Japan’s population has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, marking another milestone in the country’s long-running demographic decline. According to government data, the population stood at 119.98 million as of January 1, 2026, continuing a steady downward trend caused by declining birth rates and an aging society.
The number of births has remained at record lows, while deaths continue to outnumber births by a wide margin. Japan has struggled for years to reverse the trend despite introducing measures such as childcare support, financial incentives and policies aimed at encouraging families to have more children.
The shrinking population has raised concerns over labour shortages, slower economic growth, rising social security costs and the long-term sustainability of the country’s workforce. Experts warn that without significant demographic and immigration reforms, Japan’s population decline is expected to continue in the coming decades.
