人口16连降，日本绷不住了

Core Points - Japan's population has decreased to 120.65 million as of January 1, 2025, marking a record decline of 908,000 people from the previous year, the largest drop since records began [1] - The country has experienced a continuous population decline for 16 years, totaling a reduction of nearly 7 million people since 2008, equivalent to the disappearance of two Osaka cities [3][5] - Japan has invested approximately 66 trillion yen (about 3.2 trillion yuan) over the past 20 years to address the declining birth rate, viewing it as a national crisis [4] Population Trends - In 2024, Japan recorded its lowest birth rate of 686,000, while the death toll reached nearly 1.6 million, the highest on record [6] - The dual pressures of declining birth rates and an aging population are contributing to the ongoing population decrease [8] - Japan's median age is 49.4 years, with approximately 29.6% of the population aged 65 and older, making it the oldest country globally [11][13] Regional Disparities - Population decline is widespread across Japan, with only Tokyo experiencing growth among the 47 prefectures; other regions are seeing declines [14][15] - Some areas, like Tottori Prefecture, have populations dropping below 100,000, facing a "disappearance crisis" [16] Education and Infrastructure Impact - The population decrease has led to the closure of over 400 schools annually, with more than half of private universities failing to meet enrollment targets [17] - Some schools have been repurposed for other uses, such as agricultural parks or aquariums [18] Government Response and Policies - Japan's total fertility rate fell to 1.15 in 2024, the lowest since records began in 1947, significantly below the 2.1 replacement level [21] - The government has implemented extensive financial support measures, including a comprehensive subsidy system for families with children, averaging 3.52 million yen (approximately 164,000 yuan) per child from birth to age 18 [31] - New policies include full tuition waivers for national universities for families with three or more children, alongside various other financial incentives [32][34] Comparison with Other Regions - Despite Japan's low birth rate, it is not the lowest in East Asia, with South Korea's rate at 0.75 [24] - The European Union has seen population growth, with 19 out of 27 member states increasing their populations, largely due to immigration, which Japan has been historically resistant to [37][42][43] - Japan's recent increase in foreign residents, reaching 3.77 million, indicates a potential shift in immigration policy as domestic population decline continues [48][49]