Japan is facing a serious population crisis as the number of its citizens has been decreasing. In the past year, the population dropped by more than 800,000 people, making it the 14th consecutive year of decline. Every part of Japan saw a decrease in the number of Japanese citizens, except for Tokyo, which had a slight increase due to more foreign residents. The main reason for this decline is that Japan’s fertility rate is low, with only 1.3 children born per woman. This means there are not enough births to replace the number of people who pass away, leading to a shrinking population.

To address this problem, Japan has been trying to attract more foreign residents and workers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for the country to do this, as it had to close its borders and impose lockdowns. To achieve its economic goals, Japan might need about four times as many foreign workers by 2040. But to make this happen, the country needs to create a welcoming environment for migrants and be more accepting of foreigners. This population decline is not unique to Japan. Other East Asian countries like China, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are also facing similar challenges in encouraging more children to be born amid rising living costs and social issues. Addressing this issue is crucial for the future well-being and stability of these countries.