Japan's Birthrate Hits New Record Low at 720,000 in 2024

Feb 28, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The number of children born in Japan in 2024 fell to a record low, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 720,988 babies were born last year, a decrease of approximately 38,000 from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest birthrate since records began in 1899.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths reached an all-time high of 1,618,684, up by around 28,000 from the previous year.

As a result, the natural population decline—the difference between births and deaths—hit a record 897,696, highlighting the ongoing demographic crisis.

Source: TBS

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Typhoon No. 15 caused growing disruption to Japan's Obon holiday travel on August 11, with dozens of flights canceled and railway services suspended as the storm made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at around 8 p.m.

Typhoon No. 15 Makes Landfall in Ibaraki

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at around 8 p.m. on August 11, marking the first typhoon landfall in the prefecture since official statistics began in 1951, as strong winds and heavy rain spread across eastern Japan.

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Typhoon No. 15 is expected to approach and likely make landfall somewhere in the Kanto region on August 11, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that could disrupt conventional rail services, expressways and flights while also affecting a wider area extending into Tohoku.

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