Number of people using the Internet in Japan
Japan: Number of people using the Internet was 104.21 million users in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of people using the Internet in Japan, 1990–2021
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in. Measured in users.
Analysis
In 2021, number of people using the internet in Japan stood at 104.21 million users.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.6% on the previous year and up 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people using the internet in Japan peaked at 118.49 million users in 2016 and was at its lowest, 25,050 users, in 1990.
That places Japan 7th out of 207 countries with data for 2021, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.49 million users | 25,050 users | 27.14 million users | 10 |
| 2000s | 75.34 million users | 38.10 million users | 99.99 million users | 10 |
| 2010s | 111.06 million users | 100.25 million users | 118.49 million users | 10 |
| 2020s | 109.08 million users | 104.21 million users | 113.95 million users | 2 |
Countries ranked near Japan
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)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 38.63 per 100 people (2023)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 48.05 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people using the internet in Japan?
- Number of people using the internet in Japan was 104.21 million users in 2021, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in.
- What is the highest number of people using the internet recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 118.49 million users in 2016.
- What is the lowest number of people using the internet recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,050 users in 1990.
- How does Japan rank for number of people using the internet?
- Japan ranks 7th out of 207 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of people using the internet rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in, published as part of Number of people using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of individuals using the Internet.