Japan's population growth in 2010 was its slowest on record, according to the results of a national census, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Thursday.
The census showed that Japan's total population stood at 128,057,352 as of Oct 1, 2010 – a drop of .3% (or 371,000 people when non-Japanese are excluded), marking the lowest decline since the census started in 1920, the ministry said on its website. The national census is held every five years.
The census did not include foreign residents whose numbers increased by about 5.9% (or 93,000), the ministry said. The census began distinguishing between Japanese natives and non-Japanese in 1970. If foreigners are included, the total population shows a rise of about .2%, the ministry said.
The country's population continues to age, the census shows, with about 23% of the population aged 65 or over.
© Japan Today
11 Comments
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some14some
so japan has lost overseas market now losing domestic market as well....and govt is always upbeat on economic outlook !
Scrote
If the Japanese population dropped by 371000 and the foreign population increased by 93000, surely the total population also dropped?
ihavegreatlegs
Scrote, you must learn Japanese math! :-)
techall
I'm guessing they are not counting the years 1942 through 1945 where the Japanese population took one hell of a drop.
Piglet
Why separating Japanese nationals from non-Japanese nationals? It doesn't make any sense in economic terms. Both populations pay taxes and use social services. Therefore any economic analysis should include non-Japanese nationals for economic predictions.
Also, as noticed above, the maths do not add up: a drop of 371,000 Japanese nationals and an increase of 93,000 other nationals should mean that anyway the population decreased overall.
nath
How do they define Japanese native? Does that include those of other ethnicites born in the country and multicultural families? Or is it just pureblood Japanese?
Goals0
The population of Japan increased in fact, up 0.2% to 128,057,352.
The number of people with Japanese nationality declined by 371,294 for a total of 125,358,854.
CrazyJoe
These figures are based on Japan's Basic Resident Register Network.
PT24881
Only countries in Africa & Indian Subcontintent maintain a stable population growth, hence, why should one be worried about the shrinking population here ? What are the genuine concerns ? Quality of life & happiness, in my opinion !
Piglet
@PT24881
The problem is the population is aging at unprecedented speed and it is increasingly difficult to finance retirement and social systems. Domestic companies will more and more face labor shortage as the working population shrinks (even faster than the general population). Domestic markets will have to adapt to the new situation, but in order to finance the huge debt (200%) and the public spending, Japan will need to stabilize the working population (immigration, higher birth rate, increased participation of women).