Japan's Total Population Hits 123 Million, Decline Gap Widens Significantly
According to the preliminary results of the national census released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan's total population is 123,049,524, a decrease of approximately 3.1 million from 2020. Both the number and rate of decline are record highs, indicating an accelerating nationwide population contraction.
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- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 12:31
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According to central government reports, the preliminary figures released today by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications show that the total population, including foreign residents, stood at 123,049,524 as of October 1 last year. This represents a decrease of 3,096,575 compared to the previous 2020 survey, marking record highs in both the number and rate of decline.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, the Japanese government has conducted a national census every five years since 1920, with population being a key metric. The Ministry will release the final figures in September this year.
Last year's preliminary census data shows that the total population has declined for the third consecutive time, following 2015 and 2020. The decline rate compared to 2020 is 2.5%, a significant expansion from the 0.7% decline (948,646 people) seen in the previous survey.
In this survey, only Tokyo and Okinawa Prefecture saw population growth, while the other 45 prefectures experienced declines. Prefectures that had previously seen consistent inflows, such as Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba in the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as Aichi and Fukuoka, have now shifted to population decline. This indicates that the wave of population decline has clearly reached Japan's major cities.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications explained that the primary cause is the acceleration of natural population decline due to the low birth rate. Additionally, the previous survey took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Japanese citizens living abroad returned home temporarily, which influenced the statistical data.
The 2020 survey showed population growth in eight areas, including Tokyo and its surrounding satellite cities, as well as Aichi, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. However, in this survey, two of those areas have shifted to decline. Notably, this is the first time since statistics began that Saitama, Chiba, and Aichi have seen population declines. For Kanagawa, it is the first decline since the 1945 survey following the end of World War II.
Furthermore, Osaka Prefecture in the Kansai region, which saw a decline of less than 0.1% in the previous census, experienced a 0.8% decline this time, falling below 8.8 million for the first time in 30 years.
In last year's survey, Akita Prefecture saw the largest decline at 8.1%. Regions with a decline rate exceeding 5% were particularly prominent in the Tohoku, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, with Aomori declining by 7.9%, and Iwate, Yamagata, and Kochi each declining by 7%.
In terms of the number of people, Hokkaido saw the largest decrease at 239,195, followed by Shizuoka with 164,357, and Hyogo with 141,177.
The preliminary figures released today also show that single-person households reached a record high of 57,124,507, an increase of 2.3% from the previous survey.
Japan ranked 11th in the world in total population during the 2020 census, but has now fallen to 12th, surpassed by Ethiopia with 135 million people.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, the Japanese government has conducted a national census every five years since 1920, with population being a key metric. The Ministry will release the final figures in September this year.
Last year's preliminary census data shows that the total population has declined for the third consecutive time, following 2015 and 2020. The decline rate compared to 2020 is 2.5%, a significant expansion from the 0.7% decline (948,646 people) seen in the previous survey.
In this survey, only Tokyo and Okinawa Prefecture saw population growth, while the other 45 prefectures experienced declines. Prefectures that had previously seen consistent inflows, such as Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba in the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as Aichi and Fukuoka, have now shifted to population decline. This indicates that the wave of population decline has clearly reached Japan's major cities.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications explained that the primary cause is the acceleration of natural population decline due to the low birth rate. Additionally, the previous survey took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Japanese citizens living abroad returned home temporarily, which influenced the statistical data.
The 2020 survey showed population growth in eight areas, including Tokyo and its surrounding satellite cities, as well as Aichi, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. However, in this survey, two of those areas have shifted to decline. Notably, this is the first time since statistics began that Saitama, Chiba, and Aichi have seen population declines. For Kanagawa, it is the first decline since the 1945 survey following the end of World War II.
Furthermore, Osaka Prefecture in the Kansai region, which saw a decline of less than 0.1% in the previous census, experienced a 0.8% decline this time, falling below 8.8 million for the first time in 30 years.
In last year's survey, Akita Prefecture saw the largest decline at 8.1%. Regions with a decline rate exceeding 5% were particularly prominent in the Tohoku, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, with Aomori declining by 7.9%, and Iwate, Yamagata, and Kochi each declining by 7%.
In terms of the number of people, Hokkaido saw the largest decrease at 239,195, followed by Shizuoka with 164,357, and Hyogo with 141,177.
The preliminary figures released today also show that single-person households reached a record high of 57,124,507, an increase of 2.3% from the previous survey.
Japan ranked 11th in the world in total population during the 2020 census, but has now fallen to 12th, surpassed by Ethiopia with 135 million people.
FAQ
How severe is Japan's population decline?
It has reached a record high, with declines now visible even in major metropolitan areas, indicating a nationwide contraction.