Japan · Asia
How many people die in Japan every day?
In Japan, about 4,274 people die every day, roughly one death every 20 seconds. That is about 1,560,000 deaths a year, 2.5% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 7th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 84.8 years and the leading cause of death is cancer. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
4,274
Deaths per year
1,560,000
Life expectancy
84.8 years
Population
123,294,513
Death rate
12.7 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cancer
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Japan
84.8
World avg
72.8
+12.0 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Japan
12.7
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Japan by time period
| Per hour | 178 |
| Per day | 4,274 |
| Per week | 29,918 |
| Per month | 130,000 |
| Per year | 1,560,000 |
What people die of in Japan
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Japan in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.6% of all deaths, about 589 a day. It was followed by stroke and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 16-fold since 2000, from about 4,731 to 74,516 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 214,858 | 589 | 13.6% | +83% |
| 2 | Stroke | 137,602 | 377 | 8.7% | -2% |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 101,248 | 277 | 6.4% | +7% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 84,253 | 231 | 5.3% | +52% |
| 5 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 74,516 | 204 | 4.7% | +1475% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 62,654 | 172 | 4% | +64% |
| 7 | Kidney diseases | 58,348 | 160 | 3.7% | +112% |
| 8 | COPD | 53,947 | 148 | 3.4% | +102% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 52,322 | 143 | 3.3% | n/a |
| 10 | Stomach cancer | 45,382 | 124 | 2.9% | -15% |
Deaths in Japan since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,576,033 people died in Japan in 2023, 64% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 961,707 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,197,049 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,381,243 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,576,033 deaths |
Life expectancy in Japan since 1950
A baby born in Japan in 1950 could expect to live about 59.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 84.7, a gain of 25.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 59.3 years |
| 1980 | 76.1 years |
| 2000 | 81.2 years |
| 2010 | 82.9 years |
| 2019 | 84.4 years |
| 2023 | 84.7 years |
Japan compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Japan ranks 1st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 4,274 | 84.8 | Cancer |
| Philippines | 1,753 | 69.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Vietnam | 1,589 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Iran | 1,151 | 73.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bangladesh | 2,384 | 72.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Turkey | 1,315 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Japan every day?
In Japan, about 4,274 people die every day, or roughly one death every 20 seconds. That adds up to about 1,560,000 deaths a year, 2.5% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Japan?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Japan. Cancer tends to lead in countries where people live long enough for it to overtake heart disease. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 13.6% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Japan?
Life expectancy at birth in Japan is 84.8 years, 12.0 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 2nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Japan high?
Japan records about 12.7 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.