00:04Japan is facing a demographic crisis unlike anything it has seen before.
00:09For the first time in 42 years, the number of Japanese nationals has fallen below the 120 million mark,
00:17a historic decline that highlights the country's deepening population challenges.
00:21According to data released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications,
00:26the number of Japanese citizens stood at 119.73 million as of January 1st this year.
00:33That represents a drop of nearly 9.17 lakh people compared to the previous year,
00:38the largest annual decline since records began in 1968.
00:43The fall comes as Japan continues to struggle with one of the world's lowest birth rates,
00:48an aging population, and a shrinking workforce.
00:51The country has been trying for years to encourage more births through various government initiatives,
00:57financial support schemes, and child care policies.
01:00But despite these efforts, Japan recorded its lowest ever number of births.
01:05Only around 6.7 lakh babies were born, while the number of deaths reached approximately 15.9 lakh.
01:12That means Japan recorded more than twice as many deaths as births,
01:17accelerating the country's population decline.
01:19But while the number of Japanese nationals is shrinking, another trend is emerging.
01:25The number of foreign residents in Japan has been steadily increasing.
01:29The country recorded a record 40.3 lakh foreign residents,
01:33an increase of around 3.54 lakh people in just one year.
01:38This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth in Japan's foreign resident population.
01:43As companies across Japan struggle with labor shortages,
01:46the government has gradually opened more opportunities for foreign workers to enter the country.
01:52A large majority of these foreign residents are of working age.
01:56Around 86% of foreign residents fall within the working age category,
02:01helping industries that are facing shortages of employees.
02:04Several regions have seen a sharp rise in foreign residents.
02:09Hokkaido recorded the biggest increase at nearly 15%,
02:12followed by Okinawa at over 14% and Oita at nearly 14%.
02:17However, Japan's population decline is not uniform across the country.
02:23Among all 47 prefectures, only Tokyo saw an increase in the number of Japanese nationals,
02:29though the rise was marginal at just 0.09%.
02:32When foreign residents are included,
02:35Japan's total population stood at around 123.7 million.
02:40But even that figure declined by nearly 5.6 lakh people compared to the previous year.
02:46Only three prefectures, Tokyo, Chiba, and Osaka, recorded population growth.
02:51Japan's shrinking population is creating major challenges for the world's fourth largest economy.
02:57A smaller workforce means greater pressure on industries, healthcare systems, and social security programs.
03:04The country is now relying increasingly on technology, automation, and foreign workers to fill the gaps created by demographic changes.
03:13But experts warn that increasing immigration alone may not solve Japan's long-term population problem.
03:19With fewer children being born every year and an aging society expanding rapidly,
03:25Japan's demographic challenge is expected to continue for decades.
03:29The latest numbers serve as another warning sign.
03:32Japan is entering a new era where maintaining economic growth with a shrinking population will be one of its biggest
03:38challenges.
03:38Peter Kraginski
03:40Heisman
03:45Bush
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