Politics and governmentPopulation and FamilyEconomy and industryWorkEducation and mediaScience and technologyEnvironment and energyInternational relations and national identitySecurityHealthAgriculture and FoodLeisure, culture and SportsLife World\nMajor advanced countries\nNordic and major advanced countries\nOECD members\nEU+Japan\nASIA\nTPP\n

Australia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n Choose a country to compare\n----------\nAustralia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n

All rankings including Japan\nRankings in which Japan is Top\nRankings in which Japan is Top 1-3\nRankings in which Japan is Bottom 1-3\nRankings in which Japan is Bottom\nRankings in which Japan is either Top or Bottom\nRankings in which Japan is either Top3 or Bottom3\n

Election and Democracy> Japan Voter turnout in the national election 56.0% (2021) [32/38countries] % of those who think that voting in elections is very important to be a good citizen 71.2% (2022) [14/17countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to vote in elections 5.69 (2014) [14/26countries] % of those who think that voting gives people some say about how the government runs things 47.1% (2019) [21/21countries] % of those who think that it is important that honest elections are held regularly 88.8% (2019) [20/21countries] % of those who think that the last national election was fair regarding the opportunities of the candidates and parties to campaign 46.3% (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who think that referendums are a good way to decide important political questions 61.2% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who think that it is important that people can say what they want without state/ government censorship 94.0% (2019) [14/21countries] % of those who think that giving people more say is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 42.7% (2020) [2/20countries] % of those who think that protecting freedom of speech is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 7.0% (2020) [17/20countries] % of those who are satisfied with the way democracy is working 36.7% (2023) [13/16countries] % of those who are proud of their country in the way democracy works 71.5% (2013) [8/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy works well in their country today 5.24 (2014) [16/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy worked well in their country 10 years ago 5.33 (2014) [18/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy will work well in their country 10 years from now 4.82 (2014) [21/26countries] % of those who are optimistic about the future of their country's political system 35.2% (2019) [13/21countries] % of those who think that their country's political system needs major reform 66.4% (2021) [8/15countries] % of those who think that the state is run for the benefit of all the people 43.2% (2019) [18/21countries] Extent to which people think it important that all citizens have an adequate standard of living 5.97 (2014) [24/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that government authorities respect and protect the rights of minorities 4.59 (2014) [26/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people be given more opportunities to participate in public decision-making 5.34 (2014) [25/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens may engage in acts of civil disobedience when they oppose government actions 4.43 (2014) [17/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that governments respect democratic rights whatever the circumstances 5.66 (2014) [24/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people convicted of serious crimes lose their citizen rights 4.94 (2014) [15/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that long-term residents of a country, who are not citizens, have the right to vote in that country�fs national elections 4.59 (2014) [6/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens have the right not to vote 3.61 (2014) [26/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that health care be provided for everyone 6.43 (2014) [18/26countries] % of those who think that it is important that human rights organizations are allowed to operate without interference 89.2% (2019) [14/21countries] % of those who think that a democratic system where citizens, not elected officials, vote directly on major national issues to decide what becomes law is good 65.5% (2023) [11/16countries] % of those who think that a democratic system where representatives elected by citizens decide what becomes law is good 78.1% (2023) [15/16countries] % of those who think that a system where a strong leader can make decisions without interference from parliament or the courts 35.1% (2023) [3/16countries] % of those who think that a system where experts, not elected officials, make decisions 59.3% (2023) [6/16countries] % of those who think that a system where the military rules the country 15.6% (2023) [2/16countries] Parliament> Japan Inhabitants per parliamentarian 179,488 (As of August 2021) [3/38countries] % of women in parliament 10.34% (As of December 31, 2023) [38/38countries] % of MPs 40 years of age or younger 6.02% (As of December 31, 2023) [37/38countries] % of those who have confidence in parliament 34.1% (2018) [23/24countries] Degree of trust in national parliament (0-10 scale) 3.75 (2020) [14/20countries] % of those who think that MPs try to keep the promises they have made during the election 10.2% (2016) [22/25countries] % of those who think that the parliament considers your action if you take action against an unjust or harmful law 6.2% (2014) [25/26countries] Politician> Japan Women in ministerial positions (% of all ministers) 8.3% (As of 1 January 2023) [36/38countries] % of those who think that men have more opportunities of being leaders in local communities 65.6% (2019) [4/21countries] % of those who think that women have more opportunities of being leaders in local communities 2.1% (2019) [16/21countries] % of those who think that men and women have about the same opportunities of being leaders in local communities 32.3% (2019) [18/21countries] Average age of cabinet members 64.68 (2022) [1/38countries] % of those who trust politicians 9.3% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that most elected officials care what people think 26.7% (2023) [11/16countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for their own interest 52.9% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who think that many politicians are involved in corruption 36.2% (2016) [14/25countries] % of those who think that policies improve if more elected officials care were women 37.0% (2023) [15/16countries] % of those who think that policies improve if more elected officials care were from poor backgrounds 25.8% (2023) [16/16countries] % of those who think that policies improve if more elected officials care were businesspeople 24.9% (2023) [15/16countries] % of