Japan's Birth Rate Hits New Low, Deepening Demographic Crisis

Data released shows that the number of babies born in Japan in 2025 has decreased for the tenth consecutive year, further exacerbating the country's declining population and labor shortage crisis. According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, 705,809 babies were born last year. This is a 2.1 percent decrease compared to 2024.

This data includes babies born to Japanese citizens within Japan, children of foreign nationals, and Japanese babies born abroad. Japan, considered the world's fourth-largest economy, has one of the lowest birth rates globally, and its total population continues to shrink.

The declining birth rate is intensifying problems such as labor shortages, increased social security costs, and a shrinking number of tax-paying workers. This puts further pressure on Japan's public debt, which is reported to have the highest ratio among major economies.

Previous leaders, including the country's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, have expressed commitment to increasing the birth rate, but concrete achievements appear limited. Speaking in parliament last week, Takaichi described the declining birth rate and shrinking population as a 'silent emergency,' stating that it is gradually weakening the nation's vitality.

In the election held on February 8, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Takaichi secured a two-thirds majority. Although expanding immigration is being analyzed as potentially useful for resolving the demographic crisis, the government has signaled a tough stance on immigration due to pressure from the Sanshito party, which champions the 'Japan First' slogan.