A · BT · CT · D · D1 · D1a · D1a2

Haplogroup D1a2

D1a2-M55 (Japanese/Jomon)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

D1a

Formed (estimate)

c. 35,000–40,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 20,000–25,000 years ago

M55
M57
M64.1
F1966

Overview

D1a2 is the principal paternal lineage of the Jōmon people of Japan and one of the most iconic Paleolithic Y-chromosome lineages in East Asia. Emerging early within D1a, it became isolated in the Japanese archipelago for tens of thousands of years. The deep divergence of D1a2 from its mainland relatives reflects one of the earliest separations of East Asian populations, long predating the arrival of Yayoi agricultural migrants who reshaped the later population history of Japan.

Geographic distribution

D1a2 is found at its highest frequencies in Japan, particularly in Ainu populations and individuals with high Jōmon ancestry. Lower occurrences appear in Ryukyu islands. Very rare signals appear in Korea or coastal China.

Ancient DNA

Multiple Jōmon genomes (Hokkaido, Honshu, Iwate) carry D1a2 or upstream branches.
Upper Paleolithic Japanese individuals show basal D1a2-related haplotypes.
Comparisons of Jōmon and early Korean Neolithic individuals demonstrate long-term isolation of D1a2.

Phylogeny & subclades

D1a2 is defined by M55 and M64.1. It contains several microbranches reflecting long-term localized diversification within the Jōmon cultural horizon.

D1a2a
D1a2b
D1a2*

Notes & context