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Navy comparison: Flag of Japan Japan vs Flag of North Korea North Korea

North Korea's 421-ship navy outnumbers Japan's 169 vessels (2.5:1 advantage). Of these, 158 and 390 are in active service respectively.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Japan JapanWorld #4 50.6
SEAS Index / 100

Japan leads on 6 of 9 categories

Naval ensign of North Korea North KoreaWorld #25 17.4
  • 2 Aircraft carriersweight ×200 · size, era 0
  • 42 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 1
  • 23 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 21
  • 10 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 2
  • 0 Corvettesweight ×15 · size, era 9
  • 3 Amphibiousweight ×12 · size, era 0
  • 18 Mine warfareweight ×5 · size, era 0
  • 6 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 187
  • 0 Coastal boatsweight ×1 · size, era 170
  • 11 Support shipsnot scored 0
  • 43 Other shipsnot scored 0
Japan North Korea Bars: weighted contribution to the SEAS Index (hulls × category weight × size, era and propulsion factors, minor vessels capped at 30 % of the combatant points; the air-wing, sustainment, armament and availability multipliers apply on top) · figures: active hulls at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
Japan North Korea Ratio
Official name Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Korean People's Army Naval Force
Total ships 169 421 🇰🇵 2.5×
Active ships 158 390 🇰🇵 2.5×
On order / planned 8 2 🇯🇵 4.0×
Submarines 23 21 🇯🇵 1.1×
Principal surface combatants 52 3 🇯🇵 17×
Aircraft carriers 2 0 🇯🇵
Amphibious ships 3 0 🇯🇵
Show full breakdown · 5 more rowsHide the 5 extra rows
Corvettes 0 9 🇰🇵
Patrol boats 6 187 🇰🇵 31×
Mine warfare 18 0 🇯🇵
Coastal boats 0 170 🇰🇵
Auxiliaries 54 0 🇯🇵
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇯🇵 JapanIzumo-class ×2Sōryū-class ×12Murasame-class ×9
🇰🇵 North KoreaRomeo-class ×20Choe Hyon-class ×1Najin-class ×2
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Japan or North Korea?
North Korea has a larger navy with 421 ships compared to Japan's 169 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, Japan or North Korea?
Japan operates more submarines with 27 compared to North Korea's 22.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Japan or North Korea?
Japan has 2 aircraft carrier(s) compared to North Korea's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, Japan or North Korea?
Japan operates 42 destroyers compared to North Korea's 4.
Which navy has more frigates, Japan or North Korea?
Japan operates 17 frigates compared to North Korea's 2.
How do the Japan and North Korea navies compare in size?
North Korea's navy is 2.5 times larger than Japan's in terms of total ships (421 vs 169).