Russia and Japan
The dispute over the southern Kuril Islands, called the Northern Territories by Japan, prevents a peace treaty. The war in Ukraine added restrictions and diplomatic deterioration. Energy, fishing and human connections have frameworks distinct from the territorial dispute.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07A dispute inherited from the post-war period
Japan claims Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri and Etorofu; Russia administers these islands.
Exchanges subject to political decisions
The Japanese profile describes previous visa easing and cultural activities.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 7,986.7 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Russia to Japan | 5,529.57 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Goods: Japan to Russia | 2,457.13 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Russia to Japan | ||
| Export share: Japan to Russia | 0.33 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / JPN |
| Investment stock: Russia in Japan | ||
| Investment stock: Japan in Russia |
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: Russia 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.
- Goods: Japan to Russia
- 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 Russia
- 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 | Russia | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 trillion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 4.44 trillion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 17,972.12 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 35,951.05 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1 %2025 · WB | 1.19 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 14 %2026-09-11 · CBR | 1.25 %2026-09-24 · BoJ |
| Inflation · annual average | 8.72 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 3.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 6.33 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · CBR | 1.9 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · Statistics JP |
| Unemployment | 2.13 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 2.45 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -1.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 17.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 206.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 1.68 %2025 · WB | 4.86 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 143,997,000IMF est.2025 · IMF | 123,366,7342025 · WB |
| Area | 17,125,190 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 377,969 km²2023 · BM / FAO |
| 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.
For Russia, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
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 USDRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Japan: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Japan: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Russia: 2025 · World BankJapan: 2025 · World Bank
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Russia: 2026-09-11 · Bank of Russia policy rate · Bank of RussiaJapan: 2026-09-24 · Approximate target for the uncollateralised overnight rate · Bank of Japan
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Russia: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankJapan: 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 statedRussia: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Bank of Russia · Published: 2026-09-16 · Year-on-year CPI. The commentary's 6.9% is annualised seasonally adjusted monthly growth and is not used here.Japan: 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 institutionRussia: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Japan: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Japan: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPRussia: 2025 · World BankJapan: 2025 · World Bank
- Population
- PeopleRussia: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with a denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Japan: 2025 · World Bank
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceRussia: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOJapan: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAO
- 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.
Russia to Japan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 3,545.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 7.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
Japan to Russia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Land vehicles and components | 1,544.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 75.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 71.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1.5 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 1 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [3]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Russia living in Japan | ||
| Residents from Japan living in Russia | ||
| Study and training: Russia in Japan | ||
| Study and training: Japan in Russia | ||
| Academic stays: Russia in Japan | ||
| Academic stays: Japan in Russia | ||
| Travel: Russia to Japan | ||
| Travel: Japan to Russia |
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 dispute inherited from the post-war period
Japan claims Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri and Etorofu; Russia administers these islands. The 1956 Soviet–Japanese declaration ended the state of war and restored relations without resolving the entire territorial dispute. The Japanese source sets out its position, identified as such. The dispute explains why diplomatic normalisation and a peace treaty are not equivalent. [1]
Exchanges subject to political decisions
The Japanese profile describes previous visa easing and cultural activities. It also notes that intergovernmental cultural and people-to-people cooperation was suspended in principle after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. That decision is not a census of all private travel. Visits to former homes, academic mobility and business travel are governed by different instruments. [2]
Regional security beyond the islands
Japan's military position and its cooperation with the United States affect the relationship with Russia. In September 2026, AP reported a Russian protest concerning US Typhon systems in Kyushu. The complaint is attributed to Moscow; it does not independently establish the systems' operational reach. The territorial dispute and the deployment are different issues within the security agenda. [3]
The scale of the two economies
Russia recorded nominal GDP of 2,587.9 billion USD in 2025, compared with 4,435.2 in 2025 for Japan. The reference populations were 144 million (2025) and 123.37 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Russia's nominal GDP was 0.58 times Japan's. These figures contextualise market size; they do not by themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or population extrapolations retain their labels in the table. No ratio is calculated when periods do not match. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
September 2026 protests
The dated reporting documents new deployment-related tensions alongside persistent territorial disagreements. The 2025 customs trade provides another dimension of the relationship, not a subsequent assessment of that protest. Each side's territorial names are not used as evidence of settled sovereignty. The profile retains effective control, claims and diplomatic background as distinct categories. [3] [1]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between Russia and Japan totalled 7,986.7 million USD. Shipments from Russia to Japan were 5,529.6 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 2,457.1 million USD. Japan's shipments to the partner represented 0.33% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs reporting source is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or affiliates' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [4]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Northern Territories issue
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Bilateral relationship with Russia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Protest concerning the US deployment in Japan
Associated Press · News reporting or analysis · Document: 2026-09-18 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 392; partners 0,643,704,360,608,764
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / JPN · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / JPN
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 392; partners 643,704,360,608,764; X/M; annual goods.