Dramatic Decrease in Japan's Population in 2024
Japan's Population Crisis: A Quiet Emergency
Japan is currently grappling with a demographic crisis, as its population continues to shrink for the 16th consecutive year. In 2024, the country saw a population decline of 0.75%, with only 686,061 newborns recorded, marking the lowest number since records began in 1899 [1][3][5].
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has labelled this trend as a "quiet emergency," highlighting the challenges it poses to the country's economy and workforce [1]. The aging population, coupled with critically low birth rates, is at the heart of this crisis. Nearly 30% of Japanese citizens are aged 65 and older [2].
The reasons behind the falling birth rate are multifaceted. Economic pressures, such as a high cost of living and demanding work culture, make it difficult for families to afford children [2][3]. Japan's patriarchal society also impedes gender equality and work-life balance, discouraging women from having more children [3].
In response to the labor shortages caused by the declining population, countries with aging populations often rely on migrant labor. However, Japan has been reluctant to fully embrace immigration as a solution. Some political groups inaccurately blame immigrants for Japan’s economic difficulties, fuelling anti-immigration attitudes [4][5]. Despite an increasing number of foreign residents (around 3.7 million as of early 2025), these sentiments persist, partly due to cultural homogeneity and concerns about social cohesion [4].
Despite the challenges, the government is promoting family-friendly policies and discussing work-life balance improvements. However, reversing these deep demographic and social trends remains difficult [1][3][4].
In contrast, the population in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture has continued to grow. Tokyo is the most populous city in Japan with 14 million residents [6]. As of January 1, 2025, the number of foreign nationals in Japan was 3.67 million people [7].
The anti-immigration party in Japan saw a surge in support in last month's parliamentary election, reflecting the ongoing tension surrounding immigration in the country [8]. Japan has the second-oldest population among economically developed countries, after the tiny state of Monaco [6].
[1] The Japan Times, "Japan's population shrinks for 16th straight year," 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Why Japan's birth rate is plummeting," 2024. [3] BBC News, "Japan's declining population: A looming crisis," 2024. [4] Reuters, "Japan's anti-immigration party gains support in election," 2025. [5] The Economist, "Japan's demographic challenge," 2024. [6] World Population Review, "Japan Population 2025," 2025. [7] Ministry of Justice, Japan, "Foreign Residents in Japan," 2025. [8] The Asahi Shimbun, "Anti-immigration party sees surge in support in Japan's parliamentary election," 2025.
- The government is discussing work-life balance improvements and promoting family-friendly policies to counteract the challenges posed by Japan's demographic crisis, which is exacerbated by economic pressures and a demanding work culture.
- Despite the increasing number of foreign residents in Japan, political groups fuel anti-immigration attitudes, erroneously blaming immigrants for the country's economic difficulties, which hinders Japan's full embrace of migration as a solution to labor shortages caused by population decline.
- The media covers the ongoing tension regarding immigration in Japan, with highlights on the surge in support for the anti-immigration party and Japan's position as the second-oldest population among economically developed countries, trailing only behind Monaco.
