Genetic and anthropometric studies on Japanese people

In population genetics, extensive research has been done on the genetic origins of modern Japanese people.

Historically, Japanese people possess ancestries introduced during the Jōmon period, Yayoi period, and arguably, the Kofun period. These genetic markers are best represented by the Jōmon, Yayoi, and Toraijin peoples respectively.

Genetically, they are categorized into three separate, but related groups: Ainu, Ryukyuan and Mainland (Yamato). According to modern genetic analyses, they primarily have Northeast Asian, East Asian, and to a lesser extent, heterogeneous Jōmon ancestries.

Anthropologically, they are classified under the "Northeast Asian" cluster and show strong resemblance with Koreans, and to some extent, southern East Asian groups.