Japan, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, is facing an unprecedented demographic crisis. In 2022, the country’s population experienced a historic decline in all 47 prefectures, coupled with a surge in the number of foreign residents, reaching nearly three million people.
Population Decline and Foreign Residents
In 2022, Japan witnessed a decline in its population of Japanese nationals by approximately 800,000 individuals, amounting to 0.65% of the total population. This brought the nation’s total population to 122.4 million, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline. Concurrently, the number of foreign residents reached a record high of nearly three million people, indicating a significant demographic shift.
Ineffectiveness of National Policies
Japan’s Prime Minister acknowledged the severity of the demographic crisis and pledged to address the situation. Despite this acknowledgement, national policies aimed at curbing population decline have proven ineffective thus far. Even though some small towns have seen positive impacts from their efforts, the overall decline continues.
Alarming Birth and Death Rates
In 2022, Japan faced a record high of over 1.56 million deaths, while the number of newborns fell below 800,000 for the first time since records began. This decline in birth rates, coupled with an aging population, is significantly impacting various aspects of Japanese society.
Effects on Society: Depopulated Areas, Closing Schools, and Aging Businesses
More than half of all municipalities in Japan are now designated as depopulated areas. As the population dwindles, schools are forced to close due to a lack of students. Additionally, about 1.2 million small businesses in Japan have aging owners with no successors, posing potential economic challenges.
Government Initiatives to Tackle the Birthrate Issue
To address the declining birthrate, Japan launched the Children and Families Agency, which aims to tackle issues related to the birthrate and provide support to families. The government also pledged to increase spending on childcare and allowances to 4% of GDP. However, past subsidies have shown limited impact on boosting birth rates.
Boosting Births
Around 300 small towns in Japan have implemented generous incentives and policies to create more child-friendly environments, successfully boosting births. For instance, Nagi in Okayama prefecture witnessed a rise in birth rates through effective measures. Nonetheless, even successful cases like Nagi have seen a slight dip in birth rates in recent years, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
Global Concern: Falling Fertility Rates Worldwide
Japan is not alone in facing declining birth rates; many wealthy nations, particularly in East Asia, are grappling with the same challenge. The average fertility rate among OECD countries stands at 1.66, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 required to maintain population levels. This phenomenon makes Japan’s demographic crisis a global concern.
The Societal Functions at Stake
Japan’s Prime Minister emphasized the critical nature of addressing the birthrate issue, warning that the nation’s societal functions are at risk. The demographic crisis in Japan carries far-reaching implications that extend beyond national borders, warranting global attention and collaboration.
