Overview

• Japan's citizen population fell to 120.3 million as of October 2024, marking a record annual decline of 898,000 people, according to official data.
• Including foreign nationals, the overall population declined by 550,000, bringing the total to 123.8 million, the 14th consecutive annual drop.
• Only Tokyo and Saitama prefectures experienced population growth, while all other 45 prefectures saw declines, with Akita suffering the steepest losses.
• The Japanese government continues to implement measures such as wage increases for young workers and expanded childcare support to address the low birthrate.
• Despite labor shortages, Japan maintains strict immigration policies, limiting foreign workers to temporary roles while seeking long-term solutions to its demographic crisis.