Japan vs South Korea
type: Article
description: Japan has the world's third-largest economy ($4.2 trillion GDP) with advanced manufacturing and robotics, while South Korea leads in semiconductor production and consumer electronics with a smaller but highly specialized economy ($1.4 trillion GDP). Both are technological powerhouses but excel in different sectors.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-09T12:04:39.306Z
date created: 2026-07-09T12:04:39.306Z
date modified: 2026-07-09T12:04:39.350Z
content reference time: 2026-07-09T12:04:39.350Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Japan
about: South Korea
abstract: Japan has the world's third-largest economy ($4.2 trillion GDP) with advanced manufacturing and robotics, while South Korea leads in semiconductor production and consumer electronics with a smaller but highly specialized economy ($1.4 trillion GDP). Both are technological powerhouses but excel in different sectors.
text: GDP (Nominal). Primary Export Industry. Population. Global Semiconductor Market Share. Life Expectancy. Internet Speed (Average). Unemployment Rate (2024)
conclusion text: Choose Japan if you value economic scale, manufacturing excellence, and robust social stability with the world's longest life expectancy. Choose South Korea if you prioritize cutting-edge semiconductor technology, consumer electronics innovation, and digital infrastructure leadership. Both are global economic leaders with distinct competitive advantages rather than one being objectively superior.
additional property: GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4.2 Trillion | South Korea: $1.7 Trillion
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Total GDP (Nominal 2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4.2 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Total Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 125 million | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Defence Expenditure 2024
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: €50.9 billion | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Education Spending Per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: €1,047 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Government Health Expenditure
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $383,823M | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 1.14% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Global EV Production Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: ~15% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Cost of Living Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 47.5 | South Korea: 61.6
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Non-Tourist Visa Pathways
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 6 pathways | South Korea: 7 pathways
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: GDP Purchasing Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: Rank 14 | South Korea: Rank 14
additional property: Military Spending
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: ~$45 billion | South Korea: $46 billion
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Land Military Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: Lower ranking | South Korea: Higher ranking (7th of 145)
additional property: Population Over 65 Years
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 28.8% | South Korea: 17.5%
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Tech Sector Salary Premium
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: Baseline (0%) | South Korea: 10-15% premium
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Nominal GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4.23 trillion | South Korea: $1.42 trillion
  value reference: Japan
additional property: GDP per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $33,815 | South Korea: $24,200
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 125.1 million | South Korea: 51.8 million
additional property: Human Development Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 0.920 (Very High) | South Korea: 0.929
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Patent Filings Per Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 281,113 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 264% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Manufacturing as % of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 19.5% | South Korea: 28%
additional property: Life Expectancy
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 84.6 years | South Korea: 82.8 years
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Average Internet Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 261 Mbps | South Korea: 330 Mbps
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Total GDP (nominal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Annual GDP Growth Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 2.5% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Global Manufacturing Output Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 7% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $28 billion | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Global GDP Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 3rd | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Population Growth Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: -0.5% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Global Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 9% | South Korea: 21%
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Annual Work Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 1,644 hours | South Korea: 2,084 hours
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Automobile Export Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 9.3 million vehicles | South Korea: 3.8 million vehicles
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Average Broadband Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 25.6 Mbps | South Korea: 33.8 Mbps
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: 5G Network Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 96.3% | South Korea: 94.1%
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Annual Vehicle Production
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 11.4 million | South Korea: 3.7 million
  value reference: Japan
additional property: OLED Display Global Market Share (Leading Company)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: Samsung 49% | South Korea: Sony 8%
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Industrial Robot Density
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 515 robots per 10k workers | South Korea: 385 per 10,000
  value reference: Japan
additional property: Per Capita GDP (PPP)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $47,825 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Patent Applications Filed (2023)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 286 thousand | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Manufacturing Share of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 20.1% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Annual Patent Filings
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 289 thousand | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Aging Population (65+)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 29.1% | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Gross Domestic Product (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Life Expectancy at Birth
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 84.5 years | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Homicide Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 0.3 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Military Expenditure (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $47 billion | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Healthcare Cost per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: $4,849 | South Korea: N/A
additional property: Public Transit Ridership
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Japan: 9.8 billion | South Korea: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/japan
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/japan
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/south-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/south-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/japan-vs-south-korea)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/japan-vs-south-korea)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/south-korea-vs-japan
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/north-korea-vs-south-korea
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/china-vs-japan-economy-comparison-2026))
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/japan-vs-china-economic-comparison-2026
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/japan-vs-china
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/china-vs-japan-gdp
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/china-vs-japan
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/japan-vs-united-states
teaches: How to choose between Japan and South Korea
genre: Countries

