The Japanese standard VAT (CT) rate is 8.0%, which is below the OECD average. The average VAT/GST¹ standard rate in the OECD was 19.3% as of 1 January 2019. The previous standard VAT rate in Japan was 5% in 2013. It changed to the current level in 2014. Japan does not have any reduced rates.

Japan must improve job quality and further reform the mandatory retirement age to address upfront the challenges of its rapidly ageing and shrinking labour force, according to a new OECD report.

This country highlight puts the spotlight on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people: their numbers, their economic situation and well-being and policies to improve LGBT inclusivity. It also includes a special chapter on people’s perceptions of social and economic risks and presents a selection of social indicators.

This country fact-sheet presents key figures from "Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class". This report analyses the trends of middle-income households in areas such as employment, consumption, wealth and debt, as well as perceptions and social attitudes. It also includes recommendations for protecting middle-class living standards and financial security in the face of economic challenges.

The Japanese economy is undergoing the longest expansion in its post-war history, marked by strong job creation and business investment. Government policy must overcome the intertwined challenges posed by rapid population ageing and high government debt to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for future generations, according to a new report from the OECD.

生産年齢人口（15歳から64歳）の減少にも関わらず、最近の景気拡大のために日本全体の雇用は着実に増加し、2018年には統計開始から過去最大となった。同年齢層の雇用率についても、過去最高に達している。

Despite a decline in its working-age population (aged 15-64), Japan’s total employment has been increasing steadily due to the recent economic expansion, and in 2018 reached its highest level since records began

The Skills Outlook Scoreboard assesses the extent to which Japan is able to make the most of digitalisation. Japan’s performance is measured along 3 main dimensions: Skills for digitalisation, Digital exposure and Skills-related policy effort.

Japan’s agriculture sector has traditionally been characterised by small-scale rice production, but has recently begun to respond to new market opportunities for higher value food products across a rapidly growing East Asia. Today, rice represents less than 20% of the value of agriculture production, and larger, more productive, and more profitable farm businesses now account for more than half of total agriculture output.

This document describes the key findings for Japan from the OECD Skills Strategy 2019.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría and Japan’s Minister of Finance Taro Aso presided today over a signing ceremony to establish a new centre of the OECD International Academy for Tax Crime Investigation in Wako, Japan.

Japan must step up enforcement of its foreign bribery laws and strengthen the capacities of its law enforcement agencies to proactively detect, investigate and prosecute the foreign bribery offence, according to a new report by the OECD Working Group on Bribery.

Japan's tax-to-GDP ratio was 30.6% in 2016* (latest available data), below the OECD average (34.2%) by 3.6 percentage points, and above the LAC and Africa (21)* averages (22.8% and 18.2%, respectively).

This country note explains how Japan taxes energy use. The note shows the distribution of effective energy tax rates across all domestic energy use. It also details the country-specific assumptions made when calculating effective energy tax rates and matching tax rates to the corresponding energy base.

Japan displays many excellent indicators of population health, including the highest life expectancy in the world. Still, many people are pessimistic about their health – 14% of adults rate their own health poorly – though this partly reflects linguo-cultural differences. Most people lead healthy lifestyles, with low rates of alcohol consumption and the lowest share of adults overweight or obese.

Key findings for Japan from the report "Pensions at a Glance 2019"

The tax-to-GDP ratio in Japan increased by 0.7 percentage points from 30.7% in 2016 to 31.4% in 2017 (latest year available). The corresponding figures for the OECD average were a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from 34.4% to 34.2% over the same period.

This note presents selected findings based on the set of well-being indicators published in How's Life? 2020.

The tax wedge for the average single worker in Japan remained the same at 32.7 percentage points between 2018 and 2019. The OECD average tax wedge in 2019 was 36.0 (2018, 36.1). In 2019 Japan had the 26th lowest tax wedge among the 36 OECD member countries, occupying the same position in 2018.

