Plastic waste exports in Japan
Japan: Plastic waste exports was 683,123 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Japan, 1988–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, plastic waste exports in Japan stood at 683,123 tonnes.
The figure is up 12.7% on the previous year and down 59.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Japan peaked at 1.68 million tonnes in 2013 and was at its lowest, 36,171 tonnes, in 1989.
That places Japan 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 40,979 tonnes | 36,171 tonnes | 45,787 tonnes | 2 |
| 1990s | 105,174 tonnes | 41,401 tonnes | 190,627 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 964,474 tonnes | 299,959 tonnes | 1.52 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.48 million tonnes | 898,436 tonnes | 1.68 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 659,379 tonnes | 563,454 tonnes | 820,742 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More environment data for Japan
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 1,063 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 8.58 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 38.9 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 1.04 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 3.5 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.3162 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 50.87 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.6478 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.4564 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 5.74 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Japan?
- Plastic waste exports in Japan was 683,123 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.68 million tonnes in 2013.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 36,171 tonnes in 1989.
- How does Japan rank for plastic waste exports?
- Japan ranks 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.