AoE2 Codex Close the Knowledge Gap
AoE2 CodexCivilizationsJapanese
Japanese crest
Civilization · Infantry

Japanese

The Japanese are an infantry civilization with 4 civilization bonuses, led by the Samurai. Mills, Lumber- and Mining Camps cost -50%.

Open the Japanese in the Civ Codex →
Early economy
Focus
Infantry
Introduced
The Age of Kings (1999)
Win rate
51.7%
Pick rate
2.55%

Civilization bonuses

  • Mills, Lumber- and Mining Camps cost -50%
  • Infantry attacks +33% faster starting in Feudal Age
  • Cavalry Archers +2 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers (except Skirmishers)
  • Fishing Ships work +5/10/15/20% faster in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age; +100% HP

Unique technologies

  • Yasama (Watch Tower-line fires additional arrows)
  • Kataparuto (Trebuchets attack and pack/unpack faster)

Unique unit

Team bonus

Galley-line +4 line of sight

How strong are the Japanese on the ranked ladder?

On the current balance patch (162286), the Japanese hold a 51.7% win rate in 1v1 Random Map across all ratings, ranking #9 of 50 civilizations. They appear in 2.55% of matches (52,474 games sampled). Ladder statistics via aoestats.io.

Age of Empires II © Microsoft Corporation. AoE2Codex was created under Microsoft's "Game Content Usage Rules" using assets from Age of Empires II, and it is not endorsed by or affiliated with Microsoft.

© 2026 AoE2Codex. All fan content is property of their respective owners.