The Japanese government has released statistics indicating that the country’s population has shrunk by nearly 900,000 people in the year leading up to October 1. This decline is a significant concern as Japan’s fertility rate is far below the 2.1 needed to sustain a population. For nine consecutive years, the number of births in Japan has been hitting record lows despite government efforts to promote childbirth through pro-natal policies and generous parental leave. Additionally, the country’s marriage rates are declining, and the proportion of elderly citizens is rising, with nearly 30 percent of the population now being 65 or older.
The latest data shows that Japan’s population now stands at 120.3 million, a decrease of 898,000 from the previous year. When including foreigners, the total population is 123.8 million, down by 550,000 year on year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of decline and the most significant drop since records began in the 1950s. The working-age population, between 15 and 64, has also decreased by 224,000 to 73.73 million, accounting for 59.6 percent of the total population. Former Health Minister Keizo Takemi has raised concerns about Japan’s demographic outlook, calling it critical and warning that the country has until the 2030s to reverse course.
Japan is not the only country facing demographic challenges; nearby China, South Korea, and Taiwan are also struggling to encourage childbirth amidst demanding work cultures, rising living costs, and evolving attitudes towards marriage and family. Demographer and professor Ryuichi Kaneko believes that Japan’s declining birthrate has become severe due to the postwar emphasis on economic activity and the devaluation of care-related work such as housework, childcare, and elder care. These responsibilities have been disproportionately placed on women, leading to a gendered division of labor that impacts population growth.
To address the demographic crisis, Japan has implemented various measures, including a $25 billion package to expand child allowances, improve childcare, and increase education support over the next three years. The country has also relaxed its strict immigration rules to fill labor gaps in key sectors like elder care and manufacturing. The reforms aim to triple the foreign workforce by 2040, allowing more workers to stay longer and bring their families. Despite these efforts, reversing the declining population trend remains a significant challenge for Japan and other countries in the region. It will require addressing systemic issues related to work culture, gender roles, and family support in order to encourage childbirth and sustain the population in the long term.