The number of employed persons in Japan decreased to 67320 Thousand in March of 2020 from 67430 Thousand in February of 2020. Employed Persons in Japan averaged 56665.61 Thousand from 1953 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 67820 Thousand in December of 2019 and a record low of 38370 Thousand in May of 1953. In Japan, employed persons are individuals with a minimum required age who work during a certain time for a business. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Employed Persons - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The global economy continues to run at low speed and many countries, particularly in Europe, seem unable to overcome the legacies of the crisis. With high unemployment, high inequality and low trust still weighing heavily, it is imperative to swiftly implement reforms that boost demand and employment and raise potential growth.

Capacity Utilization in Japan decreased to 95.10 points in December from 95.50 points in November of 2019. Capacity Utilization in Japan averaged 110.70 points from 1968 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 136.10 points in November of 1968 and a record low of 68.60 points in February of 2009. In Japan, capacity utilization is the quantity of production divided by the quantity of production capacity, expressing the state of operations for various facilities in the manufacturing industry. It does not measure the absolute level of capacity utilization but the relative capacity utilization rate compared with the benchmark year. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Capacity Utilization - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Exports to Japan in Turkey decreased to 35.67 USD Million in March from 40.92 USD Million in February of 2020. Exports to Japan in Turkey averaged 34.31 USD Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 72.73 USD Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 18.84 USD Million in August of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkey Exports to Japan.

Imports from Japan in Turkey increased to 317.76 USD Million in March from 256.71 USD Million in February of 2020. Imports from Japan in Turkey averaged 311.45 USD Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 443.57 USD Million in December of 2017 and a record low of 189.41 USD Million in February of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkey Imports from Japan.

This note is taken from Chapter 2 of Economic Policy Reforms: Going for Growth 2012.

The Great East Japan Earthquake took a heavy toll of human lives and inflicted a massive economic damage, estimated at 3½ per cent of GDP. This event requires considerable time and a nation-wide effort of reconstruction. This is the first component of Prime Minister Noda’s “Strategies to Revitalise Japan”, which we very much welcome and support, said OECD Secretary-General.

Japan is poised for an economic expansion, but long-term growth prospects remain contingent on additional efforts to revitalise the economy and reduce unsustainable levels of public debt, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Survey of Japan.

The problems of Japanese agriculture – in particular low productivity and the prevalence of part-time farmers and small plots have been evident for the past 50 years.

The 2011 disaster and nuclear problems opened the door to a new energy policy, as they raised fundamental questions about the electricity system’s ability to prevent and respond to accidents.

After two decades of low growth and persistent deflation, Japan is showing signs of renewed economic dynamism. But to regain its primacy as a leading economic powerhouse and raise the well-being of its citizens, Japan needs a structural reform package to narrow the productivity gap with leading OECD countries, notably by increasing the labour participation of women and older citizens.

The global economy continues to run at low speed and many countries, particularly in Europe, seem unable to overcome the legacies of the crisis. With high unemployment, high inequality and low trust still weighing heavily, it is imperative to swiftly implement reforms that boost demand and employment and raise potential growth.

The Japanese economy is on a path to stronger growth, but fundamental structural reforms are urgently needed to promote a more robust recovery, address high levels of government debt and reverse a trend toward declining living standards, according to the latest OECD Economic Survey of Japan.

Innovation is key to boosting economic growth in the face of a rapidly ageing population. While Japan spends heavily on education and R&D, appropriate framework conditions are essential to increase the return on such investments by strengthening competition, both domestic and international, and improving resource allocation.

The Japanese economy has gained momentum and is creating jobs, according to a new OECD report. The latest OECD Economic Survey of Japan, presented in Tokyo by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, says that per capita growth rates in recent years have matched those across the OECD – a major improvement. The Survey underlines the key role Abenomics has played in the economic revival.

Labour productivity in Japan is about a quarter below the average of the top half of OECD countries, which is surprising given Japan's outstanding performance in education and skills and high level of R&D spending.

Never in the past 30 years has productivity growth been lower than since the 2008 global financial crisis, and never has income inequality been higher than it is today in Japan, and in the OECD area

With gross government debt of 219% of GDP in 2016, Japan’s fiscal situation is in uncharted territory and puts the economy at risk.

