-02  USD to JPY in 2000-01 

All USD Exchange Rates Now

Exchange Rate Exchange Rate Exchange Rate
USD to AED rate 3.67299 ▲ USD to ALL rate 99.90754 ▲ USD to ANG rate 1.79898 ▲
USD to ARS rate 350.03818 ▲ USD to AUD rate 1.55763 ▲ USD to AWG rate 1.7975 ▲
USD to BBD rate 2 USD to BDT rate 109.54686 ▲ USD to BGN rate 1.83732 ▲
USD to BHD rate 0.37701 ▲ USD to BIF rate 2828.8289 ▲ USD to BMD rate 1
USD to BND rate 1.36331 ▲ USD to BOB rate 6.89736 ▲ USD to BRL rate 4.93537 ▲
USD to BSD rate 1 USD to BTN rate 82.7595 ▲ USD to BZD rate 2.01201 ▲
USD to CAD rate 1.34762 ▲ USD to CHF rate 0.90996 ▲ USD to CLP rate 892.85714 ▲
USD to CNY rate 7.3119 ▲ USD to COP rate 3953.36131 ▲ USD to CRC rate 534.96769 ▲
USD to CZK rate 22.9425 ▲ USD to DKK rate 7.01162 ▲ USD to DOP rate 56.65026 ▲
USD to DZD rate 137.38395 ▲ USD to EGP rate 30.89205 ▲ USD to ETB rate 55.20558 ▲
USD to EUR rate 0.94035 ▲ USD to FJD rate 2.26665 ▲ USD to GBP rate 0.8183 ▲
USD to GMD rate 64.5 ▲ USD to GNF rate 8571.84991 ▼ USD to GTQ rate 7.85561 ▲
USD to HKD rate 7.81574 ▼ USD to HNL rate 24.60183 ▼ USD to HRK rate 7.08707 ▲
USD to HTG rate 134.75491 ▲ USD to HUF rate 366.64408 ▲ USD to IDR rate 15404.69011 ▲
USD to ILS rate 3.80653 ▼ USD to INR rate 83.12939 ▲ USD to IQD rate 1307.20551 ▲
USD to IRR rate 42240 ▲ USD to ISK rate 136.63 ▲ USD to JMD rate 154.56742 ▲
USD to JOD rate 0.7094 ▲ USD to JPY rate 148.59567 ▲ USD to KES rate 147.65 ▲
USD to KMF rate 461.54987 ▲ USD to KRW rate 1338.75191 ▲ USD to KWD rate 0.30908 ▲
USD to KYD rate 0.83183 ▲ USD to KZT rate 474.3311 ▲ USD to LBP rate 15002.69595 ▲
USD to LKR rate 323.67264 ▲ USD to LSL rate 18.78261 ▼ USD to MAD rate 10.29977 ▲
USD to MDL rate 18.20507 ▲ USD to MKD rate 57.88149 ▲ USD to MNT rate 3450 ▲
USD to MOP rate 8.04069 ▲ USD to MUR rate 44.65453 ▲ USD to MVR rate 15.4 ▲
USD to MWK rate 1081.28678 ▼ USD to MXN rate 17.27 ▲ USD to MYR rate 4.685 ▼
USD to NAD rate 18.89 ▲ USD to NGN rate 783.17 ▲ USD to NIO rate 36.52814 ▲
USD to NOK rate 10.75951 ▲ USD to NPR rate 132.41483 ▲ USD to NZD rate 1.67957 ▲
USD to OMR rate 0.38501 ▲ USD to PAB rate 1 USD to PEN rate 3.73409 ▲
USD to PGK rate 3.68093 ▲ USD to PHP rate 56.8035 ▼ USD to PKR rate 287.72646 ▼
USD to PLN rate 4.31524 ▼ USD to PYG rate 7264.23591 ▲ USD to QAR rate 3.63986 ▲
USD to RON rate 4.67121 ▲ USD to RUB rate 96.14 ▼ USD to RWF rate 1209.9602 ▲
USD to SAR rate 3.75119 ▲ USD to SBD rate 8.40814 ▲ USD to SCR rate 12.8785 ▼
USD to SEK rate 11.04682 ▼ USD to SGD rate 1.36689 ▲ USD to SLL rate 20969.5 ▲
USD to SVC rate 8.73409 ▲ USD to SZL rate 18.77736 ▲ USD to THB rate 36.145 ▲
USD to TND rate 3.152 ▲ USD to TOP rate 2.38829 ▼ USD to TRY rate 27.2086 ▲
USD to TTD rate 6.77153 ▲ USD to TWD rate 32.1555 ▲ USD to TZS rate 2505 ▲
USD to UAH rate 36.86689 ▲ USD to UGX rate 3748.53823 ▲ USD to UYU rate 38.08005 ▲
USD to VUV rate 118.722 ▲ USD to WST rate 2.7185 ▼ USD to XAF rate 616.82703 ▲
USD to XCD rate 2.70255 ▲ USD to XOF rate 616.82703 ▲ USD to XPF rate 112.21322 ▲
USD to YER rate 250.32498 ▲ USD to ZAR rate 18.77948 ▲

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