On what date was Pokémon Go released in Japan?

Pokémon Go was released in Japan on July 22, 2016.

The mobile game was developed by Niantic and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. It combines GPS location data, map exploration, and augmented-reality features, allowing players to find Pokémon in real-world surroundings.

Pokémon Go did not launch worldwide on one single day. Its first release arrived on July 6, 2016, in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Other countries followed in stages, with Japan receiving the game on July 22 and France on July 24.

The staggered rollout is why launch-date questions can produce different answers. The July 6 date is the international debut, while July 22 specifically identifies the Japanese release. The game became a major cultural event during its first year and encouraged players to explore public spaces while collecting Pokémon.