Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJapan's native population has fallen below 120 million for the first time in over 40 years, marking the 17th consecutive annual decline.The number of Japanese nationals living in the country stood at 119.74 million as of 1 January, with the latest figures from the ministry of internal affairs and communications also showing the sharpest annual decline in both numbers and percentage terms since records began.Japan’s fertility rate fell again in 2025 to 1.14 children per woman, according to government data released in June, while there was a natural population decrease of more than 923,000 last year. While the national population shrinks, the number of foreign residents reached a record high, exceeding four million for the first time. Authorities have introduced a number of measures in recent years to tackle the country’s demographic decline, including expanding childcare support, housing subsidies and government-backed matchmaking programmes.In fullJapan’s native population dips below 120 million for first time in decadesMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Why Japan’s native population has dropped to a 40-year low
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJapan's native population has fallen below 120 million for the first time in over 40 years, marking the 17th consecutive annual decline.The number of Japanese nationals living in the country stood at 119.74 million as of 1 January, with the latest figures from the ministry of internal affairs and communications also showing the sharpest annual decline in both numbers and percentage terms since records began.Japan’s fertility rate fell again in 2025 to 1.14 children per woman, according to government data released in June, while there was a natural population decrease of more than 923,000 last year. While the national population shrinks, the number of foreign residents reached a record high, exceeding four million for the first time. Authorities have introduced a number of measures in recent years to tackle the country’s demographic decline, including expanding childcare support, housing subsidies and government-backed matchmaking programmes.In fullJapan’s native population dips below 120 million for first time in decadesMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
