Traffic accident deaths in Japan fell to a record low of 2,547 in 2025, down 4.4% from the previous year, according to the National Police Agency. The figure marks the lowest since records began in 1948 but missed the government's target of 2,000 or fewer fatalities. Officials highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance road safety.
The National Police Agency announced on January 7 that traffic accident deaths in Japan totaled 2,547 in 2025, a drop of 116 or 4.4% from the previous year's 2,663. This represents the lowest figure since records started in 1948, though it fell short of the government's goal to reduce fatalities to 2,000 or fewer by 2025.
By prefecture, Kanagawa saw the highest number at 139 deaths, followed by Tokyo with 134 and Hokkaido with 129. The lowest were Shimane and Tottori, each with 17. Fatalities among those aged 65 and older decreased by 90 to 1,423, comprising 55.9% of all deaths.
Japan's traffic deaths peaked at 16,765 in 1970 and had lingered around the 2,600 range from 2021 to 2024. Preliminary data shows injury accidents fell by 3,659 to 287,236, while the number of injured dropped by 6,101 to 338,294—both the lowest in 50 years.
"The decline reflected active efforts to prevent accidents, but the target was not achieved," said Jiro Akama, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission. He added that the commission would direct police to intensify bicycle traffic safety education and crack down more aggressively on serious violations like drunk driving. The agency plans a detailed analysis to inform future safety measures.