The Japanese government has voiced serious concerns about the nation’s declining population and the shrinking of agricultural land, identifying these as significant hurdles. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking at the TICAD9 conference, highlighted Japan’s record-breaking annual population decline and the loss of arable land due to factors like rural depopulation and aging farmers. In contrast to the growing populations in African nations, Ishiba appealed to African countries to support Japan as it grapples with these issues, emphasizing the importance of fostering manufacturing industries to harness the potential of Africa’s youth. Ishiba noted that Japan’s population could halve in the next 75 years, highlighting the severity of the situation.
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Japan’s population experienced a significant decline in 2024, with almost a million more deaths than births, marking the steepest annual drop since 1968. Births reached a record low of 686,061, while the overall population decreased by 0.44%, primarily impacting the pension and healthcare systems. Despite government efforts to boost birth rates through various incentives and embracing foreign labor, deep-seated cultural and economic challenges, such as high living costs and stagnant wages, continue to hinder progress. With a rapidly aging population and a shrinking workforce, Japan faces a demographic crisis that will require long-term solutions.
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In 2024, Japan experienced a record decline in its national population, exceeding 900,000, due to persistently low birth rates. This marks the largest drop since 1968, with the number of newborns falling below 700,000 for the first time, further exacerbating the aging population. While the overall population decline was 0.44%, the number of foreign residents reached a record high, although some anti-immigrant sentiment exists. The shrinking population is also evident in rural areas, contributing to a rise in abandoned homes.
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In 2024, Japan recorded its lowest annual birth total ever, with 686,061 births—a 5.7 percent decrease from the previous year. This decline, coupled with a record-low total fertility rate of 1.15, marks nine consecutive years of decreasing birthrates and surpasses government projections by 15 years. While marriages increased slightly, the record high of 1,605,298 deaths resulted in a record natural decrease of 919,237. These figures highlight a significant and accelerating demographic challenge for Japan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker