Japan's Citizen Population Falls Below 120 Million for First Time in 42 Years

Japan's national population has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, reaching 119,736,483 as of January 1. This figure represents a significant decrease of 917,000 from the previous year, the largest decline recorded since comparable data became available in 1968. The demographic shift underscores Japan's ongoing challenges with a rapidly aging society and a persistently low birth rate.

Amidst this decline, Tokyo was the sole prefecture to register a slight increase in its Japanese national population, with a 0.09 percent rise. Conversely, the number of foreign residents in Japan has surged to a record high of 4,031,159, an increase of 354,000 from the prior year. This marks the highest figure recorded since the ministry began tracking this data in 2013.

The increase in foreign residents is directly linked to Japan's efforts to expand access for foreign workers, aiming to alleviate persistent labor shortages. Working-age foreigners constitute a substantial 86.17% of this growing demographic. Regions like Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Oita have seen the most significant increases in foreign residents, with Hokkaido leading at 14.89%.

Overall, Japan's total population, including foreign residents, now stands at 123,767,642, a decrease of approximately 563,000 from the previous year. Population growth was primarily concentrated in the prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, and Osaka, highlighting a trend of demographic concentration in major urban centers.