Japan posted a record fall of over 0.5mn in its population last year, marking a twelfth straight year of decrease, according to official data unveiled on April 12.
In particular, its populace declined by 556,000 in 2022 from a year earlier to 124.9mn. In addition, local media reported that the number of Japanese nationals saw its most significant drop on record.
As of October 1, the population, including foreign residents, stood at over 124mn, with the number of Japanese nationals down 750,000 to 122mn, the most significant margin of decline since comparable data were made available in 1950.
Reportedly, all of the country's 47 provinces, except for Tokyo, logged a drop in the number of residents in the year to October 2022.
Okinawa province's population, comprising over 150 Islands, declined by 0.01%, the first time since it reverted to Japanese rule in 1972.
The country also recorded a drop in its labor force between 15 and 64, falling by 296,000 to 74.2mn, accounting for 59.4% of the total population.
The data unveiled that those 14 and below accounted for a new all-time low of 11.6% of the total population, while persons aged 65 and over made up 29%.
Health Ministry said that Japan recorded the biggest fall in new births last year.
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