Demographic Trends - Japan's birth rate hit a record low of 686,061 in 2024, the lowest since 1899, marking a 5.7% decrease from 2023 [1] - Japan's fertility rate plunged to a record low of 1.15 children per woman, significantly below the 2.1 replacement level [1] - Japan's population shrank by over 900,000, with approximately 919,000 more deaths than births [1] Economic Implications - The declining birth rate and aging population pose significant challenges to Japan's long-term economic growth and social security system [1]