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Japan vs South Korea — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Japan
type: Country
language: en-US
description: World's third-largest economy with advanced automotive, robotics, and precision manufacturing sectors.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Japan
subject of: Japan vs South Korea
image: ImageObject
  caption: Japan

South Korea
type: Country
alternate name: SK
language: en-US
description: Global semiconductor and electronics powerhouse with world-leading technology companies and digital infrastructure.
image: ImageObject
  caption: South Korea
subject of: Japan vs South Korea
image: ImageObject
  caption: South Korea

Japan vs South Korea — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Japan vs South Korea. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Total GDP (Nominal 2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Scale
variable measured: Total Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Defence Expenditure 2024
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Military Strength
variable measured: Education Spending Per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Human Capital Investment
variable measured: Government Health Expenditure
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Health Spending
variable measured: Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Energy Security Risk
variable measured: Global EV Production Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology Production
variable measured: Cost of Living Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost of Living
variable measured: Non-Tourist Visa Pathways
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Immigration
variable measured: GDP Purchasing Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Military Spending
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Defense
variable measured: Land Military Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Military
variable measured: Population Over 65 Years
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Tech Sector Salary Premium
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Employment
variable measured: Nominal GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: GDP per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Power
variable measured: Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Human Development Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality of Life
variable measured: Patent Filings Per Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Innovation
variable measured: Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fiscal Health
variable measured: Manufacturing as % of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Structure
variable measured: Life Expectancy
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Health & Development
variable measured: Average Internet Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Total GDP (nominal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Size
variable measured: Annual GDP Growth Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Growth
variable measured: Global Manufacturing Output Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industrial Capacity
variable measured: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Investment Attractiveness
variable measured: Global GDP Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Scale
variable measured: Population Growth Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Global Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Annual Work Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Labor
variable measured: Automobile Export Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing
variable measured: Average Broadband Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Infrastructure
variable measured: 5G Network Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Telecommunications
variable measured: Annual Vehicle Production
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing
variable measured: OLED Display Global Market Share (Leading Company)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Industrial Robot Density
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing Automation
variable measured: Per Capita GDP (PPP)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Living Standards
variable measured: Patent Applications Filed (2023)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Innovation
variable measured: Manufacturing Share of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Structure
variable measured: Annual Patent Filings
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Innovation Output
variable measured: Aging Population (65+)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Gross Domestic Product (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Life Expectancy at Birth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Healthcare
variable measured: Homicide Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Safety
variable measured: Military Expenditure (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Military
variable measured: Healthcare Cost per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Health
variable measured: Public Transit Ridership
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Infrastructure
variable measured: Annual International Visitor Arrivals
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Tourism
variable measured: GDP (Nominal, 2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Unemployment Rate (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Annual Exports (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Trade
variable measured: Median Age
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Automotive Production (annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing
variable measured: Real GDP Growth Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Growth
variable measured: Foreign Exchange Reserves
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Security
variable measured: Manufacturing Output
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry
variable measured: Gross Domestic Product (nominal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Literacy Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Health & Development
variable measured: Healthcare Expenditure per Capita
variable measured: Unemployment Rate
variable measured: Median Household Income
variable measured: R&D Spending
variable measured: Global Manufacturing Share
variable measured: EV Production (2024)
variable measured: Nominal GDP 2026
variable measured: GDP Per Capita 2026
variable measured: Real GDP Growth Rate (2025)
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/japan-vs-south-korea)

Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Japan vs South Korea.
has defined term: Economy
has defined term: Economic Scale
has defined term: Demographics
has defined term: Military Strength
has defined term: Human Capital Investment
has defined term: Health Spending
has defined term: Energy Security Risk
has defined term: Technology Production
has defined term: Cost of Living
has defined term: Immigration
has defined term: Defense
has defined term: Military
has defined term: Employment
has defined term: Economic Power
has defined term: Quality of Life
has defined term: Innovation
has defined term: Fiscal Health
has defined term: Economic Structure
has defined term: Health & Development
has defined term: Technology
has defined term: Economic Size
has defined term: Economic Growth
has defined term: Industrial Capacity
has defined term: Investment Attractiveness
has defined term: Labor
has defined term: Manufacturing
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Telecommunications
has defined term: Manufacturing Automation
has defined term: Living Standards
has defined term: Innovation Output
has defined term: Healthcare
has defined term: Safety
has defined term: Health
has defined term: Tourism
has defined term: Trade
has defined term: Growth
has defined term: Financial Security
has defined term: Industry
has defined term: Labor Market
has defined term: Innovation Investment
has defined term: Industrial Power
has defined term: Economic Output
has defined term: Wealth Distribution
has defined term: Growth Metrics
has defined term: Investment
has defined term: Price Stability
has defined term: Capital Flows
has defined term: Geography
has defined term: Social Development
has defined term: Trade Dependency
has defined term: Governance & Freedom
has defined term: Trade Power
has defined term: Technology Sector

Economy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economy
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-scale
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Demographics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: demographics
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Military Strength
type: DefinedTerm
term code: military-strength
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Human Capital Investment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: human-capital-investment
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Health Spending
type: DefinedTerm
term code: health-spending
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Energy Security Risk
type: DefinedTerm
term code: energy-security-risk
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology Production
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-production
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost of Living
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost-of-living
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Immigration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: immigration
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Defense
type: DefinedTerm
term code: defense
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Military
type: DefinedTerm
term code: military
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Employment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: employment
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Power
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-power
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality of Life
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-of-life
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Fiscal Health
type: DefinedTerm
term code: fiscal-health
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Structure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-structure
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Health & Development
type: DefinedTerm
term code: health-&-development
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Size
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-size
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-growth
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industrial Capacity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industrial-capacity
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Investment Attractiveness
type: DefinedTerm
term code: investment-attractiveness
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Labor
type: DefinedTerm
term code: labor
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Manufacturing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: manufacturing
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Telecommunications
type: DefinedTerm
term code: telecommunications
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Manufacturing Automation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: manufacturing-automation
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Living Standards
type: DefinedTerm
term code: living-standards
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation Output
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation-output
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Healthcare
type: DefinedTerm
term code: healthcare
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Safety
type: DefinedTerm
term code: safety
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Health
type: DefinedTerm
term code: health
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Tourism
type: DefinedTerm
term code: tourism
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trade
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trade
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial-security
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Labor Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: labor-market
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation Investment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation-investment
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industrial Power
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industrial-power
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Output
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-output
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Wealth Distribution
type: DefinedTerm
term code: wealth-distribution
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth Metrics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth-metrics
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Investment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: investment
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Price Stability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: price-stability
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capital Flows
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capital-flows
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Geography
type: DefinedTerm
term code: geography
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Social Development
type: DefinedTerm
term code: social-development
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trade Dependency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trade-dependency
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Governance & Freedom
type: DefinedTerm
term code: governance-&-freedom
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trade Power
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trade-power
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology Sector
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-sector
in defined term set: Japan vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-09T12:04:39.350Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: japan-vs-south-korea)
main entity: Which country has a stronger economy?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Japan has a significantly larger overall economy at $4.23 trillion GDP versus South Korea's $1.42 trillion, making Japan the world's third-largest economy. However, South Korea's economy is more specialized and growth-focused, with semiconductor exports representing 18% of GDP compared to Japan's more diversified base across automotive, machinery, and chemicals.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which country is better for technology and innovation?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Both lead different tech sectors. South Korea dominates semiconductors (21% global market share) and consumer electronics (Samsung, LG), with superior internet infrastructure at 330 Mbps. Japan excels in robotics, automotive technology, and precision manufacturing, hosting 672,000+ industrial robots. For semiconductors, South Korea leads; for manufacturing innovation, Japan leads.
    language: en-US
main entity: Where is the quality of life better?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Japan ranks higher in life expectancy (84.6 vs 82.8 years) and works fewer hours annually (1,644 vs 2,084 hours per OECD data). However, South Korea excels in digital infrastructure and cashless payments. Japan's main challenge is an aging population; South Korea's is intense work culture and housing costs. Quality of life depends on personal priorities.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which country is better for manufacturing investment?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Japan is superior for diversified manufacturing with established automotive supply chains and robotics expertise. South Korea excels specifically for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Choose Japan for general manufacturing partnerships; choose South Korea for high-tech component production and cutting-edge fabrication.
    language: en-US
main entity: How do the populations compare demographically?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Japan has 125.1 million people but faces significant aging (29% over 65 years old) with a declining birth rate of 7.3 per 1,000 people. South Korea has 51.8 million people with a lower median age but also declining fertility rates (0.72 children per woman in 2024), the lowest among OECD nations. Both face long-term workforce challenges.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Japan and South Korea
type: HowTo
description: Japan has the world's third-largest economy ($4.2 trillion GDP) with advanced manufacturing and robotics, while South Korea leads in semiconductor production and consumer electronics with a smaller but highly specialized economy ($1.4 trillion GDP). Both are technological powerhouses but excel in different sectors.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: GDP (Nominal)
step: Consider: Primary Export Industry
step: Consider: Population
step: Consider: Global Semiconductor Market Share
step: Consider: Life Expectancy
step: Consider: Internet Speed (Average)
step: Consider: Unemployment Rate (2024)
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Japan if you value economic scale, manufacturing excellence, and robust social stability with the world's longest life expectancy. Choose South Korea if you prioritize cutting-edge semiconductor technology, consumer electronics innovation, and digital infrastructure leadership. Both are global economic leaders with distinct competitive advantages rather than one being objectively superior.

