Japan’s total population declined for the 15th straight year in 2023, dropping by more than a half-million people as the population ages and births remain low.
Births in Japan hit a record low of 730,000 last year. The 1.58 million deaths last year were also a record high. Japan’s population was 124.9 million as of Jan. 1.
The data released Wednesday by Japan’s Internal Affairs Ministry also showed that the 11% increase in foreign residents helped their population surpass 3 million for the first time. They now make up nearly 3% of the total population and are mostly of working age from 15 to 64.
Surveys show that younger Japanese are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children, discouraged by bleak job prospects, the high cost of living — which rises at a faster pace than salaries — and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds a burden only on women and working mothers.
You can apply for citizenship in Japan after 5 years (which, until recently, was faster than any permanent residency requirements). The only downside is you must give up all other citizenships. Other than that, it’s a mountain of paperwork and does have a minor Japanese language requirement, but it’s apparently not too hard. I need to be able to go back to the US to help my parents as needed so it’s not an option for me. PR will get me a number of the same benefits, though obviously not all of them.