Despite Japan's newborn population hitting an all-time low, Tokyo's birth rate has increased for the first time in nearly a decade, raising questions about effective policies.
Japan has reported its lowest number of newborns on record, with 705,809 births in the past year, a decline of 15,179 (2.1%) compared to the previous year. This alarming trend continues, with Japan facing a serious low birthrate crisis similar to that of South Korea. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that the number of Japanese newborns is expected to drop to 680,000 in 2024, significantly faster than earlier predictions that estimated a drop to 700,000 by 2042. This decline has been attributed to various factors including economic insecurity and difficulties in balancing work and parenting.
