Japan’s population dropped to a record low of 124 million residents, including foreign nationals, as of January 1, 2025, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry. The decline is mainly attributed to a sharp drop in Japanese nationals, who fell by 0.75% to 120 million.
The country has experienced 16 consecutive years of decline for its native-born population, with birth rates hitting an all-time low. This has led to a gap where more than two people are dying for every baby born, causing the population to shrink further.
Tokyo remains the most populous prefecture, but other rural areas are struggling to maintain even half a million residents. Only two prefectures – Tokyo and Chiba – saw year-on-year population gains, with Tokyo growing by about 90,000 people.
The growth of foreign nationals is another trend worth noting, with all 47 prefectures seeing an increase in non-Japanese residents last year. However, policymakers warn that the government needs to devise measures to deal with the changes, as Japan faces competition from other economies for labor and talent.
Economist Fujinami Takumi emphasizes the need for broader, nationwide policies rather than fragmented local approaches to tackle the population crisis. He suggests focusing on employment opportunities, higher wages, and childcare support, which are concentrated in larger cities and prefectural capitals.
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4199