Japan Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Japan's forest area was 68.40% in 2025, ranked 19th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Japan's forest area stood at 68.40% in 2025, a rise of +0.00% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 68.40% by 2025. Japan ranked 19th globally.
Japan’s forest area has remained remarkably stable over the 35‑year series, declining only marginally from 68.43 % of land in 1990 to 68.40 % in 2025, which places the country at rank 19 globally. The all‑time peak of 68.49 % occurred in 2010, while the trough of 68.25 % was recorded in 2000, indicating that the decade‑long fluctuation was limited to a 0.24‑percentage‑point swing. Compared with peer nations, Japan’s forest cover is slightly lower than Sweden’s 68.70 % and markedly higher than Fiji’s 64.23 %, reflecting differing land‑use pressures and conservation policies. The modest downward drift since the 2010 peak suggests that urban expansion and aging rural populations have modestly offset afforestation efforts, yet the near‑flat trajectory also signals effective forest management and replanting programmes. Continued emphasis on sustainable timber harvesting and climate‑resilient species could stabilize or modestly increase forest extent in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 68.39% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 68.40% | - | - |
| 2025 | 68.40% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2023 | 68.40% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2022 | 68.41% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2021 | 68.41% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2020 | 68.41% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2019 | 68.41% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2018 | 68.41% | +0.00% | #19 |
| 2017 | 68.41% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2016 | 68.42% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2015 | 68.43% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2014 | 68.45% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2013 | 68.46% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2012 | 68.47% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2011 | 68.48% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2010 | 68.49% | +0.02% | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Japan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2004. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan's forest area was 68.40% in 2025. Ranked 19th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from the previous year.
Japan's forest area peaked at 68.49% in 2010.
The lowest forest area in Japan was 68.25% in 2000.
Japan ranks 19th globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Japan's forest area is projected to reach 68.40% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Japan in 2025 was 68.40%. This ranks 19th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_japan_forest-area,
title = {Japan Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/japan/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}