In 2022, the annual average rainfall in Japan amounted to around 1.54 thousand millimeters. Figures decreased compared to about 1.83 thousand millimeters in the previous year. Most of the rain fell during the rainy season, which is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs.
Seasonal rainfall
In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from early June to mid-July. In the southernmost prefecture Okinawa, it roughly starts a month earlier, while the northernmost main island Hokkaido is less affected. Heavy rainfall can cause floods, which can lead to landslides and mudflows in mountainous areas. In recent years, flooded houses accounted for the highest number of damage situations in natural disasters. Furthermore, heavy rain and floods are often caused by typhoons, which develop over the Pacific Ocean and regularly approach the archipelago between July and October. Since the number of typhoons has increased in recent years, the amount of damage caused by floods grew as well.
Climate change
Climate change has affected Japan in recent years, resulting in increased rainfall and an increase of the average annual temperature in Tokyo. These weather changes can intensify natural disasters such as heavy rain and typhoons. In recent years, Japan was among the countries with the most natural disasters. To counter global warming, Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing its renewable and nuclear energy share.
Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022
(in millimeters)
Characteristic
Rainfall in millimeters
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
MLIT (Japan). (January 26, 2024). Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in millimeters) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/
MLIT (Japan). "Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in millimeters)." Chart. January 26, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/
MLIT (Japan). (2024). Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in millimeters). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/
MLIT (Japan). "Annual Average Rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in Millimeters)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/
MLIT (Japan), Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in millimeters) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Annual average rainfall in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in millimeters) [Graph], MLIT (Japan), January 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1083931/japan-average-annual-rainfall/