日本的人口問題持續惡化，根據《日本放送協會》（NHK）與其他多家日媒於2025年8月6日報導，日本總務省公布的最新統計數據顯示，截至2025年1月1日，不計居住在日本的外籍人口，日本本國人口僅剩約1億2,065萬人，這是日本連續第16年出現人口下滑，且創下歷來單年最大幅度的人口減少紀錄。

具體而言，單在2024年一年內，日本本國人口就減少超過90萬人，這是自1968年日本開始有相關統計以來，首次單年減少超過90萬人，跌幅之大可說是前所未有。這個數字也代表，短短16年間，日本已累計減少的人口數，相當於超過兩個大阪市的總人口，顯示出少子高齡化現象正急速加劇，對國家社會結構與經濟造成嚴重壓力。

若將在日本居住的外籍人士也一併計算，2025年初的日本總人口為約1億2,433萬人，較前一年減少約55萬人。儘管外籍人口略有增加，仍無法彌補本國人口大量流失的趨勢。

專家指出，人口下滑的主因在於出生人數持續減少與死亡人數不斷上升。日本的出生率長期低迷，加上醫療水準高齡化進程加快，死亡人數遠超出生人口，導致總人口持續萎縮。此外，年輕世代對結婚與生育的意願普遍偏低，加上經濟壓力與生活方式轉變，使得人口自然減少無法有效逆轉。

這波人口減少趨勢不僅對日本的勞動力市場造成衝擊，也對地方自治體帶來挑戰，尤其是鄉村地區人口加速流失，出現「消滅可能都市」的危機。而政府多年來雖提出包括鼓勵生育、提高育兒支援、放寬外籍勞工規定等多項政策，但目前成效仍有限。

日本社會正在面臨前所未有的人口危機，這不僅關乎經濟與社會的發展，也牽動到國家的未來存續與國際競爭力。未來如何逆轉少子化與人口減少趨勢，將成為日本政府最嚴峻的長期挑戰之一。

Japan’s population crisis continues to worsen, with the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on August 6, 2025, revealing a record-breaking population decline. According to reports from NHK and other Japanese media outlets, as of January 1, 2025, the number of Japanese nationals residing in Japan (excluding foreign residents) stood at approximately 120.65 million. This marks the 16th consecutive year of population decline and represents the largest single-year drop since statistics began in 1968.

In 2024 alone, Japan's native population shrank by over 900,000 people—an unprecedented figure in the country’s modern demographic history. To put this into perspective, over the past 16 years, Japan has lost a population equivalent to more than twice the number of residents in Osaka City. This sharp decrease underscores the accelerating pace of population aging and declining birthrates, which are placing increasing strain on Japan’s social and economic systems.

When including foreign residents, Japan’s total population as of January 1, 2025, was approximately 124.33 million—down about 550,000 from the previous year. Although the number of foreign residents has slightly increased, it is not enough to offset the steep decline in the native population.

Experts point out that the primary causes of the population drop are a persistently low birth rate and a rising number of deaths. Japan has long struggled with a low fertility rate, and as the population ages rapidly and medical care improves, the number of deaths continues to outpace births. Additionally, younger generations are increasingly reluctant to marry and have children, citing economic pressure and changing lifestyles, further accelerating natural population decline.

This trend not only impacts Japan’s labor market but also poses serious challenges to local governments, particularly in rural areas where depopulation is progressing rapidly. Some towns and cities are even facing the risk of disappearing altogether. Despite the Japanese government’s ongoing efforts over the years—including promoting childbirth, expanding childcare support, and easing immigration restrictions—results have so far been limited.

Japan is now confronting an unprecedented demographic crisis. The issue extends beyond economic and social implications, threatening the country’s future stability and international competitiveness. Reversing the trend of population decline and aging has become one of the most urgent and long-term challenges facing the Japanese government.