Story perspectives

Japan child population hits 13.3 M, second-lowest globally.

5/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry reported the child population fell to 13.29 million on April 1, a loss of 350,000.
The share dropped to 10.8 percent, a 0.3-point decline and the 45th straight year of decrease.
A UN survey ranked Japan second-lowest child ratio among 38 nations, behind South Korea’s 10.2 percent.
Despite government efforts, the trend persists, with 2025 births at 705,809 and 3.09 million aged 12-14 and 2.13 million aged 0-2.

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Story summary

Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry reported the child population fell to 13.29 million on April 1, a loss of 350,000.
The share dropped to 10.8 percent, a 0.3-point decline and the 45th straight year of decrease.
A UN survey ranked Japan second-lowest child ratio among 38 nations, behind South Korea’s 10.2 percent.
Despite government efforts, the trend persists, with 2025 births at 705,809 and 3.09 million aged 12-14 and 2.13 million aged 0-2.