Life science patents granted, by technology in Japan
Japan: Life science patents granted, by technology was 4,732 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Japan, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
In 2023, life science patents granted, by technology in Japan stood at 4,732 patents.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.7% on the previous year and up 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Japan peaked at 4,923 patents in 2014 and was at its lowest, 451 patents, in 1980.
That places Japan 3rd out of 64 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 706.5 patents | 451 patents | 971 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,279 patents | 781 patents | 1,551 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,267 patents | 850 patents | 2,206 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,030 patents | 2,722 patents | 4,923 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,192 patents | 3,468 patents | 4,732 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 1 China 14,477 patents compare
- 2 United States 6,365 patents compare
- 4 South Korea 2,686 patents compare
- 5 Canada 2,144 patents compare
- 6 Australia 1,746 patents compare
More science & technology data for Japan
- Scientific and technical journal articles 96,543 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 221.92 million (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 178.43 per 100 people (2023)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 178.43 per 100 people (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 66,748 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 85.5% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 222,452 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.4% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 104.21 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 38.63 per 100 people (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Japan?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Japan was 4,732 patents in 2023, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 4,923 patents in 2014.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 451 patents in 1980.
- How does Japan rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Japan ranks 3rd out of 64 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Life science patents granted, by technology. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of pharmaceutical patents granted by the filing office in a given year. Pharmaceutical patents typically cover new drugs, biological treatments or vaccines.