those who think that policies improve if more elected officials care were religious 4.7% (2023) [16/16countries] % of those who think that policies improve if more elected officials care were young adults 36.7% (2023) [15/16countries] Political party and organization> Japan % of those who think that political parties encourage people to become active in politics 18.4% (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who think that none of the political parties represent their views well 42.9% (2023) [9/16countries] % of those who think that political parties do not give voters real policy choices 53.4% (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who belong to a political party 5.4% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who think that people who vote for the party/the parties in government have the most influence on the actions of the government 18.3% (2016) [4/25countries] % of those who think that it is important that opposition parties can operate freely 81.0% (2019) [20/21countries] % of those who think that the conflicts between people who support different political parties are strong in their country 41.8% (2022) [15/17countries] % of those who think that the conflicts between people who support different political parties are strong in the United States 87.3% (2022) [6/17countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to be active in social or political associations 3.82 (2014) [18/26countries] Political awareness> Japan Degree of interest in politics (5 steps) 2.87 (2016) [14/24countries] % of those interested in politics (4 choices) 63.3% (2014) [4/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is left 4.1% (2014) [26/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is center 63.2% (2014) [2/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is right 14.5% (2014) [19/26countries] Average of political position 5.51 (2014) [5/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 44.8% (2014) [17/26countries] % of young people (-29) who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 28.1% (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who think that men have more opportunities of expressing their political views 47.8% (2019) [3/21countries] % of those who think that women have more opportunities of expressing their political views 2.0% (2019) [14/21countries] % of those who think that men and women have about the same opportunities of expressing their political views 50.2% (2019) [19/21countries] % of those who read the political content of a newspaper every day 37.8% (2014) [4/18countries] % of those who never read the political content of a newspaper 28.1% (2014) [9/18countries] % of those who use the media to obtain political news or information every day 62.0% (2014) [22/26countries] % of those who never use the media to obtain political news or information 4.5% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who watch political news on television every day 60.5% (2014) [4/18countries] % of those who never watch political news on television 7.0% (2014) [9/18countries] % of those who listen to political news on the radio every day 15.3% (2014) [15/18countries] % of those who never listen to political news on the radio 63.5% (2014) [3/18countries] % of those who use the Internet to obtain political news or information every day 19.3% (2014) [12/17countries] % of those who never use the Internet to obtain political news or information 57.5% (2014) [4/17countries] % of those who think that following what is happening in politics in their country is very important to be a good citizen 77.0% (2022) [2/17countries] % of those who have expressed political views on the internet 1.9% (2014) [26/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes try to persuade your friends, relatives or fellow workers to share their political opinion 14.4% (2014) [26/26countries] % of those who think that others are better informed about politics and government 24.0% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who think that they understand political issues of the country 17.8% (2016) [25/25countries] % of those who think that ordinary citizens have no political voice 9.4% (2017) [21/21countries] % of those who think that people have an influence on politics 27.2% (2022) [12/17countries] % of those who think that citizens in general has the most influence on the actions of the government 6.9% (2016) [15/25countries] % of those who do not think that the government cares much what people like them think 65.9% (2014) [7/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to keep watch on the actions of government 5.53 (2014) [11/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to try to understand the reasoning of people with other opinions 5.28 (2014) [22/26countries] Political action> Japan % of those who would take action when the parliament considers an unjust or harmful law 20.8% (2014) [23/26countries] % of those who have attempted to contact a politician or a civil servant to express their views 4.6% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who have donated money or raised funds for a social or political activity 25.5% (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who have signed a petition 42.6% (2014) [18/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to choose products for political, ethical or environmental reasons, even if they cost a bit more 4.33 (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who take part in activities of political parties, political groups or associations once a month or more 0.9% (2017) [21/21countries] % of those who never take part in activities of political parties, political groups or associations 92.1% (2017) [2/21countries] % of those who have attended a political meeting 10.7% (2014) [23/26countries] % of those who would attend a public meeting organized to protest against a government action they strongly opposed 22.7% (1996) [18/18countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise public meetings to protest against the government 87.4% (2016) [13/25countries] % of those who have attended demonstrations 7.1% (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who think that joining demonstrations about issues you think are important is very important to be a good citizen 8.5% (2022) [17/17countries] % of those who would go on a protest march or demonstration to protest against a government action they strongly opposed 18.2% (1996) [18/18countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise protest marches and demonstrations 78.4% (2016) [16/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to hold public meetings 67.5% (2016) [4/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by force should be allowed to hold public meetings 4.7% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to publish books expressing their views 77.2% (2016) [4/25countries] Public officials> Japan Employment in general government as % of