Japan's child population at lowest since 1950 after 45th year of decline

Japan's child population (aged 0-14) fell by around 350,000 in the latest year to the lowest level since 1950, marking the 45th consecutive annual decline, according to The Japan Times.

The decline brings Japan's child population to its lowest point since 1950, highlighting the cumulative impact of decades of falling birth rates amid an aging society.

This follows record-low births of 705,809 in 2025—the 10th straight year of decline—as reported earlier this year. Low fertility, driven by economic pressures and social factors, continues despite government incentives like childcare support and financial aid, which have shown limited success so far.

The trend raises concerns over future labor shortages and strains on social services.

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South Korea's job market surge with 234,000 new jobs contrasted by record-high youth unemployment among 15-29 year olds.
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South Korea adds 234,000 jobs in February; youth unemployment hits 5-year high

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South Korea added 234,000 jobs in February, marking the fastest on-year growth in five months, though youth employment slumped and construction losses persisted. Youth unemployment for ages 15-29 reached 7.7 percent, the highest for any February since 2021. The total number of employed people rose 0.8 percent to 28.41 million, per Ministry of Economy and Finance data.

Preliminary data from Japan's health ministry shows that 705,809 babies were born in 2025, marking the lowest level since records began in 1899. This represents a 2.1% decline from the previous year, extending the drop for the 10th consecutive year. Despite government efforts to reverse the trend, the number is approaching 700,000 sooner than projected in a 2023 forecast.

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A growing number of local governments in Japan are making it easier for male workers to take paternity leave, aiming to retain staff amid ongoing population shifts to larger cities. In fiscal 2024, 58.5% of eligible male local government employees took child care leave, surpassing 50% for the first time. Among administrative officials, the rate reached 75%.

Fifteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, yet the government's goal of reducing indirect disaster-related deaths to zero remains unachieved. The earthquake and tsunami continue to impact regions like Tohoku and Fukushima.

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Chinese tourists visiting Japan declined in February, marking the third consecutive month. Previously the biggest source of tourists to Japan, Chinese travelers have now been overtaken by South Korean visitors.

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