China vs Japan: Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space
China
1,759
in 2025
Japan
384
in 2025
China rank
3rd
Japan rank
5th
Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space over time
- China
- Japan
How they compare
China currently reports 1,759 against 384 in Japan, a difference of 1,375.
That makes China's figure about 4.6 times Japan's.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 50 shared years of data; in 1970 it was Japan ahead.
China ranks 3rd and Japan ranks 5th of 50 countries.
Across the 6 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and Japan in 4.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Japan | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.83 | 6.67 | 1.83 | Japan |
| 1980s | 17.75 | 31.5 | 13.75 | Japan |
| 1990s | 45 | 66.1 | 21.1 | Japan |
| 2000s | 111.6 | 112.8 | 1.2 | Japan |
| 2010s | 313.2 | 201.4 | 111.8 | China |
| 2020s | 1,086 | 325.67 | 760.33 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher cumulative number of objects launched into outer space, China or Japan?
- China, at 1,759 against 384 in Japan as of 2025.
- What is the difference in cumulative number of objects launched into outer space between China and Japan?
- 1,375, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Japan?
- 50 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do China and Japan rank globally for cumulative number of objects launched into outer space?
- China ranks 3rd and Japan ranks 5th of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.