Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan
Japan: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected was 13.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan, 2013–2025
Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of territorial waters.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan is 13.8%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 2,660.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan peaked at 13.9% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.5%, in 2013.
Japan ranks 42nd of 174 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan, year by year
| Year | % of territorial waters | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0.5% | — |
| 2014 | 0.5% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 0.5% | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 8.2% | +1540.0% |
| 2017 | 8.2% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 8.2% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 8.2% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 8.2% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 13.9% | +69.5% |
| 2022 | 13.9% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 13.9% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 13.8% | -0.7% |
| 2025 | 13.8% | +0.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 13.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.7%, 1.6× the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Japan's 13.8% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 0.8%, 17.2× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 4.9% | 0.5% | 8.2% | 7 |
| 2020s | 12.9% | 8.2% | 13.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 39 South Africa 15.4% compare
- 40 Gibraltar 14.2% compare
- 41 Congo 14.1% compare
- 43 Dominican Republic 13.3% compare
- 44 Argentina 12.0% compare
- 44 United Arab Emirates 12.0% compare
More reference data data for Japan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.981 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 23.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan?
- Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Japan was 13.8% in 2025, according to Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 13.9% in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.5% in 2013.
- How does Japan rank for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?
- Japan ranks 42nd out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of marine territorial waters that are protected rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,660.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.