China is the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP ($17.9 trillion vs Japan's $4.2 trillion) with 3.6x larger population, while Japan leads in per capita GDP ($39,285 vs $12,720), technological innovation, and quality of life metrics. China dominates manufacturing and export volume; Japan excels in precision engineering, robotics, and consumer electronics.
Japan vs China — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Insular island nation with the world's third-largest economy and leading quality of life metrics.
Upper-middle-income country with world's 2nd-largest economy and dominant manufacturing base.
GDP (Nominal). GDP Per Capita. Population. Human Development Index (HDI). Life Expectancy. Patent Filings (Annual). Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
China wins for economic scale, manufacturing dominance, and global trade influence with a GDP 4.3x larger and 1.3 billion more people. Japan wins for quality of life, technological precision, innovation in robotics/semiconductors, and per capita prosperity. Choose China for understanding the world's largest manufacturing economy and emerging superpower; choose Japan for studying advanced technology adoption, demographic challenges, and high-income development models.
Japan: $4.2 Trillion | China: $17.7 Trillion
Japan: 125 million | China: 1.42 billion
Japan: €50.9 billion | China: €296.5 billion
Japan: $4.2 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
Japan: 125 million | China: 1,425 million
Japan: 0.920 (Very High) | China: 0.796 (Very High)
Japan: $28 billion | China: $163 billion
OLED Display Global Market Share (Leading Company)
Japan: 515 robots per 10k workers | China: N/A
Japan: 289 thousand | China: 1.57 million
Japan: $1.3 trillion | China: $3.2 trillion
Japan: N/A | China: 35% of global output
Japan: N/A | China: Limited by export controls
Japan: N/A | China: $400-800 billion potential loss
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
Japan: N/A | China: -0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)
Japan: N/A | China: One-party communist state
Japan: N/A | China: 40% (global EV sales)
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita
Japan: N/A | China: 12% (design & manufacturing)
Japan: N/A | China: World's factory (services rising)
Japan: N/A | China: Largest — ~29% of global value-added
Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)
Japan vs China — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Japan vs China. Contains 146 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Japan vs China — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Japan vs China.
Why does Japan have higher per capita GDP despite being smaller?
Japan's wealth is more concentrated in a smaller, highly educated, aging population with advanced technology and services sectors. China's wealth is spread across 1.4 billion people with lower average incomes outside major cities and coastal zones.
Which country has a stronger economy overall?
China has a larger total economy ($17.9T vs $4.2T), but Japan has a stronger per-person economy ($39,285 per capita vs $12,720). China leads in manufacturing volume and global trade; Japan leads in wealth concentration and living standards.
Which country is better for manufacturing and outsourcing?
China remains the world's factory (28% of global manufacturing), offering lowest costs and largest capacity. Japan excels in precision manufacturing, robotics, semiconductors, and quality-critical products, commanding premium prices.
What are the biggest demographic differences?
China has 1.417 billion people (85% of working age), facing rapid aging. Japan has 125 million people with 29% over 65, experiencing population decline, creating labor shortages but also lower environmental pressure per capita.
Which country leads in technology and innovation?
China leads by volume (1.57M patents/year vs 281K), dominating AI, EVs, and 5G. Japan leads by quality and precision (robotics, optics, semiconductors), holding 52% of global industrial robots and dominating niche high-value markets.
GDP (Nominal): Japan has $4.2 trillion, while China has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Per Capita: Japan has $39,285, while China has $12,720.
Population: Japan has 125 million, while China has 1.417 billion.
Human Development Index (HDI): Japan has 0.920 (Very High), while China has 0.796 (High).
Life Expectancy: Japan has 84.6 years, while China has 78.2 years.
Patent Filings (Annual): Japan has 281,113, while China has 1,574,822.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
Manufacturing Output (% of GDP): Japan has 20%, while China has 28%.