The US economy is significantly larger at $28.7 trillion GDP versus Japan's $4.2 trillion, making it the world's largest economy, while Japan ranks third globally. However, Japan has a higher GDP per capita ($39,300 vs $86,200) and lower unemployment (2.5% vs 3.9%), reflecting different economic structures and development stages.
US Economy vs Japan Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal GDP with advanced services sector and highest per-capita wealth.
World's third-largest economy at $4.2 trillion, specialized in manufacturing, robotics, and precision engineering.
Total GDP (2024). GDP Per Capita (2024). Unemployment Rate (2024). Population (2024). Inflation Rate (2024). National Debt (% of GDP). Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
The US economy dominates in absolute size and remains the world's largest with the highest GDP per capita, driven by its diverse economy, large consumer base, and technological innovation leadership. Choose to study the US economy for understanding global financial markets and consumer-driven growth; choose Japan for lessons in manufacturing efficiency, demographic challenges, and debt management in developed economies.
United States Economy: $30.0-30.5 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~6% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~16% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~3.8-4.0% | Japan Economy: N/A
Advanced Semiconductor Market Leadership
United States Economy: Dominant (Intel, TSMC partnership, Samsung); controls cutting-edge nodes | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 20-25% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Global leader in design and manufacturing | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Moderate exposure | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.2% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $925.8 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $4.18 trillion (2024) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 30.0+ | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $4,175 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $4,481 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~20% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 6% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Leading edge (3nm and below) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Minimal negative impact | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~10% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Leading in design and manufacturing | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Minimal (exporter advantage) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925.8 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 25-30% of global EVs | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 8-10% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~4.0% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $4,175,432 million (2024) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925,796.8 million | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $89,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $10,266.8 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $925.8 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Global market leader | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Lower exposure | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~6% of global | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Minimal | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.4-0.6% | Japan Economy: N/A
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States Economy: ~15% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $89,000+ | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.2-0.4pp | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% (from AI investment) | Japan Economy: N/A
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share
United States Economy: 4% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 15% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $50-150B | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $31.5 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.1% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1st | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 127% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 335 million | Japan Economy: 123 million
United States Economy: $809 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: AI, semiconductors, cloud, fintech | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $35,000-45,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $94,430 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $11.1 trillion ahead | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Data not available | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~25-26% of global GDP | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1st (maintained) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~1.8% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.2% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Not specified | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $85,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | Japan Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: €10,217,935.3 million | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $3,981 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 44.5 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~2.8% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1 EUR = 1.1797 USD | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.4% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $96,500+ | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $11.53 trillion lead | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.23 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 122.27% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 37.74% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 3.5% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $81,500 | Japan Economy: $31,546
United States Economy: 336 million | Japan Economy: 124 million
United States Economy: 2.8% | Japan Economy: 2.6%
United States Economy: 11.8% | Japan Economy: 19.3%
United States Economy: 25.5% | Japan Economy: 3.9%
United States Economy: 38.5 years | Japan Economy: 48.7 years
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.9% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $156 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 167 companies | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.2% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $82,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $86,200 | Japan Economy: $39,300
United States Economy: 2.5% | Japan Economy: 1.2%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $82,500 | Japan Economy: $32,100
United States Economy: 4.1% | Japan Economy: 2.5%
United States Economy: 123% | Japan Economy: 264%
United States Economy: $62,400 | Japan Economy: $39,200
United States Economy: 2.8% | Japan Economy: 2.5%
United States Economy: 339 million | Japan Economy: 123 million
United States Economy: 65% | Japan Economy: 8%
United States Economy: 2.5% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $85,240 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | Japan Economy: $1.2T
United States Economy: 16% | Japan Economy: 7.2%
United States Economy: 123% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | Japan Economy: $925 billion
United States Economy: $80,412 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.8 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 340 million | Japan Economy: 125 million
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.78 trillion | Japan Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 135 companies | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $33.2 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.8% | Japan Economy: 1.2%
United States Economy: 11% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 80.1% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $31.2 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | Japan Economy: 8%
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.3T | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.5% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 130% | Japan Economy: 264%
United States Economy: 4.1% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $820 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 714,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.7% | Japan Economy: 1.2%
United States Economy: 8.2% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$73.1 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $68,420 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.38 million | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9.8% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $42.8 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $7.1 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | Japan Economy: N/A
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $269 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.7 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 63.0% | Japan Economy: N/A
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)
United States Economy: $14.2 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)
United States Economy: 2.4% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.2 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26% of world GDP | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 0.41 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17.3% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion deficit | Japan Economy: +$229B
United States Economy: 3.2% | Japan Economy: 2.8%
United States Economy: 38.9 years | Japan Economy: 49.2
United States Economy: 398,144 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 209 million | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 615,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.6% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $76,398 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.2% | Japan Economy: 18.9%
United States Economy: 415,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $48 trillion | Japan Economy: $5.2 trillion
United States Economy: $120,000 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $76,500 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 680 GW | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4T | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.7% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 32.4% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.9% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21.6% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.9 trillion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 80% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 25.4% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 31% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $189 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 3.9% | Japan Economy: 2.5%
United States Economy: 82% | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 41.1 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | Japan Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 2.1% | Japan Economy: 1.2%
United States Economy: $7.25 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $68.40 | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $119 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $382 billion | Japan Economy: N/A
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: $13.2 billion
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: 20% (high-tech focused)
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: 28%
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: $26 billion
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: 310,000
United States Economy: N/A | Japan Economy: 4th largest exporter
How to choose between United States Economy and Japan Economy
Compare United States Economy vs Japan Economy
US Economy vs Japan Economy — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US Economy vs Japan Economy. Contains 254 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US Economy vs Japan Economy — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US Economy vs Japan Economy.
