Japan is facing increasing pressure from a declining population, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on April 16, 2025. As of October 2024, Japan's population reached 123.8 million, a decrease of approximately 550,000 people compared to the previous year. Notably, the number of Japanese citizens decreased by 898,000 compared to the previous year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline in Japan.
The number of people aged 65 and over increased by 17,000 to 36.24 million, accounting for 29.3% of the population. In contrast, the population under 15 years old decreased to 13.83 million, equivalent to 11.2% of the population. The working-age population (15 to 64 years old) decreased by 224,000 to 73.73 million, accounting for 59.6% of the population.
Only 2 out of 47 prefectures in Japan experienced population growth: Tokyo and Saitama. Alarmingly, 34 provinces are warned to have a rapid rate of population decline. The Japan Times reported that Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated that the government is implementing various measures to address the declining population. These measures include increasing financial support for raising children, raising wages for the younger generation, and providing matchmaking services.
In 2023, the Japanese government announced plans to allocate approximately 3,500 billion yen (25 billion USD) annually for childcare and support for parents. The government's commitment reflects a broader recognition of the demographic challenges facing the nation.
Meanwhile, the issue of declining birth rates is compounded by societal pressures faced by women in the workforce. Yuna Kato, a third-year student at a leading Japanese engineering university, is aiming for a research career but worries it might not last if she has children. "My relatives have tried to steer me away from STEM fields, believing that women in these areas are too busy with work to date or raise a family," Kato shared.
Many promising female engineering students choose different paths due to societal biases, indirectly contributing to a larger problem for Japan. In the information technology sector alone, the country is projected to face a shortage of 790,000 workers by 2030, largely due to the severe underrepresentation of women.
Japan ranks last among wealthy nations, with only 16% of university students being women studying engineering, manufacturing, and construction. The ratio of female scientists to male scientists stands at 1 to 7. Despite these challenges, Japanese girls consistently achieve high scores in mathematics and science, ranking second and third globally, respectively, according to the OECD.
Looking ahead, for the academic year beginning in 2024, about ten universities, including the Tokyo Institute of Technology, will introduce quotas for female students in STEM fields. This move marks significant progress for a nation that has previously witnessed instances of gender bias in education; one medical university in Tokyo even lowered entrance exam scores for female applicants to favor male students.
To further support female participation in STEM, the Gender Equality Bureau of the Japanese government plans to organize over 100 workshops and events this summer, primarily targeting female students. These workshops will include sessions with engineers from Mazda's sports car division, aimed at inspiring young women to consider careers in technology and engineering.
As Japan grapples with its demographic crisis, the intersection of gender equality and population decline becomes increasingly critical. The government’s initiatives to bolster child-rearing support and promote women in STEM could potentially serve as a dual strategy to address both the declining birthrate and the labor shortage projected in the coming years.
Experts warn that the consequences of failing to engage women in the workforce could lead to a decline in innovation, productivity, and competitiveness for a country that has historically been one of the world’s largest economies. Dr. Yinuo Li, a molecular biologist and a role model in the STEM field, remarked, "This is a tremendous waste and a loss for the country."
As Japan's population continues to age and its workforce shrinks, the importance of creating an environment where women can thrive professionally while also considering family life cannot be overstated. The coming years will be crucial for the nation as it seeks to balance these complex issues and secure a sustainable future.
