Japan and North Korea
Japan and North Korea maintain a relationship marked by security issues and sanctions. Japanese coordination with the United States and South Korea forms part of diplomatic follow-up.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07History and institutional framework
The trilateral consultations documented in 2026 and statements on sanctions accountability show regional response channels.
Areas of the relationship
Japanese coordination with the United States and South Korea forms part of diplomatic follow-up.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | ||
| Goods: Japan to North Korea | ||
| Goods: North Korea to Japan | ||
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Japan to North Korea | ||
| Export share: North Korea to Japan | ||
| Investment stock: Japan in North Korea | ||
| Investment stock: North Korea in Japan |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Japan | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 4.44 trillion USD2025 · WB | |
| GDP per capita | 35,951.05 USD2025 · WB | |
| GDP growth | 1.19 %2025 · WB | |
| Policy interest rate | 1.25 %2026-09-24 · BoJ | |
| Inflation · annual average | 3.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 1.9 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · Statistics JP | |
| Unemployment | 2.45 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 3.55 %ILO est.2025 · World Bank |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 206.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 4.86 %2025 · WB | |
| Population | 123,366,7342025 · WB | 26,571,0362025 · World Bank |
| Area | 377,969 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 120,540 km²2023 · World Bank |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDJapan: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personJapan: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Japan: 2025 · World Bank
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Japan: 2026-09-24 · Approximate target for the uncollateralised overnight rate · Bank of Japan
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Japan: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedJapan: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Statistics Bureau of Japan · Published: 2026-09-18 · National headline CPI, 2025 base; includes fresh food and energy. The measure excluding fresh food (1.7%) and the preliminary Tokyo release are not used.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionJapan: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.North Korea: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPJapan: 2025 · World Bank
- Population
- PeopleJapan: 2025 · World BankNorth Korea: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceJapan: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAONorth Korea: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Japan to North Korea
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
North Korea to Japan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Connections between people
Contacts between people and relations between governments are distinct dimensions. Published counts appear in the table with their date and definition; a resident community is not inferred from trade or diplomatic representation. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Japan living in North Korea | ||
| Residents from North Korea living in Japan | ||
| Study and training: Japan in North Korea | ||
| Study and training: North Korea in Japan | ||
| Academic stays: Japan in North Korea | ||
| Academic stays: North Korea in Japan | ||
| Travel: Japan to North Korea | ||
| Travel: North Korea to Japan |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
History and institutional framework
The trilateral consultations documented in 2026 and statements on sanctions accountability show regional response channels. They are not Japan–North Korea bilateral meetings or a normalisation agreement. [1] [3] [2]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Areas of the relationship
Japanese coordination with the United States and South Korea forms part of diplomatic follow-up. [1] [3] [2]
Abductions and unresolved human issues
The abductions of Japanese citizens in the seventies and eighties are a specific issue in the relationship. Japan officially identifies seventeen victims. North Korea admitted the abductions in September 2002, and five victims returned to Japan in October. The Japanese government considers explanations about the remaining cases insufficient and links their resolution to diplomatic normalisation. The issue affects families and citizens' security; it cannot be reduced to trade or a general assessment of affinity between peoples. [2]
Security and negotiation history
Japan's framework combines the abduction issue, nuclear and missile programmes, and shared history. The May 2014 Stockholm consultations provided for investigations into Japanese nationals and a partial adjustment of measures when the investigative committee began operating. These are earlier negotiations, not a current normalisation agreement. Contemporary coordination with the United States and South Korea has a trilateral scale distinct from those bilateral contacts. Historical consultation records do not establish that unresolved issues have been settled. [3]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — JPN-PRK
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Abductions of Japanese citizens
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Historical framework and unresolved issues between Japan and North Korea
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07