Japan’s population of Japanese nationals shrank by a record 908,574 people in 2024—the steepest annual drop since records began in 1968—highlighting the deepening demographic crisis in the world’s third-largest economy. According to figures released Wednesday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the native population stood at 120.65 million as of January 1, 2025, marking a 0.75% year-on-year decline.
This is the 16th consecutive year Japan has recorded a population decline, driven largely by persistently low birth rates and an aging society. In 2024, the number of births dropped to 686,061, the first time the figure fell below 700,000 since records began in 1899, according to health ministry data.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has labeled the demographic crisis a “quiet emergency,” vowing to implement family-friendly policies, including more flexible working hours and expanded access to free childcare, in hopes of reversing the trend.
Despite the sharp fall in the Japanese population, the number of foreign residents rose to a record 3.67 million, nearly 3% of the total population of 124.3 million. Many foreign nationals are filling vital roles in manufacturing, hospitality, and retail as Japan struggles with labor shortages caused by its rapidly aging society.
However, the rising number of foreign residents has stirred political tensions. A newly emerged opposition party, campaigning under the slogan “Japanese First,” has gained traction by spreading anti-immigrant rhetoric and making false claims that foreigners receive preferential welfare treatment.
The demographic shift is being felt acutely in rural areas, where depopulation has led to a surge in abandoned homes—now nearing four million. Many of these properties are inherited by urban dwellers who lack the means or desire to maintain them.
The aging population—almost 30% of Japanese nationals are now aged 65 or older—is putting increasing pressure on Japan’s healthcare and social security systems. Meanwhile, the working-age population (15–64) now makes up just 60% of the nation, further straining the country’s economic base.
In December 2024, Japan mourned the death of Tomiko Itooka, the world’s oldest person, at age 116. While Japanese women continue to enjoy some of the highest life expectancies globally, the imbalance between the elderly and the working population presents mounting fiscal and social challenges for the government.
As Japan faces an uncertain demographic future, policymakers are under growing pressure to implement bold reforms to sustain the country’s economic and social stability.
Written By Rodney Mbua
