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Japanese Population Below 120 Million for First Time in Decades
Foreign residents rose 9.62% to 4,031,159 as births hit a record low and deaths drove Japan’s sharpest population decline on record.
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported Wednesday that Japan's population fell below 120 million for the first time in 42 years to 119,736,483. This marked the 17th consecutive year of decline.
- Conversely, foreign residents in Japan reached a record 4,031,159, growing 9.62% as the country opens its doors to foreign workers facing labor shortages. The foreign population has grown since 2023 following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Driving this trend, Japan recorded a natural population decline of 923,008 as births hit a record low of 670,467 in 2025. The country saw 1,593,475 deaths, with none of the 47 prefectures reporting a natural increase.
- Tokyo, Osaka, and Chiba reported population growth, while the remaining 46 prefectures marked decreases. Tokyo's population rose by 75,019 to 14,077,553, while Osaka reached 8,775,326 and Chiba increased to 6,313,748.
- Japan's combined population, including foreign residents, fell by 563,048, or 0.45%, to 123,767,642. The Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya metropolitan areas account for more than half of the country's population, despite falling for the sixth straight year.
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Japan sees 17th consecutive year of population decline. Why is the country failing to reverse the trend?
Japan's population of Japanese nationals falls below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, marking a 17th straight year of decline. Despite childcare support, cash incentives and even AI-powered matchmaking, the country is struggling to reverse its demographic crisis.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources40
Leaning Left4Leaning Right15Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Right
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right
L 16%
C 24%
R 60%
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