Japan Births Hit Record Low for 10th Straight Year; Takaichi Government Faces Declining Birthrate Challenge | WPN World People News

According to preliminary statistics released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on the 26th, the total number of newborns in Japan in 2025 (including foreign residents) dropped sharply to 705,809, a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. This marks the tenth consecutive year that the figure has reached a new record low since records began in 1899. The pace of declining births is 17 years ahead of the Japanese government’s projections, signaling that a review of the current social security system has become unavoidable.

Although the birthrate continues to fall, the number of registered marriages has increased for two consecutive years. Authorities stated that they will closely monitor whether the rebound in marriage registrations can translate into renewed momentum for childbirth, in an effort to address the country’s increasingly severe demographic crisis.

In response to population shrinkage, Takaichi Government is promoting a series of economic incentive measures, including tax reductions and childbirth subsidies, aimed at easing the financial burden associated with pregnancy and delivery. However, these proposals have not yet been formally implemented.

Takaichi Government emphasized that tackling rising prices is its top priority and is attempting to address demographic challenges through economic incentives. Nevertheless, uncertainties surrounding policy implementation and divided attention toward population issues raise doubts about whether these measures can effectively reverse the declining birthrate.