Methane emissions in Japan
Japan: Methane emissions was 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
55th
of 199 countries
All-time high
77.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1970
All-time low
8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in Japan, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
In 2024, methane emissions in Japan stood at 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and down 12.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Japan peaked at 77.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1970 and was at its lowest, 8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
Japan ranks 55th of 199 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.
Methane emissions in Japan, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 8.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1852 | 8.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1853 | 8.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1854 | 8.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1855 | 8.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1856 | 8.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1857 | 8.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1858 | 8.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1859 | 8.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1860 | 9.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1861 | 9.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1862 | 9.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1863 | 9.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1864 | 9.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1865 | 9.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1866 | 9.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1867 | 9.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1868 | 9.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1869 | 9.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1870 | 9.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1871 | 9.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1872 | 9.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1873 | 9.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1874 | 9.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1875 | 9.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1876 | 9.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1877 | 9.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1878 | 9.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1879 | 10.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1880 | 10.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1881 | 10.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1882 | 10.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1883 | 10.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1884 | 10.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1885 | 10.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1886 | 10.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1887 | 10.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1888 | 11.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1889 | 11.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1890 | 11.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 11.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1892 | 11.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1893 | 11.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1894 | 12.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1895 | 12.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1896 | 12.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1897 | 12.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1898 | 13.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1899 | 13.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1900 | 13.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1901 | 13.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1902 | 14.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1903 | 14.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1904 | 14.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1905 | 14.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1906 | 15.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1907 | 15.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1908 | 15.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1909 | 15.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1910 | 16.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1911 | 16.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1912 | 17.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1913 | 17.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1914 | 18.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1915 | 17.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.5% |
| 1916 | 18.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1917 | 19.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1918 | 19.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1919 | 20.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1920 | 19.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1921 | 19.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.8% |
| 1922 | 20.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1923 | 20.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1924 | 21.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1925 | 21.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1926 | 21.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1927 | 22.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1928 | 22.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1929 | 23.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1930 | 22.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1931 | 22.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.8% |
| 1932 | 22.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1933 | 23.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1934 | 24.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1935 | 24.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1936 | 26.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1937 | 27.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1938 | 27.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1939 | 27.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1940 | 30.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.1% |
| 1941 | 30.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1942 | 31.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1943 | 31.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1944 | 31.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1945 | 28.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.1% |
| 1946 | 27.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.9% |
| 1947 | 29.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.5% |
| 1948 | 32.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 1949 | 34.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 1950 | 35.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1951 | 37.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1952 | 39.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1953 | 41.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1954 | 41.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1955 | 42.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1956 | 45.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 1957 | 47.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1958 | 48.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1959 | 49.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1960 | 52.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1961 | 55.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1962 | 56.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1963 | 57.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1964 | 59.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1965 | 60.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1966 | 62.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1967 | 65.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1968 | 69.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.2% |
| 1969 | 74.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1970 | 77.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1971 | 72.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.8% |
| 1972 | 68.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.0% |
| 1973 | 67.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 1974 | 65.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.0% |
| 1975 | 63.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.4% |
| 1976 | 64.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1977 | 64.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1978 | 61.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.6% |
| 1979 | 61.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1980 | 60.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 1981 | 59.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1982 | 59.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1983 | 59.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 60.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 59.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1986 | 59.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1987 | 56.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.7% |
| 1988 | 55.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.4% |
| 1989 | 55.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 53.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 1991 | 53.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 53.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 52.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 53.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 51.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 1996 | 49.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.4% |
| 1997 | 47.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 45.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.4% |
| 1999 | 43.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 42.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.3% |
| 2001 | 41.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 40.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 39.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 39.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 38.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 2006 | 38.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 2007 | 38.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 36.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.3% |
| 2009 | 35.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 36.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 34.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.0% |
| 2012 | 34.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 33.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 32.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.5% |
| 2015 | 31.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.3% |
| 2016 | 31.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 31.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 30.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2019 | 30.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 29.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.0% |
| 2021 | 29.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 29.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 28.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 3.4× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Japan's 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 5.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 5.0× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 8.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 9.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 9.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 10.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 11.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 12.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 11.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 14.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 15.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 18.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 16.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 20.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 21.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 19.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 24.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 22.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 27.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 30.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 27.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 34.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 42.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 49.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 61.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 52.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 74.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 66.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 61.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 77.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 58.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 60.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 50.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 43.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 53.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 39.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 42.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 32.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 29.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 29.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 52 Morocco 30.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 53 Niger 30.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 54 Mali 29.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 56 Malaysia 28.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 57 Libya 28.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 58 Nepal 27.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Japan
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 337.64 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 12,181 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 3,633 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 8,547 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 13.71 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 305.27 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 9,462 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,401 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 7,061 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 9.06 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Japan?
- Methane emissions in Japan was 28.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 77.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1970.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Japan rank for methane emissions?
- Japan ranks 55th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.