- Japan'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.
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