The Japanese population has been decreasing for the 16th consecutive year, revealing what new changes? Why has Tokyo become the only city in Japan with a growing population?

The crisis of aging population in Japan is further intensifying. The latest data released by the Japanese Cabinet Office shows that in 2024, the total population of Japan is slightly higher than 124.33 million, a decrease of about 554,500 people from 2023, a decrease of about 0.44%. Excluding the foreign residents living in Japan, the Japanese population has decreased to 120.65 million, a decrease of about 908,000 from last year, reaching a historic low. The change in the Japanese population has also attracted the attention of American entrepreneur Elon Musk. Recently, he stated in a post that Japan will decrease by almost 1 million people this year, "this unavoidable population trend began half a century ago." Musk said that artificial intelligence is the only "hope" that can reverse the situation. The Japanese population has been decreasing for the 16th consecutive year. The decline last year was about 0.75%, the largest since Japan began recording population data in 1968. The number of Japanese nationals peaked at 127 million in 2009. Since then, it has been decreasing year by year, with the latest forecast indicating that the number of Japanese nationals will drop below 120 million by 2026. In terms of age groups, there are approximately 35.693 million elderly people aged 65 and above in Japan, accounting for about 29.6%; the labor force aged 15 to 64 is approximately 71.235 million, accounting for about 59%, and the labor force continues to decrease. In terms of regional division, out of the 47 prefectures in Japan, the population has decreased in 46 administrative divisions. The only place where the population has increased is Tokyo, with an increase of 0.13%. Japanese media analysis believes that the increase in population in the capital region is largely due to the reuse of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Villages.