Share of population with access to drinkable tap water Japan FY 1950-2021

In the fiscal year 2021, 98.2 percent of the population in Japan had access to drinkable tap water from water services, following a slow but steady increase in the 2010s. Most of the tap water was supplied using waterworks, while a smaller amount was supplied with small-scale water supply systems as well as private water supply systems.

Wastewater treatment in Japan

Water pollution has become an environmental issues worldwide. Marine pollution is mainly caused by oil and waste, such as disposable plastic products. Therefore, wastewater treatment is essential to supply safe and drinkable water. The Japanese government strictly regulates tap water under the Water Supply Act enacted in 1957. In recent years, the share of population served by wastewater treatment systems increased to over 92 percent. The majority of citizens were served by sewage lines.

 Water consumption in Japan

In recent years, the average daily water consumption volume per person in Japan stood at around 281 liters. The Kanto region had the largest demand for water, likely because the metropolitan area of Tokyo is densely populated and represents one of the main industrial centers on the archipelago.