Consider: GDP (Nominal)
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: GDP (Nominal): Japan has $4.23 trillion, while South Korea has $1.42 trillion.

Consider: Primary Export Industry
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Primary Export Industry: Japan has Automotive & Machinery, while South Korea has Semiconductors & Electronics.

Consider: Population
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Population: Japan has 125.1 million, while South Korea has 51.8 million.

Consider: Global Semiconductor Market Share
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Global Semiconductor Market Share: Japan has 9%, while South Korea has 21%.

Consider: Life Expectancy
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Life Expectancy: Japan has 84.6 years, while South Korea has 82.8 years.

Consider: Internet Speed (Average)
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Internet Speed (Average): Japan has 261 Mbps, while South Korea has 330 Mbps.

Consider: Unemployment Rate (2024)
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Unemployment Rate (2024): Japan has 2.5%, while South Korea has 3.1%.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Japan vs South Korea
review body: Japan has the world's third-largest economy ($4.2 trillion GDP) with advanced manufacturing and robotics, while South Korea leads in semiconductor production and consumer electronics with a smaller but highly specialized economy ($1.4 trillion GDP). Both are technological powerhouses but excel in different sectors.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Japan vs South Korea

Annual International Visitor Arrivals
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 17.9 million | South Korea: N/A

GDP (Nominal, 2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A

Unemployment Rate (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 2.5% | South Korea: 3.1%
value reference: Japan

Annual Exports (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $750 billion | South Korea: N/A

Median Age
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 49.4 years | South Korea: 43.8 years
value reference: South Korea

Automotive Production (annual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 9.2 million | South Korea: N/A

Real GDP Growth Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 1.2% | South Korea: N/A

Foreign Exchange Reserves
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $1.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A

Manufacturing Output
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 19% | South Korea: N/A

