Tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan
Japan: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 152.97 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan stood at 152.97 hectares.
That represents a change of up 773.5% on the previous year and up 303.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan peaked at 176.24 hectares in 2004 and was at its lowest, 0.1281 hectares, in 2015.
Japan ranks 82nd of 152 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.83 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 146.88 hectares | +1775.1% |
| 2003 | 13.89 hectares | -90.5% |
| 2004 | 176.24 hectares | +1168.9% |
| 2005 | 84.2 hectares | -52.2% |
| 2006 | 68.2 hectares | -19.0% |
| 2007 | 38.44 hectares | -43.6% |
| 2008 | 72.34 hectares | +88.2% |
| 2009 | 89.87 hectares | +24.2% |
| 2010 | 16.33 hectares | -81.8% |
| 2011 | 158.97 hectares | +873.7% |
| 2012 | 61.99 hectares | -61.0% |
| 2013 | 27.08 hectares | -56.3% |
| 2014 | 37.94 hectares | +40.1% |
| 2015 | 0.1281 hectares | -99.7% |
| 2016 | 41.48 hectares | +32279.8% |
| 2017 | 103.62 hectares | +149.8% |
| 2018 | 124.43 hectares | +20.1% |
| 2019 | 42.5 hectares | -65.8% |
| 2020 | 19.89 hectares | -53.2% |
| 2021 | 18.79 hectares | -5.5% |
| 2022 | 4.68 hectares | -75.1% |
| 2023 | 17.51 hectares | +273.9% |
| 2024 | 152.97 hectares | +773.5% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 152.97 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 152.21 hectares, 1.0× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Japan's 152.97 hectares is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 835.53 hectares, 18% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +32279.8% | 0.1281 hectares | 41.48 hectares |
| 2002 | +1775.1% | 7.83 hectares | 146.88 hectares |
| 2004 | +1168.9% | 13.89 hectares | 176.24 hectares |
| 2011 | +873.7% | 16.33 hectares | 158.97 hectares |
| 2024 | +773.5% | 17.51 hectares | 152.97 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 77.54 hectares | 7.83 hectares | 176.24 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 61.45 hectares | 0.1281 hectares | 158.97 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.77 hectares | 4.68 hectares | 152.97 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
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 tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in Japan was 152.97 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 176.24 hectares in 2004.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1281 hectares in 2015.
- How does Japan rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- Japan ranks 82nd out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 303.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Tree cover loss from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Tree cover loss due to fire with no visible human conversion or agricultural activity afterward. Fires may be started by natural causes (e.g. lightning) or may be related to human activities (accidental or deliberate).