About JAM
JAM (Japan Mosaic) is a service for exploring Japan's places and the distribution of foreign residents through maps, rankings, composition, and trends, grounded in official statistics.
From place to people
Start with Japan or a local area, then explore the foreign residents who live there through counts, nationality composition, and trends.
From nationality to place
Start with a nationality, then use maps and prefecture comparisons to explore where those residents live across Japan.
Different views of the data
- Maps connect a national view with prefecture and municipality exploration.
- Rankings and change comparisons show differences between prefectures and periods.
- Composition shows the nationalities represented in an area, while recent and long-term trends show change over time.
Grounded in official statistics
JAM builds trust in its exploration on official statistics. Data & Sources explains the sources, reference periods, calculations, and limitations behind the displays.
Photography and place identity
Prefecture photography helps convey the landscape and character of a place, making it easier to recognize as a place rather than only a data point. Photography is not statistical evidence.
Interpreting the data
JAM visualizes observed statistical values and differences. It does not claim that they establish causes or future outcomes, or attach judgments of value or superiority to places, nationalities, or communities.
About the data
JAM processes and visualizes statistics from the Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat) and boundary data from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Each dataset has its own reference date and limitations.
External services
Google Maps links are provided for further local exploration. JAM does not automatically connect to Google Maps before you select a link.