Japan: environment

How much greenhouse gas does Japan emit?

Japan emitted 1,046 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) in fiscal 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the National GHG Inventory Document of Japan (April 2026). That was 1.9% lower than the year before, 24.9% below fiscal 2013 and 17.7% below fiscal 1990.

Net of removals by forests and other land, emissions were about 997 million tonnes. Fiscal 2013 is the base year for Japan's emissions targets. The inventory is compiled by the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office at NIES and submitted to the UN each April.

Official sources: NIES: National GHG Inventory Document of Japan 2026 (PDF) · NIES: GHG inventories

How much CO2 does Japan emit?

Japan's carbon dioxide emissions were 970 million tonnes in fiscal 2024, 92.7% of total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the National GHG Inventory Document of Japan (April 2026). They were 1.7% lower than the year before, 26.0% below fiscal 2013 and 16.0% below fiscal 1990.

The figure excludes land use and forestry and indirect CO2. Most CO2 comes from burning fuel for electricity, industry and transport. Forests and other land removed 50.1 million tonnes of CO2 in the same year.

Official sources: NIES: National GHG Inventory Document of Japan 2026 (PDF)

How fast is Japan warming?

Japan's average temperature in 2025 was 1.23°C above the 1991–2020 average, the third highest since records began in 1898, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's annual mean temperature page. The agency says temperatures have risen at a long-term rate of 1.44°C per 100 years.

The agency notes that hot years have become frequent since the 1990s; 2024 was 1.48°C and 2023 1.29°C above the baseline.

Official sources: JMA: Japan's annual mean temperature

How hot was summer 2026 in Japan?

Summer 2026 (June to August) was very hot in northern and western Japan and hot in eastern Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's summary of 1 September 2026. Western Japan had its hottest mid-July, late July and late August since statistics began in 1946.

The agency puts this down to the westerly jet stream running further north than usual and frequent high pressure. Rainfall was very high on the Pacific side of eastern Japan, with typhoons and record heavy rain in Chiba in August.

Official sources: JMA: summer 2026 weather summary

How much of Japan is covered by forest?

Forests covered 68.3% of Japan's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area indicator, which draws on FAO data. The share has barely changed in recent years.

Forests also absorb carbon dioxide: Japan's greenhouse gas inventory counts their removals against emissions. The indicator includes planted forests as well as natural forest. Japan's own forest statistics are published by the Forestry Agency.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Japan

How clean is the air in Japan?

The average person in Japan was exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of 11.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 12.4 in 2022, according to the World Bank's PM2.5 exposure indicator.

The indicator is a modelled, population-weighted annual average, so it does not show local peaks or short episodes. Japan's Ministry of the Environment monitors air quality at stations across the country and publishes whether environmental standards are met.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Japan

What are Japan's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Japan was 7.8 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Japan placed 9th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 25th of 186.

What are Japan's total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Japan was 1,063 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 3rd highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 7th highest.

How much of Japan's energy is renewable?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Japan was 8.8%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 20th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 14.9%. World rank, highest first: 148th of 191.

What is Japan's forest cover?

68.3%: that is forest area as a share of land in Japan for 2024, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 8th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 53.6%. Worldwide: 19th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Japan?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 11.5 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 14.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2007 and the low 11.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020. East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Japan is 16th highest of 30. Worldwide: 143rd of 192.

How much of Japan is in national parks and reserves?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 29.7%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. East Asia & Pacific median: 15.8%; Japan is 5th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 34th of 192.

How much of Japan's fresh water is used?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 36.6%. The peak was 38.4% in 2005 and the low 36.0% in 2019. It is 3rd highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.1%. Worldwide: 45th of 175.