Number of Children in Japan Falls for 44th Straight Year

May 06, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan’s child population has declined for the 44th consecutive year, reaching the lowest level since comparable records began in 1950, according to government estimates released ahead of Children's Day on May 5th.

As of April 1st, the number of children under the age of 15 stood at 13.66 million, a drop of 350,000 from the previous year, according to population statistics compiled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The total includes 6.99 million boys and 6.66 million girls, with boys outnumbering girls by 330,000.

Children now make up just 11.1% of Japan’s total population, marking the 51st consecutive year of decline since the second baby boom era and setting a new record low for the ratio.

By prefecture, Okinawa had the highest proportion of children at 15.8%, while Akita had the lowest at 8.8%.

Source: TBS

Typhoons Disrupt Weekend Travel Across Japan

Typhoon No. 7 continued to disrupt travel across Japan on June 27, with Japan Airlines warning of possible delays and cancellations at Haneda, Narita and Nanki-Shirahama, while Shinkansen services were scheduled to operate normally but remained at risk of delays or sudden suspensions depending on rain and wind conditions.

Two Typhoons Bear Down On Japan

As of 3 a.m. on June 27, Typhoon No. 8 was racing northeast toward the Pacific side of eastern Japan while Typhoon No. 7 was moving east-northeast south of Yakushima, with the two storms and an active seasonal rain front threatening to bring two waves of heavy rain to Tokai and Kanto after floods, landslides and river swelling had already damaged parts of western Japan.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

Aomori Hit by Quake Measuring Upper 6 as Hachinohe Shakes Again

A powerful earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 struck off Iwate Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. on June 25, shaking parts of Aomori Prefecture and leaving Hachinohe, which was hit by a similarly strong quake last December, facing fresh damage.

Strong Quake Hits Aomori Prefecture

A powerful earthquake registering a maximum intensity of 6 upper on Japan’s seismic scale struck Aomori Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, with a depth of about 50 kilometers. The earthquake’s magnitude was estimated at 6.9.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Foreign Visitors Experience Japanese School Life

A U.S. family took part in a Japanese school experience program at a former school building in Chiba Prefecture, joining calligraphy, disaster drills, school lunch duty and a sports day-style event in a six-hour program that has attracted more than 200 foreign participants since it began about a year ago.

Hokkaido Horse Town Welcomes Indian Workers

Urakawa, a Hokkaido town of about 10,000 people known as one of Japan's leading thoroughbred breeding centers, is seeing a rapid increase in Indian residents as local farms turn to experienced overseas workers to offset a shrinking pool of Japanese horse trainers.

Ninja Exam Held in Historic Heartland

A certification exam testing knowledge and skills related to ninjas was held in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, a city known as one of Japan's historic ninja centers.

Tokyo Fire Department Releases Shocking Reenactment of Ambulance Crew Assaults

The Tokyo Fire Department has called for greater public cooperation with emergency medical services following a rise in incidents involving interference with ambulance crews, including cases in which paramedics have been assaulted while carrying out rescue operations.

University of Tokyo and TOPPAN Launch AI Innovation Research Center

The University of Tokyo and TOPPAN Holdings announced the establishment of the AI Innovation Research Center, a new initiative aimed at advancing research and development for the practical application of artificial intelligence in society.

Veteran Photographer Documents Changing Bear Behavior

As bear sightings continue at an unusually high pace across Akita Prefecture, a veteran wildlife photographer who has spent nearly 30 years observing and photographing Asian black bears says the animals are appearing more frequently, moving closer to human settlements, and increasingly adapting their behavior to survive.

Blue Angels Cheer Squad Capturing Hearts

The Blue Angels, the cheerleading squad of Joto High School's support and cheering club, are winning over audiences with their sparkling smiles and dynamic performances.

Okinawa Students Support Network to Tackle Menstrual Poverty

A group of university students in Okinawa is working to combat menstrual poverty and improve understanding of menstruation through educational programs aimed at both children and adults, addressing a problem that affects roughly one in three young women in Japan.

< 2 3 4 5 >