Gross Domestic Product (nominal)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: $1.4 trillion
value reference: Japan

Literacy Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 99.8% | South Korea: N/A

Healthcare Expenditure per Capita
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $4,792 | South Korea: N/A

Unemployment Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 2.5% | South Korea: N/A

Median Household Income
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $45,000 | South Korea: N/A

R&D Spending
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 3.6% | South Korea: N/A

Global Manufacturing Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 3-4% | South Korea: N/A

EV Production (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 9% | South Korea: N/A

Nominal GDP 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A

GDP Per Capita 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $32,500 | South Korea: N/A

Real GDP Growth Rate (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 1.3% | South Korea: N/A

Unemployment Rate (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 2.5% | South Korea: N/A

Global Innovation Index Ranking (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 2nd | South Korea: N/A

Manufacturing Output (% of Global)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 7.5% | South Korea: N/A

Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $47 billion | South Korea: N/A

Total GDP (Nominal, 2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $4.2 trillion | South Korea: N/A

Inflation Rate (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 1.8% | South Korea: N/A

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2023-2026 avg)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 1.8% | South Korea: N/A

Merchandise Exports 2025
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $860 billion | South Korea: N/A

Patent Applications Filed (annual avg)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 285 thousand | South Korea: N/A

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $42 billion | South Korea: N/A

Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 264% | South Korea: N/A

Life Expectancy 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 84.6 years | South Korea: N/A

GDP Per Capita (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: $33,815 | South Korea: N/A

Land Area
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 377,975 km² | South Korea: N/A

Human Development Index (2023)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 0.920 (Very High) | South Korea: N/A

Manufacturing Output (Global Share)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 8.5% | South Korea: N/A

Industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 803 robots | South Korea: N/A

Patent filings annually
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 286k filings | South Korea: N/A

Manufacturing share of global output
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 7.8% | South Korea: N/A

High-speed rail network length
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 3,000 km | South Korea: N/A

Public Debt to GDP Ratio
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 264% | South Korea: N/A

Exports as % of GDP
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: 18.2% | South Korea: N/A

Total GDP
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: $1.67 trillion

Internet Freedom Index
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: 84/100

Press Freedom Index Ranking
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: 33rd

Global Trade Rank
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: #9 globally

Annual Tech Sector Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: $180 billion

Semiconductor Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: 3.2% (memory chips focus)

Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Japan: N/A | South Korea: $21 billion (2024)

SpeakableSpecification
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Japan — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

South Korea — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Japan vs South Korea
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/japan-vs-south-korea)
object: Japan
object: South Korea

Healthcare Expenditure per Capita
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Healthcare

Unemployment Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Labor Market

Median Household Income
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Living Standards

R&D Spending
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation Investment

Global Manufacturing Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Industrial Power

EV Production (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Industry

Nominal GDP 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economic Output

GDP Per Capita 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Wealth Distribution

Real GDP Growth Rate (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth Metrics

Unemployment Rate (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Labor Market

Global Innovation Index Ranking (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Manufacturing Output (% of Global)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Industrial Capacity

Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2025)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Investment

Total GDP (Nominal, 2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economic Size

Inflation Rate (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Price Stability

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2023-2026 avg)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economic Growth

Merchandise Exports 2025
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Trade

Patent Applications Filed (annual avg)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Capital Flows

Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Fiscal Health

Life Expectancy 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Health

GDP Per Capita (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economy

Land Area
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Geography

Human Development Index (2023)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Social Development

Manufacturing Output (Global Share)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economy

Industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Manufacturing

Patent filings annually
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Manufacturing share of global output
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Manufacturing

High-speed rail network length
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

Public Debt to GDP Ratio
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Fiscal Health

Exports as % of GDP
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Trade Dependency

Total GDP
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Economic Scale

Internet Freedom Index
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Governance & Freedom

Press Freedom Index Ranking
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Governance & Freedom

Global Trade Rank
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Trade Power

Annual Tech Sector Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technology

Semiconductor Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technology Sector

Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Capital Flows