Japan's Japanese population drops below 120 million

Japan's population of Japanese nationals has fallen below 120 million for the first time in over four decades, according to government data released on July 29, 2026. The figures reveal the steepest annual decline on record, underscoring the persistent demographic crisis driven by a record-low birth rate and an aging society.

As of January 1, 2026, the number of Japanese residents stood at 119.74 million, a drop of approximately 917,000, or 0.76 percent, from the previous year. This marks the 17th consecutive year of decline since the population peaked in 2009. The natural population decline, calculated as deaths minus births, reached a record 923,008 for 2025, with only about 670,000 births recorded against roughly 1.59 million deaths.

Including foreign residents, Japan's total population was 123.8 million, a decrease of about 563,000. However, the foreign resident population grew to a record 4.03 million, an increase of over 353,000 since the government began tracking this data in 2013. Officials noted this rise reflects policy expansions to admit more foreign workers, with working-age adults comprising over 86 percent of that group, aimed at easing severe labor shortages.