Group 1: Population Trends in Japan - Japan's total population, including foreign residents, is projected to be slightly over 124.33 million in 2024, a decrease of approximately 554,500 from 2023, representing a decline of about 0.44% [1] - The native Japanese population has decreased to 120.65 million, down by about 908,000 from the previous year, marking a historical low [1] - Japan's population has been declining for 16 consecutive years, with the largest drop recorded since 1968 at approximately 0.75% last year [1] Group 2: Regional Population Dynamics - Among Japan's 47 prefectures, 46 are experiencing population declines, with Tokyo being the only area to see an increase of 0.13% [3] - The elderly population (65 years and older) in Japan is approximately 35.69 million, accounting for about 29.6% of the total population [3] - The Tokyo metropolitan area has attracted young families due to strong support for childcare and education, with a fiscal budget of 9.158 trillion yen for 2025, an increase of over 700 billion yen from the previous year [3] Group 3: Foreign Population in Japan - The number of foreign residents in Japan increased by 350,000 last year, a year-on-year growth of 10.5%, reaching a total of 3.77 million, the highest since records began in 2013 [5] - The top three countries of origin for foreign residents are China (23.2%), Vietnam (16.8%), and South Korea (10.9%) [5] - In 2023, Japan welcomed over 33 million foreign tourists, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, indicating the tourism sector's significance to Japan's economic growth [5] Group 4: Public Sentiment and Political Response - Public sentiment towards foreign residents in Japan is mixed, with concerns about competition for resources and social order, leading to the "foreigners" issue becoming a focal point in recent elections [6] - The right-wing party Sanseito, which emphasizes prioritizing Japanese citizens, gained significant traction in the recent elections, reflecting growing political attention to foreigner policies [6] - A new cross-departmental body, the "Foreigners' Coexistence Promotion Office," has been established to address the increasing foreign population and promote equal treatment [7]