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.
Read next
09:54
South Korea, China, and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, aiming to strengthen regional trade cooperation amid growing concerns over U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.
07:18
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized Japan’s critical role in deterring Chinese aggression during a meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on Sunday
11:47
Auto Tariffs
Japan vows to take decisive action as the U.S. imposes a 25% tariff on automobile imports. With autos making up 28.3% of Japan’s exports to the U.S., the move could hit its economy hard. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says Tokyo is considering "all options" in response.
13:00
Japan
Japan has lodged an official protest with China over a statement that it claims misquoted Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s comments during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. Japan’s top government spokesperson confirmed the protest on Monday.
18:39
The top diplomats from Japan, China and South Korea met in Tokyo on Saturday, seeking common ground on East Asian security and economic issues amid escalating global uncertainty.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment