According to an annual survey, the share of people in Japan who use the internet stood at 85.6 percent in 2024. The internet penetration rate slightly decreased compared to the previous year. Spread of the internet in JapanCommercial internet services became available in Japan in the early 1990s and were adopted by an increasing number of people in the years that followed. The use of modems was made possible by the Telecommunications Business Act, which came into effect in 1985 and liberalized the telecommunications business. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTT), which had a monopoly on the telecommunications system until then, was privatized during that year. Compared to other parts of Asia, regulation of internet service providers (ISPs) in Japan was less strict, which made it easy for entrepreneurs to establish related startups. However, high-speed digital leased lines were comparatively expensive. A further hurdle that had to be overcome was the complexity of the Japanese writing system. As these problems became solved, the internet gained greater acceptance in Japan, so that by the early 2000s it was used by a majority of people in the country. Survey figures indicate, however, that there remain differences based on age group, household income, and the regions people live in. Internet usage todaySurvey data also show that the most common reasons for using the internet in Japan are social networking services, communicating with other people via e-mail, and the looking up of information. Among social networks, X and Instagram enjoy a particularly high popularity, while LINE reigns supreme among messaging apps. The main devices used to access the internet are smartphones and PCs. Leading internet service providers include Asahi Net, Biglobe, Nifty Corporation, NTT Plala, and So-net, while the three major mobile carriers in Japan are NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and SoftBank. E-commerce giant Rakuten joined the competition by launching its own mobile carrier service in 2020.

The number of internet users in Japan amounted to around ***** million in 2021. This figure was projected to increase to almost ***** million internet users by 2026. Japan’s online populationJapan is among the countries with the highest number of internet users in the world. It is home to one of the most advanced IT industries and has a very high internet penetration rate. When it comes to devices, most people use smartphones to access the internet, which indicates the prevalence of mobile internet connections. Partly as a countermeasure against the rapid aging of the population in Japan, the Japanese government introduced the concept of "Society 5.0" in 2016, which aims to increase the digitalization and connectivity of the economy as well as various aspects of social life. This industry policy will further increase the importance of the internet in the future. Current usageA survey on the most common reasons why people in Japan use the internet showed that using social networking services, communicating via email, and searching for information were among the leading activities. The same survey also showed that a majority of people engaged in using video sharing websites and purchasing goods and services online. While many people in Japan are avid users of the internet, surveys show that most have concerns regarding online safety. According to one survey, a clear majority of respondents feel insecure when using the internet, mainly because of privacy and security concerns. In a different survey, the vast majority Japanese respondents stated that they wanted to do more to protect their privacy.

Japan: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2022 is 84.92 percent, an increase from 82.91 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 71.68 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Japan from 1990 to 2022 is 53.64 percent. The minimum value, 0.02 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 93.18 percent was recorded in 2016.

The Minami-Kanto region had an internet penetration rate of **** percent in 2023, which was the highest figure among the various regions in Japan. The Minami-Kanto region consists of the prefectures Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa.

Japan JP: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data was reported at 90.873 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 93.183 % for 2016. Japan JP: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 55.415 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 93.183 % in 2016 and a record low of 0.020 % in 1990. Japan JP: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank: Telecommunication. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.; ; International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.; Weighted average; Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data.

A survey conducted in Japan during fiscal year 2023 showed that the messaging app LINE was used by almost 95 percent of the respondents. While globally leading networks such as Instagram, X, and Facebook do get their fair share of popularity within the Japanese social media market, the only platform able to compete with LINE in terms of penetration rates is YouTube, which was used by almost 88 percent of the respondents. What makes LINE so popular?The success story of the messaging service LINE started back in 2011 during the Great East Japan Earthquake. While conventional communication channels in affected areas had broken down to a large degree due to damages brought about by the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami, official sources as well as private individuals turned to online options for communicating news and confirming the safety of friends and family members. The LINE app, which was initially developed for communication between employees at NHN Japan, a Japanese subsidiary of the South Korean internet powerhouse Naver, was released for public use later that year. It appealed greatly to Japanese consumers due to its unique and customizable design, which allowed for both private and business usage. Today, the app is operated by LY Corporation, which is part of a joint venture between SoftBank Group and Naver.How do Japanese use social networks?As a comparison of social network penetration rates of different countries shows, a vast majority of people in Japan use social networks. People in Japan on average spend several dozen minutes per weekday on social media, making social media one of the most time-consuming online activities. According to a survey, the leading reasons for using social media are communicating with already existing acquaintances as well as searching for information.

