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Japan’s population has fallen to just over 123 million, marking its steepest decline over a five-year census period, according to preliminary 2025 data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, NHK reported.
As of Oct. 1, 2025, the population stood at 123,049,524, a decrease of more than 3 million people compared with the 2020 census. The figures mark the third consecutive population decline since 2015.
Of Japan’s 47 prefectures, only Tokyo and Okinawa recorded population increases, although growth in both areas has slowed. The remaining 45 prefectures registered declines, with Hokkaido reporting the largest decrease.
The data highlights a continued concentration of population in urban centers, particularly Tokyo, alongside persistent depopulation in rural regions.
Despite the overall population decrease, the number of households reached a record 57.1 million.
The average household size declined from 2.26 to 2.15 persons, reflecting a growing prevalence of single-person households, particularly among elderly residents.
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