Country profile · East Asia
Japan
Japan has the world's fourth-largest economy and hosts more US troops than any other country, about 54,000. It has no nuclear weapons of its own and relies on American protection. China is both its largest trading partner and its main rival.
Where Japan ranks
All rankings →Who runs Japan?
Sanae Takaichi has been prime minister since October 2025. She is the first woman to hold the job. Her Liberal Democratic Party has governed for all but about four years since 1955. In a snap election in February 2026 the party won 316 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, the most any single party has won since World War II.
- Liberal Democratic Party 316
- Ishin, its coalition partner 36
- Other parties 113
Portrait: Cabinet Public Affairs Office of Japan, CC BY 4.0
Who are Japan's allies and rivals?
The United States has been Japan's treaty ally since 1952. It has pledged to act if territory that Japan controls is attacked, although the pledge is not an automatic guarantee. Japan works with the United States, Australia and India in the Quad. It has troop access agreements with Australia, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. China, North Korea and Russia are its main rivals.
Allies and partners
United StatesTreaty ally, about 54,000 US troops in Japan
AustraliaQuad, troop access agreement (2022)
IndiaQuad
PhilippinesTroop access agreement, 2024
United KingdomTroop access agreement, 2023
South KoreaPartner, but disputes Takeshima
Rivals
ChinaClaims the Senkaku Islands
North KoreaFired missiles over Japan, last in 2022
RussiaHas held the Northern Territories since 1945
- Senkaku Islands Held by Japan, claimed by China and Taiwan
- Takeshima (Dokdo) Held by South Korea, claimed by Japan
- Northern Territories Held by Russia since 1945, claimed by Japan
- Japan
- Partner
- Rival
Who does Japan trade with?
The United States is Japan's largest export market, with 18.5% of its exports in 2025. China is its largest source of imports, with 23.6%. Japan exported $738 billion of goods in 2025 and imported $758 billion. Cars are the top export, followed by semiconductors and electronic parts, then chip-making equipment. Crude oil and liquefied natural gas are the top imports.
Sells to
Share of Japan's exports
- United States18.5%
- China17.0%
Taiwan7.2%- South Korea6.3%
- Hong Kong5.8%
Buys from
Share of Japan's imports
- China23.6%
- United States11.4%
- Australia6.0%
- Taiwan4.4%
United Arab Emirates4.3%
Goods trade, 2025. Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics of Japan.
How strong is Japan's military?
Japan spent $62.2 billion on its military in 2025, the 10th most in the world. That is 1.4% of its GDP, its highest share since 1958. The IISS counts about 247,000 active troops in the Self-Defense Forces. Article 9 of the 1947 constitution renounces war. The government reads the constitution as allowing forces for self-defense.
Military spending, 2025
Full ranking →- China est.$336bn
- Russia est.$190bn
- India$92.1bn
- Japan$62.2bn
- South Korea$47.8bn
- Australia$35.3bn
- Taiwan$18.2bn
SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, 2026 edition
Does Japan have nuclear weapons?
No. Japan is the only country ever attacked with nuclear weapons, at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Since 1967 its policy, the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, has been not to possess, produce or allow nuclear weapons into the country. Japan relies on the US nuclear umbrella. Prime Minister Takaichi says Japan keeps the principles, but she has not said whether they will stay in the new security documents due by the end of 2026.