A survey conducted in Japan in August 2023 showed that a majority of women throughout all age groups used the internet, except for those aged 80 years and older. The internet penetration rate was highest among women in their thirties, of whom more than ** percent used the internet. A comparison with the internet penetration rate among men in Japan shows that women aged 70 years and older were considerably less likely to use the internet than men of the same age.

The average time people in Japan spent on viewing video sharing websites per weekday stood at 54 minutes in fiscal year 2023. During that year, the total average time people in Japan spent on using the internet per weekday amounted to 194.2 minutes.

The mobile internet penetration rate in Japan amounted to approximately 93.1 percent in 2023. This figure was projected to increase to almost 95 percent by 2028. The total population of Japan was expected to decrease from about 124.6 million in 2023 to around 122.1 million by 2028.

According to a survey conducted in Japan in August 2023, more than ** percent of respondents between the ages of 13 and 49 used the internet. Among respondents aged 80 years and older, the internet penetration rate stood at **** percent.

People in Japan on average spent 38.9 minutes per weekday on using social media in fiscal year 2023. The usage time decreased for the first time in five years.

Forecast: Total Internet Users in Japan 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Over ** percent of people in their twenties and thirties in Japan used smartphones to access the internet as of ***********. Smartphones were used to access the internet by a majority of people across almost all age groups.

Mobile internet usage in Japan

Mobile internet usage has become much more common in Japan mainly due to the spread of smartphones and tablets during the *****. Today, smartphones are the leading internet access devices. Mobile internet connections are used for a variety of purposes, such as communicating with friends via social media and messaging apps or watching entertaining shows via streaming services.

Insecurity while using internet

Despite a high internet penetration rate across almost all age groups, most Japanese respondents reported to feel insecure when using the internet. This tendency was more common among older age groups. A ranking showing the leading reasons why people feel insecure when using the internet was led by a possible leak of personal information or one's access history. Other worries that were shared by a majority of respondents were computer viruses as well as false billings or frauds.

Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Gaming Console: Ecosia data was reported at 0.000 % in 11 May 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 10 May 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Gaming Console: Ecosia data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % from Nov 2024 (Median) to 11 May 2025, with 187 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.570 % in 13 Feb 2025 and a record low of 0.000 % in 11 May 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Gaming Console: Ecosia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statcounter Global Stats. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.SC.IU: Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share.

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in Japan was reported at 87 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Individuals using the Internet (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Japan JP: Number of Subscriber: Internet: FTTH Access Services Users data was reported at 30,547,815.000 Unit in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 30,312,995.000 Unit for Mar 2018. Japan JP: Number of Subscriber: Internet: FTTH Access Services Users data is updated quarterly, averaging 23,202,234.000 Unit from Jun 2004 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30,547,815.000 Unit in Jun 2018 and a record low of 1,757,716.000 Unit in Jun 2004. Japan JP: Number of Subscriber: Internet: FTTH Access Services Users data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of internal affairs and communications. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.TB001: Internet Service Provider and Subscriber.

Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Tablet: Shenma data was reported at 0.000 % in 06 May 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 05 May 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Tablet: Shenma data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % from May 2024 (Median) to 06 May 2025, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.080 % in 02 May 2025 and a record low of 0.000 % in 06 May 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share: Tablet: Shenma data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statcounter Global Stats. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.SC.IU: Internet Usage: Search Engine Market Share.

This dataset is about countries per year in Japan. It has 64 rows. It features 4 columns: country, individuals using the Internet, and population.

Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Casper data was reported at 0.000 % in 28 Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 27 Feb 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Casper data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % from Nov 2024 (Median) to 28 Feb 2025, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.060 % in 14 Nov 2024 and a record low of 0.000 % in 28 Feb 2025. Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Casper data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statcounter Global Stats. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.SC.IU: Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share.

Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Kobo data was reported at 0.000 % in 06 Oct 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 05 Oct 2024. Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Kobo data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % from Sep 2024 (Median) to 06 Oct 2024, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.130 % in 29 Sep 2024 and a record low of 0.000 % in 06 Oct 2024. Japan Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share: Tablet: Kobo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statcounter Global Stats. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.SC.IU: Internet Usage: Device Vendor Market Share.