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Japan’s Births Drop to New Low for 10th Straight Year
Japan’s births fell 2.1% to about 705,809 in 2025 despite government efforts, marking the slowest decline rate in a decade, Health Ministry said.
- In 2025, national preliminary tallies recorded 705,809 births, a new record low and the tenth straight annual decline, with a 2.1% decrease from 2024.
- Despite a �3.6 trillion childcare measures package, the pace of decline is over 15 years ahead of National Institute of Population and Social Security Research projections, and critics say focus shifted as Mr Hitoshi Kikawada manages 11 portfolios.
- Marriages and deaths data show that only Tokyo and Ishikawa recorded increases; 505,656 marriages in 2025 and roughly 1.6 million deaths, according to the report.
- The decline is intensifying pressures such as labour shortages and a ballooning social security bill, with over 40% of municipalities at risk of extinction, according to a study.
- At last week's parliamentary session, Ms Takaichi proposed tax and childcare reforms and said the government would ease pregnancy costs, though none have yet been implemented.
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Japan births fall for 10th straight year
TOKYO: The number of births in Japan fell for the 10th straight year in 2025, official data showed on Thursday (Feb 26), highlighting the challenges for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.A total of 705,809 babies were born in Japan, the preliminary health ministry data showed, down 2.1 per cent from 2024.T
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
13%
C 37%
R 50%
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