去年，日本的人口出現自1968年政府開始進行系統統計以來最大幅度的下降，死亡人數比出生人數多出近100萬，顯示出人口老齡化和低生育率的雙重壓力。根據總務省公佈的資料，2024年日本的總人口減少908,574人，其中出生人數僅為686,061人，為1899年有記錄以來的最低水準，而死亡人數接近160萬人。這意味著每出生一個嬰兒，就有超過兩個人死亡。日本人口已經連續16年呈下降趨勢，這一趨勢對社會保障體系尤其是養老金和醫療體系構成沉重壓力。

儘管日本政府多年來推行一系列鼓勵生育的政策，包括提供免費托兒服務、延長帶薪育兒假、提供住房補貼和推動靈活工作時間，但收效甚微。深層次的文化和經濟因素仍然限制著生育率的提升。高昂的生活成本、工資停滯以及工作文化的僵化，使得許多年輕人推遲或放棄組建家庭。女性作為家庭主要照顧者，面對職場和家庭的雙重壓力，獲得的支持仍然不足，這也在一定程度上抑制了生育意願。

根據世界銀行資料，截至2025年初，日本65歲及以上的老年人口占總人口的近30%，位居世界第二，僅次於摩納哥，而勞動年齡人口（15至64歲）已下降至約60%。老齡化人口的比例上升和年輕勞動力的減少，使得日本社會在經濟增長、醫療保障和社會服務等方面面臨前所未有的挑戰。儘管政府在政策上持續努力，但短期內要扭轉人口下降的趨勢仍然困難重重。

Last year, Japan experienced its largest population decline since the government began systematic statistics in 1968, with deaths exceeding births by nearly one million, highlighting the dual pressures of an aging population and persistently low birth rates. According to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan’s total population in 2024 decreased by 908,574. Births totaled only 686,061, the lowest since records began in 1899, while deaths approached 1.6 million. This means that for every baby born, more than two people died. Japan’s population has now declined for 16 consecutive years, placing immense strain on social security systems, particularly pensions and healthcare.

Despite decades of government policies aimed at encouraging childbirth—such as free childcare, extended paid parental leave, housing subsidies, and more flexible work arrangements—the results have been limited. Deep-rooted cultural and economic factors continue to suppress fertility. High living costs, stagnant wages, and rigid workplace norms have caused many young people to delay or forgo starting families. Women, as the primary caregivers in households, often face inadequate support for balancing work and family responsibilities, further limiting birth rates.

World Bank data indicate that as of early 2025, nearly 30% of Japan’s population is aged 65 and older, ranking second in the world only behind Monaco, while the working-age population (15–64) has fallen to around 60%. The rising proportion of elderly people combined with a shrinking workforce presents unprecedented challenges for Japan’s economy, healthcare system, and social services. Although the government continues to implement policies to address these issues, reversing the population decline in the short term remains extremely difficult.