Japan and Iran
Japan maintains diplomatic communication with Iran amid restrictions, regional crisis and shipping risks. Dialogue does not eliminate sanctions measures or political differences.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07A diplomatic channel maintained
The ministerial conversation of 8 September 2026 confirms continuing government dialogue.
Shipping and energy security
Tokyo requested restoration of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and expressed concern about attacks on civilian vessels.
Sanctions and dialogue are distinct dimensions
In September 2025, Japan decided to reintroduce asset-freezing measures connected with UN resolutions on Iran's nuclear programme.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 87.47 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Japan to Iran | 64.62 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Iran to Japan | 22.85 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Japan to Iran | 0.01 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Export share: Iran to Japan | ||
| Investment stock: Japan in Iran | ||
| Investment stock: Iran 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 Iran
- 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: Iran 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 Iran
- 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.
| Indicator | Japan | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 4.44 trillion USD2025 · WB | 362.68 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 35,951.05 USD2025 · WB | 3,924.38 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.19 %2025 · WB | -2.83 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 1.25 %2026-09-24 · BoJ | |
| Inflation · annual average | 3.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 42.17 %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 | 8.3 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -5.7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 206.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 37.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 4.86 %2025 · WB | 0.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Population | 123,366,7342025 · WB | 92,417,6812025 · WB |
| Area | 377,969 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 1,745,150 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 BankIran: 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 BankIran: 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 BankIran: 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 Japan
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Japan: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World BankIran: 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.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionJapan: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Iran: 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.Iran: 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.Iran: 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 BankIran: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate. The annual reference may follow Iran's fiscal calendar.
- Population
- PeopleJapan: 2025 · World BankIran: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceJapan: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAOIran: 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 Iran
Iran to Japan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | Japan to Iran | Iran to Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108.1 | 70 | 38.1 |
| 2022 | 85 | 49.9 | 35.2 |
| 2023 | 95 | 64.1 | 30.9 |
| 2024 | 117.4 | 88.4 | 28.9 |
| 2025 | 87.5 | 64.6 | 22.9 |
Connections between people
Protection of nationals and consular cooperation remain concrete matters within a relationship shaped by crisis and restrictions. [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 Iran | ||
| Residents from Iran living in Japan | ||
| Study and training: Japan in Iran | ||
| Study and training: Iran in Japan | ||
| Academic stays: Japan in Iran | ||
| Academic stays: Iran in Japan | ||
| Travel: Japan to Iran | ||
| Travel: Iran 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.
A diplomatic channel maintained
The ministerial conversation of 8 September 2026 confirms continuing government dialogue. Japan raised concerns about regional escalation and the need for a diplomatic solution; Iran presented its position. [1]
Shipping and energy security
Tokyo requested restoration of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and expressed concern about attacks on civilian vessels. The discussion concerns routes used by many countries, not only Japan–Iran bilateral trade. [1]
The consular issue
The call included the situation of a Japanese national released on bail in April. Consular protection can feature on the agenda even while political disagreements and economic restrictions persist. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Japan is 4,435.2 billion USD (2025), compared with 362.7 for Iran (2025). The reference populations are 123.37 and 92.42 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Japan was 12.23 times that of Iran 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. [6] [7] [8] [9]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Sanctions and dialogue are distinct dimensions
In September 2025, Japan decided to reintroduce asset-freezing measures connected with UN resolutions on Iran's nuclear programme. Continued dialogue in 2026 does not mean withdrawal of those measures. [2]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (Japan and Iran) totalled 87.5 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 64.6 million; those in the opposite direction, 22.9 million. The difference between the two flows was 41.8 million, in favour of Japan. 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. [3]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Japan to the partner represented 0.01% 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. [3]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 108.1 million USD in 2021 and 87.5 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was -19.1 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2024, at 117.4 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. [4]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Japan to Iran, at 5.7 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Iran to Japan, at 0.1 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. [5]
Milestones and consequences
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-IRN
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Bilateral relations: JPN-IRN
Japan MOFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 392; partners 0,124,484,76,32,702,458,554,818,792,784,682,364,586,50,524,144,710,404
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.