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Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions

– Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology.

Japan Mobile Cellular SubscriptionsMillion · 2015–2023

2252001751502015: 160.6Trough2016: 166.92017: 172.82018: 179.92019: 186.52020: 195.12021: 200.52022: 210.82023: 221.9Peak20152017201920212023
Source: data.worldbank.orgLast updated: April 2026

What Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 221.9 Million in 2023, up 5.3% on 2022. Japan’s mobile cellular subscriptions from 2015 to 2023 represents an absolutely breathtaking saga of technological perfection and high-velocity digital evolution. Over this transformative era, the nation witnessed its subscription base skyrocket from a massive 160.56 millionin 2015 to a staggering 221.92 million in 2023, reflecting a society possessed by an insatiable appetite for the digital age.

Trend

Rising to a series high

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 160.6 Million in 2015 to 221.9 Million in 2023 (+38.2%), an average of +4.1% a year. The series high was 221.9 Million in 2023 and the low 160.6 Million in 2015.

Volatility

A 27.6% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 61.36 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +5.3% in 2023.

Structure

Ranks 7 of 35 countries covered

Among the 35 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 7 for 2023, behind China (1,820 Million) and India (1,160 Million). It accounts for 2.5% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions, 2015–2023, Million.
YearMillionChange vs prior year
2023Peak 221.9 +5.3%
2022 210.8 +5.1%
2021 200.5 +2.8%
2020 195.1 +4.6%
2019 186.5 +3.7%
2018 179.9 +4.1%
2017 172.8 +3.6%
2016 166.9 +3.9%
2015 Trough160.6 —

Regional context

How Japan compares in East Asia & Pacific

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2023, Million. Japan is highlighted.

1China
1,820
2Indonesia
352.2
3Japan
221.9
4Philippines
134.7
5Thailand
120.9
6South Korea
83.89
7Malaysia
50.14
8Australia
29.76

About this indicator

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions — – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months).

This relentless expansion highlights a nation that has completely woven mobile connectivity into the very fabric of its industrial and social identity. The Japanese telecommunications sector is an absolute marvel of modern engineering, boasting a hyper-advanced infrastructure that spearheaded an aggressive transition from reliable 4G LTE to the revolutionary, lightning-fast frontiers of 5G technology. With penetration rates that frequently defy the constraints of population figures, the data reveals an elite society where multi-device ownership and persistent, high-octane connectivity are the absolute norm. This monumental growth was fueled by an explosive demand for high-capacity data services, immersive streaming, and a sophisticated Internet of Things (IoT) network that connects every facet of Japanese life. Major telecom titans have poured unfathomable billions into network hardening and spectrum innovation to ensure Japan remains the undisputed vanguard of the global digital economy. This dataset serves as a powerful, ironclad testament to a market that refuses to plateau, continuously reinventing itself through radical innovation and a visionary commitment to total connectivity. It is a definitive portrait of a digital superpower maintaining a relentless grip on the future of communications, ensuring that from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the most remote regions, every citizen is bathed in high-speed connectivity. Japan is no longer just participating in the digital revolution; it is actively leading it, establishing a resilient and high-velocity landscape for the entire world to admire.

Indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
Country
Japan
Region
East Asia & Pacific
Unit
Million
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
ICT & Media
Last updated
April 2026
Source
data.worldbank.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?

Definition – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months). Inclusions – The data includes all active mobile cellular subscriptions offering voice communication services, covering both prepaid and postpaid accounts. It encompasses subscriptions across analogue and digital cellular technologies (including 2G, 3G, and 4G systems) and is compiled from telecom operators and regulatory authorities, typically aggregated at the national level. Exclusions – The data excludes subscriptions used solely for mobile data services such as USB modems or data cards, as well as private trunked mobile radio, radio paging, telepoint systems, and telemetry services. It also does not capture inactive SIM cards or non-voice-based mobile connectivity services.

What was Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2023?

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 221.9 Million in 2023, up 5.3% on 2022.

How has Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2023?

Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 160.6 Million in 2015 to 221.9 Million in 2023 (+38.2%), an average of +4.1% a year. The series high was 221.9 Million in 2023 and the low 160.6 Million in 2015.

Which year had the highest and lowest Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?

The highest value was 221.9 Million in 2023 and the lowest was 160.6 Million in 2015.

Where does the Japan Mobile Cellular Subscriptions data come from?

The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million.

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