Japan is a high-income country in East Asia and the Pacific with 123 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 39% of the energy it uses, below the world average of about 47%.
Oil is the largest source of heat (40%), followed by natural gas (32%). Almost all of the heat, 92%, comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 30% of energy use and is generated mainly from fossil fuels (64%).
The country
| Population | 123 million2025 |
|---|---|
| GDP per capita | US$ 36,0002025 |
| Area | 378,000 km²2024 |
| Urban population | 92%2025 |
| Access to electricity | 100%2024 |
| Access to clean cooking | 100%2024 |
| Final energy use | 2,619 TWh2023 |
Where the energy goes
- Heat39%
- Electricity30%
- Transport31%
Heat in five numbers
| Heatshare of all final energy use | 39% |
|---|---|
| Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas | 92% |
| Oilthe largest single source of heat | 40% |
| Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating | 30% |
| Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas | 64% |
Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.