人口16连跌！这个亚洲国家，绷不住了

Core Viewpoint - Japan is experiencing a significant and continuous population decline, with the latest statistics indicating a decrease of 908,000 people, marking the largest drop since records began [5][6]. Population Decline - Japan's population has been decreasing for 16 consecutive years, with 2024 witnessing a record low of 686,000 births and nearly 1.6 million deaths [6][10]. - The median age in Japan is 49.4 years, with approximately 29.6% of the population aged 65 and older, highlighting the aging demographic [7]. Urban vs. Rural Population Trends - Only Tokyo is experiencing population growth among Japan's 47 prefectures, while other regions are seeing declines, with some areas like Tottori Prefecture dropping below 520,000 residents [9]. - The decline in population has led to the closure of over 400 schools annually and a significant number of private universities failing to meet enrollment targets [9]. Fertility Rate Challenges - Japan's total fertility rate has reached a historic low of 1.15 in 2024, far below the replacement level of 2.1 [10][11]. - Despite efforts to stimulate birth rates, including financial incentives, the fertility rate continues to decline, indicating diminishing returns on such policies [11]. Government Initiatives - The Japanese government has implemented a comprehensive subsidy system for families, with an average total subsidy of 3.52 million yen (approximately 164,000 yuan) for children aged 0-18 [12]. - New policies include free tuition for children from families with three or more children attending national universities, alongside various other financial supports for childbirth and childcare [12]. Comparison with Other Regions - While Japan's fertility rate is low, it is not the lowest in Asia, with South Korea at 0.75. Japan's previous fertility rate of 1.45 has also seen a decline in recent years [11]. - The European Union has reported a population increase, contrasting Japan's decline, attributed to immigration rather than natural growth [13][15]. Immigration Policy Shift - Japan's immigration policy is gradually shifting in response to the declining native population, with a notable increase of 350,000 foreign residents in the past year, reaching a total of 3.77 million [15].