According to Xinhua News Agency, data released by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on July 29 (local time) showed that as of the beginning of 2026, the number of Japanese citizens was 119,736,483 people, down 917,000 people compared to the same period last year.
This is the largest decrease since the agency began compiling comparative data in 1968.
Meanwhile, the number of foreign residents increased by 354,000 people, reaching a record 4,031,159 people.
This is also the highest level since the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications began compiling data on this target group in 2013.
Among the 47 provinces and cities of Japan, only Tokyo recorded an increase in the number of Japanese citizens, with an increase of 0.09%.
The total population of Japan, including foreign residents, reached 123,767,642 people, down about 563,000 people compared to a year ago. Only 3 localities recorded population growth: Tokyo, Chiba and Osaka.
