Adults with 100 thousand to *********** U.S. dollars in wealth made up around ** percent of the Japanese population in 2020, while the second largest share of people were worth between 10,000 and 100,000 dollars. Together, these groups accounted for approximately ** percent of the population.

Wealth versus income

Wealth, as opposed to income, measures the ownership of assets in a society. Together with GDP, GDP per capita, and household disposable income, it helps to understand the economic well-being of households. Furthermore, the distribution of wealth gives an indication about the degree of equality in a society. Illustrated by its wealth distribution, Japan can be considered relatively equal compared to other countries.

Egalitarian corporate culture

In recent years, wealth inequality has become the subject of increasing focus among policymakers, academics and the general public. While several factors have contributed to the high equality in the country, it is safe to say that the egalitarian ethic in Japanese corporate culture is one of these reasons. This is reflected, for example, in the income structure; Japanese CEOs earn remarkably less than their counterparts in the United Kingdom or the United States. In a ranking of the average income of business leaders worldwide by country, Japan did not even make it into the list of the top ten countries.

A breakdown of annual household incomes in Japan showed that around ***** percent of households earned less than *** million Japanese yen per year as of 2024. That year, the average annual household income of Japanese households was approximately *** million yen compared to a median household income of *** million yen.

In 2022, there were close to 2.6 million high net worth individuals (HNWI) with a net worth of one to five million U.S. dollars in Japan, compared to 77 individuals with a net worth of over 500 million dollars. Japan has a population of 125.85 million.

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data was reported at 39.700 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 39.700 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 20% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Japan JP: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data was reported at 32.100 % in 2008. Japan JP: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 32.100 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate 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.WDI: Poverty. Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

In 2022, financial assets per adult in Japan amounted to approximately 146 thousand U.S. dollars. Financial assets accounted for around 60 percent of the gross wealth per adult in Japan, which reached around 243.4 thousand dollars in 2022.

This is the replication package for the paper, Kumon (2025) "Adoption, Inheritance, and Wealth Inequality in Pre-industrial Japan and Western Europe" in the Journal of Economic History

As of March 2024, currency and deposits accounted for the largest share of financial assets held by households in Japan with 50.9 percent. Currency and deposits were followed by insurance, pension, and standardized guarantees with about 24.6 percent. Household financial assets in Japan amounted to over two quadrillion Japanese yen in 2024.

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data was reported at 24.700 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 24.700 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Highest 10% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Japan's share of global wealth stood at approximately **** percent in 2022, down from around *** percent in 2013. The total wealth held by adults in Japan amounted to approximately ** trillion U.S. dollars in 2022.

Japan PA: Flow: PI: Corporation Income Distribution (CD) data was reported at 21,173.800 JPY bn in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,654.400 JPY bn for 2014. Japan PA: Flow: PI: Corporation Income Distribution (CD) data is updated yearly, averaging 11,910.900 JPY bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to 2015, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21,712.100 JPY bn in 2007 and a record low of 6,182.200 JPY bn in 1995. Japan PA: Flow: PI: Corporation Income Distribution (CD) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Economic and Social Research Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.A086: SNA 93: Benchmark Year=2005: Income & Outlay Accounts: By Institution: Primary Income Acc Allocation: Fiscal Year.

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Fourth 20% data was reported at 22.700 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Fourth 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 22.700 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Fourth 20% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data was reported at 2.700 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 2.700 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

NDI: NI: PI: HH: Payable (consumer debt interest) data was reported at 142.000 JPY bn in Mar 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 141.900 JPY bn for Dec 2014. NDI: NI: PI: HH: Payable (consumer debt interest) data is updated quarterly, averaging 354.200 JPY bn from Mar 1994 (Median) to Mar 2015, with 85 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 730.900 JPY bn in Jun 1995 and a record low of 109.600 JPY bn in Mar 2013. NDI: NI: PI: HH: Payable (consumer debt interest) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Economic and Social Research Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.A075: SNA 93: Benchmark Year=2005: Distribution of National Income and National Disposable Income.

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Third 20% data was reported at 17.300 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Third 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 17.300 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Third 20% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

In 2024, the income on inward foreign direct investment (FDI) from Europe to Japan amounted to over *** trillion Japanese yen. North America followed, with income from FDI amounting to around *** trillion yen.

Japan JP: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data was reported at 9.100 % in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.700 % for 2010. Japan JP: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data is updated yearly, averaging 9.100 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2013, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.700 % in 2008 and a record low of 8.700 % in 2010. Japan JP: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % 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.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The percentage of people in the population who live in households whose per capita income or consumption is below half of the median income or consumption per capita. The median is measured at 2017 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the Poverty and Inequality Platform (http://www.pip.worldbank.org). For some countries, medians are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Japan JP: Income Share Held by Second 20% data was reported at 12.900 % in 2008. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Second 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 12.900 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2008, with 1 observations. Japan JP: Income Share Held by Second 20% 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.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

According to findings by Capgemini, equity accounted for 36 percent of the assets of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Japan as of January 2022. Equity was followed by cash and cash equivalents.

In 2023, the gender pay gap for the median wages in Japan was ** percent. Compared to other OECD countries, Japan was one of the countries with the highest gender pay gap during the measured period.