SW News: Japan's population dropped by a record amount in 2022 as the nation works to overcome its historically low birthrates, reveals government figures released on Wednesday.

In many developed countries, low birth rates are an issue, but in Japan, where the population has been shrinking for 14 years in a row, they are particularly serious.

The country has the second-oldest population in the world. In January, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed worry that the nation was in danger of losing its ability to operate as a community. An internal affairs ministry poll showed the number of Japanese decreased by 800,523, or 0.65 percent, to 122,423,038 last year from the previous year.

All 47 regions experienced population declines for the first time in Japan. According to the ministry, the overall reduction was the sharpest ever seen since the government poll started in 1968.

In contrast, the number of foreigners in Japan climbed by a record 289,498, or 10.7 percent, to 2,993,839, which is the highest level since 2013, the most recent year for which comparable data is available.

The government of Japan has gradually loosened its generally rigid immigration laws to solve difficulties with a workforce shortage. The relaxation of its Covid-19 pandemic border limits also happened to coincide with the substantial surge.

The government has said the decline in the population involves Japan's social, economic, and welfare issues. He claimed through changes to work practices and labor markets, the administration will strive towards prompting women and elderly people to enter the workforce.

The birth rate in the 125 million-people nation dropped to less than 800,000 last year, the lowest number ever recorded, while the price of elderly care increased. In an effort to increase the nation's declining birthrate, Kishida launched a $25 billion plan to provide support for children and families last month.