On 29/5, the Japanese government released data from its 2025 census, revealing the demographic size, including foreign residents, currently stands at 123,049,524 people. This 2,5% decline marks the third consecutive five-year census period in which the nation has recorded a shrinking population.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications attributed the core reasons for this decline to deep-seated aging and a natural growth imbalance. Statistical data up to last October also indicated that the proportion of residents concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area reached 30,1% for the first time. Administratively, only Tokyo and Okinawa maintained growth, at 1,4% and 0,1% respectively, while the remaining 45 prefectures, including suburban areas like Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa, experienced declines.

People walk through an intersection in Shibuya district, Tokyo. Photo: AP

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara noted the accelerating pace of population decline. He affirmed that the government will comprehensively promote measures to sustain the economy and preserve local communities. He also emphasized the urgent need to decentralize the population and relocate businesses to other prefectures to alleviate overcrowding in Tokyo.

According to United Nations estimates for 2025, Japan currently ranks 12th globally in population size, accounting for 1,5% of the world's total. Among the 20 most populous countries, Japan has the fastest rate of population shrinkage, surpassing Trung Quoc, Russia, and Thailand in its downward trend during the 2020-2025 period.

Binh Minh (According to Nikkei Asia, Japan Today)