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Japan's Population Crisis: Over 3.1 Million Decline in 5 Years

Japan's Population Crisis: Over 3.1 Million Decline in 5 Years

Thairath•International•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Japan's population has drastically declined by over 3.1 million in five years, pushing the nation into a severe demographic crisis marked by an aging society and low birth rates.

  • •Japan's population has decreased by 3.1 million people in the past five years, reaching 123,049,524 as of October 1, 2025.
  • •This marks the most severe population decline since 1920, exacerbated by an aging society and low birth rates.
  • •Over 30% of Japan's population is now concentrated in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, highlighting regional demographic imbalances.
  • •Despite government incentives for marriage and childbirth, these measures have had limited success in reversing the trend.

Overview

  • •As of October 1, 2025, Japan's total population was recorded at 123,049,524 people.
  • •Japan's population has decreased by 2.5%, or more than 3.1 million individuals, compared to the previous survey in 2020.
  • •The current population decline is the third consecutive decrease and the most severe since census-taking began in 1920.
  • •The significant population decrease is attributed to a severe aging society and an widening 'natural decrease' due to deaths exceeding births.
  • •In 2025, the number of newborn babies in Japan decreased for the 10th consecutive year, with only 705,809 births recorded.
  • •Government spokesperson Minoru Kiharu stated that the data confirms the country's shrinking population is entering a critical and deepening state.
  • •30.1% of Japan's population is concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan and surrounding areas for the first time in history.
  • •Japan is the 12th most populous country globally, representing 1.5% of the world's population, but is experiencing the most rapid and severe population decline among major nations.

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Key Quotes

Minoru Kiharu
"This data confirms once again that our country's shrinking population is entering a critical and deepening state."
ข้อมูลชุดนี้ช่วยยืนยันอีกครั้งว่า สถานการณ์ประชากรหดตัวในประเทศของเรากำลังเข้าสู่ภาวะที่วิกฤตและดิ่งลึกยิ่งขึ้น

Key Entities

Place

Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
The country facing a severe population crisis with a significant decline in its populace.
Tokyo(กรุงโตเกียว)ℹ️
The capital city of Japan where over 30.1% of the population is now concentrated.
China(จีน)ℹ️
A country mentioned as having a declining population trend among the top 20 most populous in the world.
Russia(รัสเซีย)ℹ️
A country mentioned as having a declining population trend among the top 20 most populous in the world.
Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️
A country mentioned as having a declining population trend among the top 20 most populous in the world.

Organization

Japanese Government(รัฐบาลญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
The governing body of Japan releasing recent census data and facing demographic challenges.
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications(กระทรวงกิจการภายในประเทศและการสื่อสารของญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
The ministry that released the preliminary results of the 2025 population census.
United Nations(องค์การสหประชาชาติ)ℹ️
The organization whose world population estimates were referenced in the article.
KYODO NEWS / AFP
The news agencies that provided the source for this article.

Person

Minoru Kiharu(นายมิโนรุ คิฮาระ)
Government spokesperson for Japan who commented on the critical population situation.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi(นายกรัฐมนตรี ซานาเอะ ทาคาอิจิ)
The current Prime Minister of Japan who is pushing for stricter controls on foreign immigration.