Number of Japanese nationals drops by a record 898,000: government estimate

Figure for October 2024 down from same month the year before

Japan's total population, including foreign residents, had fallen to 123.8 million as of Oct. 1, declining for the 14th consecutive year. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)

April 14, 2025 17:30 JST

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The population of Japanese nationals stood at 120.3 million as of October 2024, down a record 898,000 from a year earlier, a government estimate showed Monday, amid the graying of society and a declining birthrate.

The total population in Japan, including foreign residents, also fell 550,000 to 123.8 million as of Oct. 1 last year, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.