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Countries That Speak Japanese: The Complete List

Japanese is spoken far beyond the islands of Japan — in neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and cultural centers across many countries where communities and trade bring the language to life. Whether from migration, historical ties, or modern media and tourism, you’ll find pockets of Japanese speakers in surprising places.

There are 18 Countries that Speak Japanese, ranging from Argentina to United States; for each country you’ll find below the data organized into Flag, Status, Speakers (est), so you can quickly see presence and scale — you’ll find below.

How reliable are the “Speakers (est)” numbers and where do they come from?

Estimates combine census figures, community surveys, embassy reports, and linguistic studies, so accuracy varies by country; small or recent communities often have wider margins of error, while official censuses give firmer counts. Use the numbers as indicators of relative size rather than exact totals.

Does “Status” mean Japanese is an official language in any of these countries?

“Status” indicates how Japanese is used locally — official, recognized in education, commonly used among communities, or mainly present through businesses and cultural centers. Very few countries list Japanese as an official language; most show it as a community or educational presence.

Countries that Speak Japanese

Country Flag Status Speakers (est)
Japan 🇯🇵 Official 125,000,000
United States 🇺🇸 Large diaspora 500,000
Brazil 🇧🇷 Large diaspora 100,000
Peru 🇵🇪 Recognized minority 30,000
Canada 🇨🇦 Large diaspora 60,000
Philippines 🇵🇭 Large diaspora 40,000
Australia 🇦🇺 Large diaspora 50,000
China 🇨🇳 Large diaspora 120,000
South Korea 🇰🇷 Large diaspora 60,000
Taiwan 🇹🇼 Large diaspora 30,000
United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Large diaspora 60,000
Germany 🇩🇪 Large diaspora 30,000
Thailand 🇹🇭 Large diaspora 60,000
Argentina 🇦🇷 Large diaspora 30,000
Mexico 🇲🇽 Large diaspora 15,000
New Zealand 🇳🇿 Large diaspora 20,000
Singapore 🇸🇬 Large diaspora 40,000
France 🇫🇷 Large diaspora 30,000

Images and Descriptions

Japan

Japan

Japanese is the national and official language of Japan, spoken across the country in government, schools, media, and daily life. It’s the origin of the language and home to virtually all native speakers and the standard dialects used worldwide.

United States

United States

Large Japanese-American communities in California, Hawaii, and major cities; long immigration history, business ties, and postwar migration maintain fluent speakers. Includes both long-established Nikkei families and recent expatriates and students.

Brazil

Brazil

Home to the world’s largest Nikkei community outside Japan, concentrated in São Paulo. Migration from early 20th century created a historically notable diaspora; speakers include older generations, community schools, and recent returnees.

Peru

Peru

Historic Japanese community dating to early 1900s immigration, with concentrations in Lima. Cultural legacy is prominent despite language shift; a noticeable number of older and heritage speakers, plus expatriates and business ties with Japan.

Canada

Canada

Japanese-Canadian communities in British Columbia and Ontario include longtime families and newer professionals. Japanese is used in community schools, cultural centers, and among immigrant families and expatriates in major cities.

Philippines

Philippines

Significant Japanese resident population in Manila, Cebu, and tourist areas. Presence driven by business, retirees, and tourism; both Japanese nationals and Filipinos working in Japan-related industries contribute to fluent speaker numbers.

Australia

Australia

Japanese expatriates, students, and business communities concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Language presence stems from trade, education exchanges, and a visible cultural community with schools and language programs.

China

China

Major Japanese expatriate populations in Shanghai, Beijing, and other coastal cities, plus Chinese nationals fluent in Japanese for business and tourism. Historical ties and extensive trade drive significant resident and bilingual communities.

South Korea

South Korea

Proximity, historical links, tourism, and business create notable Japanese speaker communities in Seoul and Busan. Includes Japanese expatriates, Koreans fluent in Japanese for work and trade, and families with bilingual backgrounds.

Taiwan

Taiwan

Historical colonial ties left older generations who still speak Japanese; modern ties include tourism, business, and Japanese expatriates in Taipei. Japanese is widely learned and used especially in hospitality and cultural exchange.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Japanese communities in London and university towns include business expatriates, students, and families. Japan–UK trade and academic exchange sustain a visible Japanese-speaking population and cultural institutions.

Germany

Germany

Japanese residents concentrated in Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Munich for business and academia. Longstanding corporate ties and student exchanges support Japanese-language schools, cultural centers, and local bilingual communities.

Thailand

Thailand

Major Japanese expatriate communities in Bangkok and resort areas driven by business, tourism, and retirees. Japanese schools, companies, and cultural clubs maintain the language among both nationals and locals working in Japan-related sectors.

Argentina

Argentina

Historic Nikkei community established in the early 20th century, mainly around Buenos Aires. Cultural influence persists through associations and schools; a number of heritage speakers and renewed interest from younger generations.

Mexico

Mexico

Early 20th-century immigrants and postwar ties created Japanese communities in Mexico City and Baja California. Present-day speakers include descendants, expatriates, and businesspeople involved in trade with Japan.

New Zealand

New Zealand

Japanese residents and students in Auckland and Wellington, driven by education, tourism, and business links. Community schools and cultural exchanges maintain Japanese usage among families and expatriates.

Singapore

Singapore

Significant Japanese expatriate community and regional headquarters for many companies; concentrated in business districts and international schools. Japanese is common in corporate, retail, and school settings among residents.

France

France

Japanese communities primarily in Paris and cultural hubs include businesspeople, students, and long-term residents. Strong cultural and academic exchange fosters Japanese-language schools, media, and community associations.

Countries that Speak Other Languages