Why is the US economy so much larger than Japan's despite Japan's higher manufacturing focus?
The US economy is $24.5 trillion larger primarily due to three factors: (1) 2.76x larger population (340M vs 123M) providing greater labor and consumer base, (2) dominance in high-value services sectors including finance, technology, and entertainment generating $15.2 trillion annually, and (3) faster GDP growth averaging 2.1% annually versus Japan's 1.2%, compounded over decades. While Japan excels at manufacturing (18.9% of GDP), the US service sector generates higher profit margins and innovation premiums.
How do debt levels compare and what's the sustainability outlook?
Japan carries significantly higher debt at 264% of GDP ($11.2 trillion) versus the US at 123% ($35.2 trillion). Japan has maintained this level for 30+ years through low interest rates and domestic savings, but faces sustainability challenges from a shrinking tax base due to population decline. The US has more flexible debt management through global reserve currency status but faces political gridlock on deficit reduction. Japan's debt is more urgent long-term due to demographic decline reducing future tax revenue.
Which economy is better positioned for future growth?
The US has structural advantages: growing population (+0.5% annually), younger demographic profile (median age 38 vs 49), and leadership in AI/semiconductors with $584B in tech R&D spending annually. Japan faces headwinds: population declining 0.6% yearly, aging workforce (28% over 65), and lower birth rates (1.2 children per woman). However, Japan's aging population creates $320B+ annual opportunities in robotics and eldercare technology, while the US gains from immigration offsetting demographic challenges.
How do employment markets differ between the two economies?
Japan maintains exceptionally tight labor markets with 2.5% unemployment and near-full employment, creating wage pressures (3.8% annual wage growth). The US unemployment at 3.9% provides more labor flexibility but with greater income inequality—top 10% earn 50% of income versus Japan's more equitable 36%. Japan's labor market is characterized by lifetime employment traditions and seniority-based pay, while the US offers higher mobility but less job security and stronger gig economy presence (16% of US workforce).
What are the key investment implications of these economic differences?
US economy investments benefit from: tech innovation exposure, consumer spending resilience, and liquid capital markets generating $36B+ daily trading. Japanese investments offer: manufacturing stability, dividend yields (average 2.1% vs US 1.8%), currency appreciation potential if yen strengthens, and exposure to aging-population-focused sectors. US faces inflation/interest rate volatility; Japan offers deflation hedge. Portfolio allocation depends on risk tolerance: US for growth, Japan for stability and income.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and Japan Economy
Total GDP (2024): United States Economy has $28.7 trillion, while Japan Economy has $4.2 trillion.
GDP Per Capita (2024): United States Economy has $86,200, while Japan Economy has $39,300.
Unemployment Rate (2024): United States Economy has 3.9%, while Japan Economy has 2.5%.
Population (2024): United States Economy has 340 million, while Japan Economy has 123 million.
Inflation Rate (2024): United States Economy has 3.2%, while Japan Economy has 2.8%.
National Debt (% of GDP): United States Economy has 123%, while Japan Economy has 264%.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
Manufacturing Output (% of GDP): United States Economy has 11.2%, while Japan Economy has 18.9%.