Japan's Population Drops by 3 Million in 5 Years; Tokyo Sees Growth

Japan's total population has fallen by more than 3 million people over the last five years, according to the latest national census data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The country's population now stands at 123,049,524, marking the largest decrease in both absolute numbers and percentage terms since the census began in 1920.

The declining population trend, which first reversed from growth to decline between 2010 and 2015, has accelerated. Japan's global population ranking has also slipped to 12th place, down one spot from five years prior. This demographic shift is a stark indicator of the nation's ongoing challenges with low birth rates and an aging society.

A significant aspect of this demographic shift is the growing regional disparity. While the overall population is shrinking, only Tokyo and Okinawa prefectures saw an increase in residents. Prefectures that had previously shown growth, such as Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, and Fukuoka, have now experienced population declines. Out of 1,719 municipalities nationwide, 1,558 reported a decrease in population.

Tokyo, in particular, continues to be a magnet for migration, with its population growing by 198,621 over the past five years to reach 14,246,219. This represents 11.6% of the total national population. The Nikkei newspaper noted that while the overall population shrinks due to low birth rates and aging, Tokyo's concentration of opportunities for education and employment is exacerbating this "one-core phenomenon."