Average Height in Japan (2026 Data)
The average height in Japan is approximately 5'7" (171 cm) for men and 5'2" (158 cm) for women, based on Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey. Japan ranks near the global average, shorter than Western nations.
Average Height in Japan: Men and Women
Adult height in Japan reflects decades of genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. The most recent national health surveys provide the best estimates for current average stature among adults.
For men, the population mean is about 171 cm (5'7"); for women, about 158 cm (5'2"). These figures represent adults aged 18 and older and are typically measured barefoot in health surveys.
Height varies by region, ethnicity, and birth cohort within Japan. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Japan
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 173 cm (5'8") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 172 cm (5'8") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 171 cm (5'7") | 158 cm (5'2") |
| 50+ | 170 cm (5'7") | 157 cm (5'2") |
Age-group estimates derived from Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS). Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Japan Compares to the World and the US
Globally, the approximate mean adult height is about 171 cm (5'7") for men and 159 cm (5'2.5") for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled estimates covering hundreds of population studies. Compared to this, Japan men are 0 cm taller and women are 1 cm shorter.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Japan men are 4 cm shorter than US men on average; Japan women are 4 cm shorter than US women.
Japan's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of East Asian genetics combined with traditional diets shifting toward more Western calories post-WWII.
Why Heights Differ: Genetics, Nutrition, and Trends
Height is roughly 80% genetic and 20% environmental, but those environmental factors—especially nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life—matter enormously at the population level. Japan's average stature is shaped by East Asian genetics combined with traditional diets shifting toward more Western calories post-WWII.
Japanese youth grew substantially taller after 1950; recent generations show slower gains.
Comparing your personal height to Japan's average is informative, but percentile rankings depend on which reference population you use. Our calculator compares against US CDC/NHANES data, which may differ from Japan's national distribution.
Data source: Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS). For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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