Is the air quality good in Osaka?
On September 17, 2025, at 5:20 AM PT, Osaka, Japan, experienced unusually poor air quality. The AQI is classified as “moderate” and bordering on the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range.
Some neighborhoods were in the higher range, where concentrations of PM2.5 were the dominant pollutant.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. On Wednesday morning, Osaka ranked as the 10th most polluted major city, with Tokyo, Kobe, and Kyoto also experiencing moderate air quality.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Osaka.
While the air quality conditions on September 17 are unusually poor, the broader picture is more favorable; in 2024, the average PM2.5 concentration in Osaka was 9.4 µg/m3. This corresponds to an AQI of 39, which falls into the “good” category and was ~2 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3.
Osaka, Japan ranked as the 10th most polluted major city on Sep 17, 2025, 5:20 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Osaka?
The forecast indicates some improvement in air quality later in the day.
Hourly air quality forecast for Osaka, Japan on Sep 17, 2025, 5:20 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Osaka, Japan on Sep 17, 2025, 5:20 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Osaka?
The current air quality in Osaka is influenced by several factors:
- Industrial pollution from local factories and manufacturing plants.
- Vehicle emissions contributing to increased particulate matter in urban areas.
- High population density increasing overall pollutant concentration.
- Geographic factors such as valleys and basins that can trap air pollutants, reducing dispersal.