Record Drop in Japanese Nationals as Foreign Residents Reach All-Time High

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As of January 1, 2025, the total population of Japan was 124.33 million, a decrease of 550,000 people compared to the same date in 2024. The data is based on the Basic Resident Register and was released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on August 6. The report also shows that the number of Japanese nationals fell by 910,000 to 120.65 million, marking the largest annual decline since the census began in 1968.

Meanwhile, the foreign resident population grew by 350,000 to 3.68 million, the biggest increase since the survey started in 2013 and the highest number recorded to date.

Population Drop and Concentration

The decline in Japanese nationals was mainly due to a natural decrease, with births hitting a record low of 690,000 while deaths reached a record high of 1.6 million. Meanwhile, the increase in foreign residents was driven by a record high of 660,000 immigrants from overseas and a natural increase of over 10,000, also a record high.

The combined population of Japan's three major metropolitan areas — Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kansai — reached 66.01 million, making up over half of the country's total population for the 13th year in a row. Meanwhile, the average household size continued to shrink to 2.03 people, even as the total number of households nationwide grew by 510,000.

The highest population growth rate among municipalities was in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, where the urban population grew by 74.85%. In rural areas, Aguni Village in Okinawa Prefecture saw its population increase by 6.4 times.

*Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo.*

Foreign Resident Distribution

Among prefectures, Tokyo had the largest foreign population at 720,000, making up 5.15% of its total 14 million residents, the highest proportion in the country. All 47 prefectures saw increases in foreign residents, with Hokkaido recording the fastest growth rate at 19.57%.

By municipality, Osaka City saw the largest increase of 20,000 foreign residents. In rural areas, Kutchan Town in Hokkaido saw an increase of 833.

A ministry official noted, "While the rise in foreign residents has mostly been in urban areas, it is now expanding to resort regions in Hokkaido and Okinawa."