Transport in Japan

Japan is less highly urbanised than most Western European countries, with only 66 per cent living in urban areas. Its population of 128 million is set to peak between 2005 and 2010. It has an efficient and extensive railway system within metropolitan areas and between the large cities, used almost exclusively for passenger travel. Car traffic is increasing rapidly, but the percentage of passenger kilometres by car is the lowest of the developed countries at just over 50%. Traffic flows are relatively low. There has been a significant increase in road construction since 1970, though the limited amount of usable land affects the rate of growth.

Car ownership has grown very rapidly, particularly since 1995, and is now similar to that of Spain and Britain. The majority of cars purchased are manufactured within Japan. Ownership of motorcycles is high, though not as high per person as in Italy.

The information you see above is just a sample of what we have available in the Transport Statistics Database. Additional information can be accessed by using the Table & Graph Builder. Data about Japan can be found in the following data sets:

• General & Infrastructure
• Energy & Emissions
• Safety
• Traffic & Travel
• Vehicle Stock

• Japan Statistical Yearbook 2008