TL;DR Japan’s population declined for the 16th consecutive year, reaching a record low of 120,653,227 in 2024. The decline was driven by a record low birth rate and a record high death rate, with the largest decreases occurring in rural prefectures. Foreign resident numbers rose to a record 3,677,463, primarily filling labor shortages.
by SkyInJapan
33 comments
Declining population will mitigate the problems from transitioning to an AI and robotics economy.
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Don’t worry, no one is doing anything about it right now
I know how touchy immigration is right now, but even being part Japanese, it’s hard to get in, and this could help the population decline.
I’m having a hard time getting a long term ancestry visa. The amount of paperwork you need is insanely high, and paying for Japanese classes so I can communicate is expensive.
I also have to be okay with giving up my US citizenship if I want to become a Japanese citizen (which I personally am okay with, but I know that might deter others from wanting to move to Japan)
I have a lot of proposed solutions in my head that I think could help Japan on increasing the population by getting Japanese people coming back around the world, but I think I’d be typing into the void.
Have they thought about maybe driving out the immigrant population to increase the total population?
If they wanted to help with the population issues maybe having anyone of Japanese descent from any other country have automatic Japanese citizenship would help tremendously. This is what Israel does with its right of return law.
It was 80ml in 1950. They will be fine.
At some point the survival instincts of life will kick in and all will be good again.
Every other post about japan is record this or record that.
Because of population increased drastically before.
Over 600.000 baby born in japan per year which is more than enough.
They just need to wait for all 70+ ossan an babas death then everything will be fine.
16th year of thoughts and prayers.
That will hit the social insurance system so hard, they have no idea what is about to happen. Don’t want immigrants but also don’t want babies. Pathetic.
A lot of people seem to not understand the implications of this. It’s not just about “good we need less people anyways”
Our entire modern society basically revolves around having a sufficient amount of working aged individuals, who are also paying into the same social safety nets that are keeping older folks alive.
Our system also revolves around this idea that there will always be growth, it hurts to say, but when the numbers stop going up things like retirement start being a thing of the past.
Population structure already fucked, nothing but mass migration could save them at this point
They should make life more affordable there but noooo the “Japanese” first party doesn’t see it that way
They can bet on AI development to support the elderly.
Or they need to accept more immigrants.
Have they thought about getting rid of the foreigners because they cause a lot of trouble?
(Sarcasm)
Somehow they’ll blame the Gaijins
The olds are dying and their grandkids can’t afford to have kids.
What could go wrong?
Stop immigration (brown people) is the #1 issue in Japan though
Must be all the melonpan causing this.
looking at how things are going Japan accepting enough amount of immigrants to mitigate the population decline seems virtually impossible. and trynna increase native japanese ppl aint gonna work either, billions of yen already wasted and no progress at all. japan owakon fr
Nobody can afford anything no matter how much you earn is pretty much the common status right now
Don’t worry, the Japanese don’t.
As an American, I have considered moving abroad to Japan but I pulled away from that idea when reality set in. Culture, work, ability to make friends, learning a new language, and there a few laws that discourage foreigners from moving there.
Props to anyone who moves abroad.
Are they trying to do something about it? Cause it seems pretty important. They must be right? Does anyone know what they are doing?
Japan will be fine.
plaza accord rekt them so hard
Boomers rule the world like cancer.
American here, your going to need immigrants however strategic immigration, every person you let into the country need to fill a certain demand and have somewhat similar ideals and be a net positive to the country. The issue with the majority of Immigration right now is that it’s a net negative on the country.
There’s gonna be a fuckload of Hapas in the next 20-30 years
Maybe more unpaid work will fix this?
Whilst income is a factor for some people, I know quite a few couples, who could easily afford children, both here in Japan and in the UK, and the reason they give for not having children, is that they dont want their lifestyle to change.
I think this is a much bigger factor for the decline than most people realise. Our brains are constantly being pumped images of exotic holidays, beautiful modern homes, fun times in the bar with friends, romantic dinners, football with the lads, the latest whatever, etc. etc. and people know if they have kids their chances of having/doing these things will be gone.