The Blubber

In a significant demographic shift, Japan has reported its most substantial annual population decline since 1968, signaling a pivotal moment in the nation's demographic landscape. The decrease in population is attributed to declining birth rates alongside a noteworthy increase in the foreign population.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications revealed that the country's population contracted by 800,523 individuals in 2022, reaching a total of 122,423,038. Remarkably, this decline was observed across all 47 of Japan's prefectures, marking the first time such a phenomenon has occurred.

This population decline is no longer confined to rural areas; it has now reached urban centers as well, highlighting the widespread nature of the challenge. Kentaro Fujimoto, a professor at the University of Shizuoka, emphasized the gravity of the situation.

The dwindling number of Japanese nationals has persisted for the 14th consecutive year, with an all-time low of 772,000 births in contrast to a record high of 1.57 million deaths.

Simultaneously, the foreign national population experienced growth for the first time in three years, reaching an unprecedented peak of 2,993,839 individuals.

Japan's progressively shrinking population has already yielded significant social and economic consequences. It has led to the closure of schools nationwide and a critical predicament for over 1.2 million small businesses, which lack a succession plan as aging owners surpass 70 years of age.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Japan's government, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has adopted more robust measures to address the population decline. Beginning in January, the government introduced a scheme offering families $7,500 per child to relocate from Tokyo to smaller towns and villages, aiming to rejuvenate birth rates in these areas. As Japan grapples with these demographic challenges, the nation's evolving population dynamics continue to shape its social fabric and future trajectory.