Japan's population drops below 120 million for first time in 42 years

According to data released by the Japanese government on July 25, the country's population as of early 2025 has dropped to 119,736,483, falling below the 120 million threshold for the first time in 42 years. This figure underscores a severe demographic decline driven by decades of low birthrates.

Meanwhile, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record high of 3,315,942, up 11.4% from the previous year. This reflects the government's efforts to attract foreign workers to offset labor shortages caused by an aging population.

On the same day, the Japanese government announced plans to tighten requirements for granting permanent residency to foreigners, aiming to ensure that recipients contribute positively to society and strictly comply with legal regulations.