Japan and Greece
Japan and Greece connect diplomacy, heritage and tourism. Cultural contacts accompany a formal relationship begun in the late nineteenth century.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07History and institutional framework
The June 1899 friendship, trade and navigation treaty established relations.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, goods trade between Japan and Greece totalled 1,302.2 million current USD.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 1,302.2 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Japan to Greece | 319.77 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Greece to Japan | 982.44 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Japan to Greece | 0.04 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Export share: Greece to Japan | ||
| Investment stock: Japan in Greece | ||
| Investment stock: Greece 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.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN · Goods; full year; JPN reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Japan to Greece
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN · Goods; full year; JPN reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Greece to Japan
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN · Goods; full year; JPN reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Export share: Japan to Greece
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN · Goods share: JPN exports to the partner / the same reporter's exports to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Japan | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 4.44 trillion USD2025 · WB | 280.64 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 35,951.05 USD2025 · WB | 26,948.01 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.19 %2025 · WB | 2.07 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 1.25 %2026-09-24 · BoJ | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE |
| Inflation · annual average | 3.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 2.48 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 1.9 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · Statistics JP | 3.8 %Headline CPI · 2026-08 · year-on-year · ELSTAT |
| Unemployment | 2.45 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 8.54 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 1.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 206.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 145.7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 4.86 %2025 · WB | -7.11 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 123,366,7342025 · WB | 10,413,9622025 · WB |
| Area | 377,969 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 131,960 km²2023 · WB |
| 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 BankGreece: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personJapan: 2025 · World BankGreece: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Japan: 2025 · World BankGreece: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Japan: 2026-09-24 · Approximate target for the uncollateralised overnight rate · Bank of JapanGreece: 2026-09-16 · ECB: deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank · Greece shares the ECB's monetary policy. Same instrument and date as Spain.
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Japan: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World BankGreece: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- 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.Greece: 2026-08 · National headline CPI, change from the same month of the previous year · ELSTAT · Published: 2026-09-09 · Official monthly data. Not mixed with the annual average. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionJapan: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Greece: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Greece: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Greece: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPJapan: 2025 · World BankGreece: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Population
- PeopleJapan: 2025 · World BankGreece: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query. Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as the previous 6 months.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceJapan: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAOGreece: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- 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 Greece
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and components | 154.5 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 94.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 9.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Meat and edible offal | 0.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Metal ores | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
Greece to Japan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 35.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 7.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 3.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 1.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 1.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | Japan to Greece | Greece to Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 864.1 | 262.6 | 601.5 |
| 2022 | 1,101.1 | 344.2 | 757 |
| 2023 | 1,184.5 | 412.1 | 772.4 |
| 2024 | 929.3 | 336.5 | 592.7 |
| 2025 | 1,302.2 | 319.8 | 982.4 |
Connections between people
The 2024 culture and tourism year commemorated the 125th anniversary and rests on a history of cultural and air agreements. [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 GreeceResident nationals; register cited by Japan's MOFA | 627 | 2025-11 · Japan MOFA |
| Residents from Greece living in JapanResident nationals; register cited by Japan's MOFA | 318 | 2025-06 · Japan MOFA |
| Study and training: Japan in Greece | ||
| Study and training: Greece in Japan | ||
| Academic stays: Japan in Greece | ||
| Academic stays: Greece in Japan | ||
| Travel: Japan to Greece | ||
| Travel: Greece 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.
- Residents from Japan living in Greece
- Count published in the official Japanese profile. It does not include everyone with ancestry from, or everyone born in, the other country. The reference date is retained; it is not extrapolated to 2026. 2025-11 · Japan MOFA
- Residents from Greece living in Japan
- Count published in the official Japanese profile. It does not include everyone with ancestry from, or everyone born in, the other country. The reference date is retained; it is not extrapolated to 2026. 2025-06 · Japan MOFA
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 June 1899 friendship, trade and navigation treaty established relations. The 2024 culture and tourism year commemorated the 125th anniversary and rests on a history of cultural and air agreements. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Japan is 4,435.2 billion USD (2025), compared with 280.6 for Greece (2025). The reference populations are 123.37 and 10.41 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Japan was 15.8 times that of Greece in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Areas of the relationship
Cultural contacts accompany a formal relationship begun in the late nineteenth century. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (Japan and Greece) totalled 1,302.2 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 319.8 million; those in the opposite direction, 982.4 million. The difference between the two flows was 662.7 million, in favour of Greece. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Japan to the partner represented 0.04% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 864.1 million USD in 2021 and 1,302.2 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was +50.7 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2025, at 1,302.2 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, vehicles and components stands out in shipments from Japan to Greece, at 154.5 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Greece to Japan, at 35.8 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Documented mobility and communities
Residents from Japan in Greece: 627 (2025-11). Resident nationals; register cited by Japan's MOFA. Count published in the official Japanese profile. It does not include everyone with ancestry from, or everyone born in, the other country. The reference date is retained; it is not extrapolated to 2026. [1]
Residents from Greece in Japan: 318 (2025-06). Resident nationals; register cited by Japan's MOFA. Count published in the official Japanese profile. It does not include everyone with ancestry from, or everyone born in, the other country. The reference date is retained; it is not extrapolated to 2026. [1]
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-GRC
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 392; partners 0,400,504,376,508,398,512,860,788,24,372,348,585,414,96,583,591,288,246,686,192,64,368,233,716,12,496,242,31,776,300,204,275,795,566,768,762,262,800,858,214,388,320,51,218,558,112,604,480,222,324,266,152,418,174,728,70,690,748,170,340,584,408,780,8,854,454,380,191,466,40
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Selected HS2 chapters; reporter 392; annual 2025; same partner/flow/coverage as total
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · Selected HS2 chapters; reporter 392; annual 2025; same partner/flow/coverage as total.