Japan’s population fell by a record 898,000 people in the past year, marking the largest annual decline in the country’s history and intensifying concerns over its rapidly aging society and shrinking birthrate.
Japan’s population has experienced its steepest annual decline on record, shrinking by 898,000 people as of October 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News, citing government estimates.
This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline in the country. The previous record drop of 861,000 was reported in July 2024. Japan’s total population, including foreign residents, now stands at approximately 120.3 million, highlighting the country’s deepening demographic challenges driven by a low birthrate and an aging population.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that only Tokyo and the neighboring Saitama prefecture recorded population increases. The current figures represent the largest demographic drop since comparable data collection began in 1968.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Japan’s parliament passed legislation in June 2024 aimed at boosting the birthrate. The law includes measures such as increased child allowances and improved parental leave policies.
Officials have emphasized that the years leading up to 2030 are crucial for reversing the trend. Commonly cited causes include delayed marriage, economic insecurity, and insufficient support for working parents.
Japan’s total fertility rate—the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime—fell to a record low in 2023, the lowest since tracking began in 1947.
Greece’s shipping minister warns that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel would have serious global economic consequences.
South Korea on Friday pushed back against U.S. demands to sharply increase its defense budget, saying its current spending is already among the highest relative to GDP for U.S. allies.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is unlikely to push Israel to end its airstrikes on Iran, calling it “very hard” to make that request while Israel is gaining ground militarily.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will continue to defend itself unless Israeli strikes stop, following high-level talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, and the European Union’s top diplomat.
Tajikistan and China have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, following high-level talks between President Emomali Rahmon and President Xi Jinping in Astana earlier this week.
Greece’s shipping minister warns that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel would have serious global economic consequences.
South Korea on Friday pushed back against U.S. demands to sharply increase its defense budget, saying its current spending is already among the highest relative to GDP for U.S. allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly pushed back against his Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, on Friday, asserting that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, directly contradicting intelligence assessments she shared earlier this year.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is unlikely to push Israel to end its airstrikes on Iran, calling it “very hard” to make that request while Israel is gaining ground militarily.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will continue to defend itself unless Israeli strikes stop, following high-level talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, and the European Union’s top diplomat.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Greece’s shipping minister warns that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel would have serious global economic consequences.
South Korea on Friday pushed back against U.S. demands to sharply increase its defense budget, saying its current spending is already among the highest relative to GDP for U.S. allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly pushed back against his Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, on Friday, asserting that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, directly contradicting intelligence assessments she shared earlier this year.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is unlikely to push Israel to end its airstrikes on Iran, calling it “very hard” to make that request while Israel is gaining ground militarily.
Tajikistan and China have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, following high-level talks between President Emomali Rahmon and President Xi Jinping in Astana earlier this week.
Greece’s shipping minister warns that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel would have serious global economic consequences.
South Korea on Friday pushed back against U.S. demands to sharply increase its defense budget, saying its current spending is already among the highest relative to GDP for U.S. allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly pushed back against his Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, on Friday, asserting that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, directly contradicting intelligence assessments she shared earlier this year.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is unlikely to push Israel to end its airstrikes on Iran, calling it “very hard” to make that request while Israel is gaining ground militarily.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will continue to defend itself unless Israeli strikes stop, following high-level talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, and the European Union’s top diplomat.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment