The number of babies born in Japan fell for a ninth consecutive year to hit a record low 720,988 in 2024, the health ministry said on Thursday, the latest data underscoring the rapid shrinkage and ageing of the country's population.
Births declined 5% from a year earlier, while the number of deaths hit a record high of 1.62 million, meaning more than two people died for every new baby born.
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U.S. Tariffs
Japan’s top trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa is set to visit the U.S. for a second round of tariff talks next week, as Tokyo presses Washington to reconsider duties on cars and steel amid firm resistance from the Trump administration.
16:45
China
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged Japan to join forces with Beijing in countering U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures, highlighting growing concern over Washington's protectionist policies.
12:45
Japan
Japan is contemplating offering concessions in the form of increased soybean and rice imports as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, according to a report by the Yomiuri daily on Saturday.
20:30
Japan
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato strongly denied accusations that Japan manipulates its currency to weaken the yen, ahead of a highly anticipated meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week. Kato addressed the issue in the Japanese parliament on Friday, reaffirming that Jap
21:30
US-Japan trade dispute
U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to influence the yen's exchange rate in the ongoing trade negotiations with Japan is likely to create challenges for both nations, analysts warned.
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