total employment 4.55% (2021) [34/34countries] % of those who trust in civil servants 17.3% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that the public service is committed to serve the people 24.6% (2014) [25/25countries] % of those who think that few public officials are involved in corruption 35.3% (2014) [12/26countries] % of those who think that many public officials are involved in corruption 18.9% (2016) [17/25countries] % of those who say that they or their family have never come across a public official who hinted/ wanted a bribe in the last five years 87.1% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those who turn to family members or close friends first to help them with administrative problems or official paperwork 60.7% (2017) [5/21countries] % of those who turn to private companies first to help them with administrative problems or official paperwork 2.9% (2017) [17/21countries] % of those who turn to public services first to help them with administrative problems or official paperwork 32.0% (2017) [3/21countries] Public finance> Japan General government expenditures as % of GDP 42.2% (2023) [24/38countries] General government primary net lending/borrowing as % of GDP -5.6% (2023) [36/38countries] General government gross debt as % of GDP 252.4% (2023) [1/38countries] % of those who are in favour of cuts in government spending 74.1% (2016) [7/25countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of GDP 0.9% (2022) [25/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of GDP 1.2% (2022) [26/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of GDP 5.5% (2022) [13/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of GDP 1.1% (2022) [3/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of GDP 0.6% (2022) [10/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of GDP 9.3% (2022) [2/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of GDP 0.4% (2022) [29/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of GDP 3.4% (2022) [31/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of GDP 17.1% (2022) [14/32countries] Tax> Japan General government revenues as % of GDP 36.5% (2023) [27/38countries] Value Added Tax/ General Sales Tax - Rates 10.0% (2022) [32/36countries] Corporate income tax rate (central + sub-central) 29.74% (2024) [7/36countries] Taxes on income, profits and capital gains, % of GDP 10.9% (2021) [21/38countries] Social security contributions, % of GDP 13.3% (2021) [8/38countries] Taxes on property, % of GDP 2.7% (2021) [11/38countries] Taxes on goods and services, % of GDP 7.1% (2021) [32/38countries] % of those who think that taxes are too high for those with high incomes 21.4% (2019) [9/20countries] % of those who think that taxes are too low for those with high incomes 57.1% (2019) [4/20countries] % of those who think that people with high incomes should pay a larger % of their income in taxes than those with low incomes 90.2% (2019) [1/20countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, never to try to evade taxes 6.42 (2014) [5/26countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often make sure people pay their taxes 67.5% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often treat everyone in accordance with the law, regardless of their contacts or position in society 54.7% (2016) [9/25countries] Social security> Japan % of those who are proud of their country in its social security system 56.2% (2013) [12/26countries] % of those who think that the social benefits in their country make people lazy 21.5% (2017) [21/21countries] % of those who would like to see more government spending in old age pensions 46.0% (2016) [22/25countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a decent standard of living for the old 76.3% (2016) [25/25countries] % of those who think that the government is successful in the provision of decent life for the old 25.3% (2016) [10/15countries] % of those who think that the government should primarily provide care for older people 64.1% (2017) [15/21countries] % of those who think that private companies should primarily provide care for older people 15.7% (2017) [1/21countries] % of those who think that family, relatives or friends should primarily provide care for older people 14.2% (2017) [12/21countries] % of those who think "government agencies should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 20.5% (2012) [27/31countries] % of those who think that the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of the help to elderly people 53.1% (2012) [23/31countries] Maternal leave benefits (% of wages) 67 (2017) [28/32countries] % of those who think that 1-6 months of paid parental leave is necessary 39.4% (2012) [12/31countries] % of those who think that 7-12 months of paid parental leave is necessary 32.0% (2012) [15/31countries] % of those who think that 13-36 months of paid parental leave is necessary 12.9% (2012) [14/31countries] % of those who think that the government should pay for parental leave 26.1% (2012) [24/31countries] % of those who think that the employer should pay for parental leave 12.4% (2012) [6/31countries] % of those who think that both the government and the employer should pay for parental leave 59.5% (2012) [8/31countries] % of those who think the employers should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 1.1% (2012) [25/31countries] % of those who think the family itself should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 60.3% (2012) [11/31countries] % of those who think the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 38.6% (2012) [18/31countries] % of those who think government agencies should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 11.1% (2012) [29/31countries] % of those who think that poverty is the most important issue for their country 6.7% (2020) [9/20countries] % of those who think that the government should spend less on benefits for the poor 7.4% (2009) [24/30countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing decent housing for those who can't afford it 37.6% (2016) [25/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to help people in the country who are worse off than themselves 5.03 (2014) [24/26countries] Law and Justice> Japan % of those who think that it is worse to convict an innocent person than to let a guilty person go free 73.9% (2016) [13/25countries] % of those who follow conscience rather than law on occasions (2 choices) 65.6% (2016) [4/25countries] % of those who follow conscience rather than law on occasions (5 choices) 43.2% (2000) [5/11countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to obey laws and regulations 6.36 (2014) [6/26countries] Extent to which people trust the courts 6.26 (2017) [7/21countries] % of those who have confidence in the justice system (5 choices) 75.5% (2018) [10/24countries] % of those who think that it is important that there is a judicial system that treats everyone in the same way 96.5% (2019) [14/21countries]