Imports in Japan increased to 6352.93 JPY Billion in March from 5212.52 JPY Billion in February of 2020. Imports in Japan averaged 3061.86 JPY Billion from 1963 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 8047.03 JPY Billion in January of 2014 and a record low of 162.06 JPY Billion in January of 1963. In 2019 imports to Japan dropped 5 percent from the previous year's record high amid global trade tensions. Main imports were: mineral fuels (22 percent of total imports), with petroleum accounting for 10 percent and LNG for 6 percent; electrical machinery (15 percent) on the back of telephony, telegraphy and semiconductors; chemicals (10 percent) due to medical products and organic chemicals; machinery (10 percent) in particular computers and units; foodstuff (9 percent) such as fish and fish preparations and meat and meat preparations; manufactured goods (9 percent) on nonferrous metals; and raw materials (6 percent) mainly ore of nonferrous and iron ore and concentrates. Japan's main import partners were China (23 percent), the EU (12 percent) in particular Germany (3 percent), the US (11 percent), Australia (6 percent), South Korea (4 percent), Saudi Arabia (4 percent), Taiwan (4 percent), the UAE (4 percent) and Thailand (4 percent). This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Imports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Core consumer prices in Japan increased 0.40 percent in March of 2020 over the same month in the previous year. Core Inflation Rate in Japan averaged 2.48 percent from 1971 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 24.70 percent in October of 1974 and a record low of -2.40 percent in August of 2009. In Japan, the core inflation rate tracks changes in prices that consumers pay for a basket of goods which excludes prices of fresh food. This page provides - Japan Core Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

With gross government debt surpassing 200% of GDP, Japan’s fiscal situation is in uncharted territory. In addition to robust nominal GDP growth, correcting two decades of budget deficits requires a large and sustained fiscal consolidation based on a detailed and credible multi-year plan that includes measures to control spending and raise revenue.

This working paper presents the background and the details of the simulations behind Box 1.4 of the May 2013 OECD Economic Outlook. A small simulation model is used to evaluate the contribution that the three pillars of the government’s strategy – fiscal consolidation, growth-boosting structural reforms and higher inflation – could make to reversing the rise in Japan’s public debt ratio.

The Japan-OECD Policy Forum on Urban Development and Green Growth will address cities’ unique role in creating synergies between environmental and economic objectives to advance green growth. Asian cities in particular are at the centre of this challenge. This event is organised as a commemorative event for the 50th Anniversary of Japan's Accession to the OECD.

The OECD event "Risk Governance and Resilient Cities" will examine how risk governance can better manage complex risks and how to improve the resilience of cities to these risks.

With gross government debt of 226% of GDP, Japan’s fiscal situation is in uncharted territory and puts the economy at risk. Japan needs a detailed and credible fiscal consolidation plan, including specific revenue increases and measures to control spending to restore its fiscal sustainability.

Japan must make revitalising growth its number one priority with reforms to boost productivity and encourage more women and older people into jobs to compensate for its rapidly shrinking labour force, according to the OECD.

OECD Corporate Governance Working Paper No.17. This report examines the influence of institutional shareholders and their activities towards good corporate governance, the historical changes to practices within shareholder meetings and the role that institutional shareholders have played in the improvement of corporate governance within Japanese listed companies.

Japan scored 73 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in Japan averaged 71.54 Points from 1995 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 80 Points in 2011 and a record low of 58 Points in 1998. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Money Supply M2 in Japan increased to 1046007.60 JPY Billion in March from 1039844.40 JPY Billion in February of 2020. Money Supply M2 in Japan averaged 428648.14 JPY Billion from 1960 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 1046007.60 JPY Billion in March of 2020 and a record low of 8404 JPY Billion in February of 1960. Japan Money Supply M2 includes M1 plus short-term time deposits in banks. This page provides - Japan Money Supply M2 - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Loans to Private Sector in Japan increased to 476139.30 JPY Billion in March from 474788.20 JPY Billion in February of 2020. Loans to Private Sector in Japan averaged 446921.36 JPY Billion from 1991 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 536555.80 JPY Billion in March of 1996 and a record low of 375948.90 JPY Billion in June of 2005. This page provides - Japan Loans to Private Sector - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Japan is the 20 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Japan averaged 19.36 from 1995 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 25 in 1998 and a record low of 14 in 2011. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Corruption Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.