Japan's population shrank for the 15th year in a row as the country continues to grapple with a chronically low birth rate, an annual report released Wednesday by the ministry of internal affairs shows.
The number of Japanese residents fell by 861,000 (0.7%) from a year before — marking its steepest decline ever — to 121,561,801. However, the number of foreign residents rose by 329,535 (11.01%) from last year to 3,323,374, hitting a record high since the ministry began collecting related data in 2013. It was also the second consecutive year in which the number of foreign residents had increased in the country.
Since peaking in 2009, Japan's population has been in constant decline. The number of deaths in the country was the highest since the ministry began collecting related data in 1979 while the number of newborns hit a new low.
The report's data on migration showed that for two straight years, Japan has experienced a net outflow of 7,000 to 10,000 people each year, which is greater than the number of returnees. Among foreign residents however, more people have moved into Japan than out for two straight years.
By prefecture, Tokyo's population saw a slight increase of 3,900 (0.03%) while every other prefecture experienced a decline.
Among cities and wards nationwide, Tokyo’s Taito Ward — where the popular Asakusa district is located — experienced the greatest population increase since last year, at 1.28%.
In contrast, Akita Prefecture saw the greatest drop in population — a 1.83% decrease — since last year. Aomori and Iwate also experienced big population declines.
Population density remains strong in areas with big cities, with over half of the overall population residing in the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka.
Since 2014, the government has been trying to address the issue of Tokyo's overconcentration by offering incentives for people to relocate elsewhere.
However, if Japan's overall low birth rate trend continues, many cities may be at risk of extinction, one study from last year warned, suggesting that over 40% of municipalities may vanish by 2050.
JT