Tokyo, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The population of Japanese nationals has dropped below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, underscoring the country’s deepening demographic challenges despite sustained government efforts to reverse the trend.
According to data released on Wednesday by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of Japanese nationals stood at 119,736,483 as of January 1, 2026, a decline of 917,000 from the previous year. The annual decrease is the largest since comparable records began in 1968.
Among Japan’s 47 prefectures, Tokyo was the only one to register an increase in the number of Japanese nationals, recording marginal growth of 0.09 per cent.
In contrast, the number of foreign residents continued to rise, increasing by 354,000 to a record 4,031,159, the highest level since the government began maintaining such data in 2013.
Including foreign residents, Japan’s total population stood at 123,767,642, down by approximately 563,000 from a year earlier. Population growth was recorded only in Tokyo, Chiba and Osaka prefectures.
The latest figures come amid mounting concerns over Japan’s shrinking and ageing population. Earlier this year, government data showed that the country’s child population, including foreign residents, fell to an estimated 13.29 million as of April 1, marking the 45th consecutive annual decline. Children under the age of 15 now account for 10.8 per cent of Japan’s total population, the lowest proportion since comparable records began in 1950.
Despite introducing measures such as expanded financial support for families raising children, Japan has struggled to reverse its declining birthrate. The government has designated the period leading up to 2030 as a critical window to address the demographic crisis and encourage population growth.
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