Falling to a series low
Japan Coal Production moved from 1.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−50%), an average of −8.3% a year. The series high was 1.40 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023.
What Japan Coal Production shows
Japan Coal Production was 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 14.3% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset of Japan from 2015 to 2023 provides a detailed overview of the country’s limited domestic coal mining activity, highlighting annual production volumes, output trends, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in thousand tonnes, the dataset represents the total quantity of coal produced from domestic sources each year.
A 57.1% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 0.800 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −28.6% in 2018.
Ranks 27 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 27 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Japan Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 0.600 | −14.3% |
| 2022 | 0.700 | 0% |
| 2021 | 0.700 | −12.5% |
| 2020 | 0.800 | 0% |
| 2019 | 0.800 | −20% |
| 2018 | 1.00 | −28.6% |
| 2017Peak | 1.40 | +7.7% |
| 2016 | 1.30 | +8.3% |
| 2015 | 1.20 | — |
Regional context
How Japan compares in Asia-Pacific
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Japan is highlighted.
1China4,710
2India1,011
3Indonesia775.2
4Australia455.8
5Mongolia83.20
6Vietnam48.20
7Thailand12.80
9Japan0.600
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It serves as an important indicator of Japan’s remaining coal mining operations and reflects the diminishing contribution of domestic coal production to the country’s energy supply.
Japan produced 1,200 thousand tonnes of coal in 2015, increasing to 1,300 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 1,400 thousand tonnes in 2017. Production declined to 1,000 thousand tonnes in 2018 and further decreased to 800 thousand tonnes in both 2019 and 2020. Output continued to decline to 700 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 2022, before reaching 600 thousand tonnes in 2023, the lowest level during the review period.
Overall, the dataset indicates a consistent long-term decline in Japan’s domestic coal production. The reduction reflects the country’s limited coal reserves, high production costs, reliance on imported coal, and ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency while expanding cleaner energy sources. Domestic coal mining now contributes only a small share of Japan’s overall energy requirements.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Japan’s coal production outlook, analyzing domestic mining activity, and assessing long-term changes within the country’s energy sector. It supports market research, policy development, investment analysis, and strategic planning while providing useful insights for researchers, government agencies, industry participants, and stakeholders monitoring production trends, mining activity, and the declining role of domestic coal production in Japan.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Japan Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was Japan Coal Production in 2023?
Japan Coal Production was 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 14.3% on 2022.
How has Japan Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Japan Coal Production moved from 1.20 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−50%), an average of −8.3% a year. The series high was 1.40 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Japan Coal Production?
The highest value was 1.40 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 0.600 Million Tonnes in 2023.
What does the Japan Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the Japan Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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