What is key media freedoms in Japan?

Key media freedoms in Japan was 1.43 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Japan?

The highest recorded value was 2.45 in 1970.

What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Japan?

The lowest recorded value was -2.24 in 1940.

How does Japan rank for key media freedoms?

Japan ranks 44th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.

Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Japan?

Over the last ten years it is down 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Japan data come from?

The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Key media freedoms in Japan

Name: Key media freedoms in Japan
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Japan: Key media freedoms was 1.43 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

1.43

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

44th

of 175 countries

All-time high

2.45

in 1970

All-time low

-2.24

in 1940

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Key media freedoms in Japan, 1900–2025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Japan is 1.43, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of down 14.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Japan peaked at 2.45 in 1970 and was at its lowest, -2.24, in 1940.

That places Japan 44th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	-0.452	-0.452	-0.452	10
1910s	-0.452	-0.452	-0.452	10
1920s	-0.662	-0.872	-0.452	10
1930s	-1.49	-1.49	-1.49	10
1940s	-0.798	-2.24	1.42	10
1950s	1.96	1.42	2.29	10
1960s	2.29	2.29	2.29	10
1970s	2.45	2.45	2.45	10
1980s	2.45	2.45	2.45	10
1990s	2.29	2.29	2.29	10
2000s	2.31	2.29	2.43	10
2010s	1.87	1.64	2.43	10
2020s	1.46	1.33	1.71	6

Countries ranked near Japan

41 Paraguay 1.55 compare
42 Solomon Islands 1.52 compare
43 Ghana 1.49 compare
45 Cape Verde 1.37 compare
47 Gambia 1.36 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More social development data for Japan

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 42,450 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 56 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.819 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.847 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.924 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.819 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.526 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.734 (2025)

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is key media freedoms in Japan?: Key media freedoms in Japan was 1.43 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Japan?: The highest recorded value was 2.45 in 1970.
What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Japan?: The lowest recorded value was -2.24 in 1940.
How does Japan rank for key media freedoms?: Japan ranks 44th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Japan?: Over the last ten years it is down 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Japan data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Key media freedoms
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 175 places, 21,793 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.