Japan's population experienced a record drop of 900,000 in 2024, marking the 16th consecutive year of decline. The shrinking population, now at 124.3 million, includes a significant elderly demographic (30% aged 65+). Prime Minister Ishiba termed this a "quiet emergency," while an anti-immigration party gains traction, wrongly blaming foreigners for economic woes. Despite the overall decline, the number of foreign nationals in Japan reached a record high of 3.67 million.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.