Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan
Japan: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 772.77 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan stood at 772.77 hectares.
The figure is up 38.5% on the previous year and down 21.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan peaked at 2,554 hectares in 2013 and was at its lowest, 42.93 hectares, in 2016.
That places Japan 115th out of 225 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 372.97 hectares | 107.33 hectares | 772.77 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 867.22 hectares | 42.93 hectares | 2,554 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 996.02 hectares | 85.86 hectares | 2,469 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 112 France 1,052 hectares compare
- 113 North Korea 923.03 hectares compare
- 114 Haiti 837.17 hectares compare
- 115 East Timor 772.77 hectares compare
- 117 Bangladesh 729.84 hectares compare
- 118 Dominican Republic 708.37 hectares compare
More reference data data for Japan
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.24 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.1053 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.7172 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.9 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.5865 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 118.04 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Japan was 772.77 hectares in 2024, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 2,554 hectares in 2013.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.93 hectares in 2016.
- How does Japan rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Japan ranks 115th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Area burned by wildfires by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of shrubland and grassland burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes open and closed shrublands and grasslands without a significant tree cover.