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Japan’s aging population has reached another record level, with people aged 65 and over making up 29.4 percent of the country’s total population, according to the finalized results of the 2025 Population Census.
The latest figures highlight the continuing demographic changes taking place across Japan as the country’s total population declines while the share of older residents continues to increase. The 2025 census results were officially released by Japan’s Statistics Bureau on September 29, 2026. (Statistics Bureau of Japan)
Japan’s Population Falls Again
Japan’s total population, including foreign residents, stood at 122,972,528 as of October 1, 2025. This represents a decline of about 3.17 million people, or 2.5 percent, compared with the 2020 census.
The decline marks the third consecutive census in which Japan’s total population has fallen.
At the same time, population concentration in the Tokyo metropolitan area continued to grow. About 30.1 percent of Japan’s population was living in the Tokyo metropolitan area, taking the share above 30 percent for the first time.
Nearly Three in 10 People Are 65 or Older
People aged 65 and above accounted for 29.4 percent of Japan’s population in 2025, up 0.9 percentage point from the previous census in 2020.
The figures illustrate the scale of Japan’s demographic aging and the growing importance of policies related to elderly care, employment, social security and regional communities.
The proportion of older residents varies considerably between prefectures.
Akita Prefecture recorded the highest share, with people aged 65 and over making up 40.0 percent of its population. Akita has recorded the highest ratio among Japan’s 47 prefectures for four consecutive censuses since 2010.
Kochi followed at 36.9 percent, while Aomori recorded 36.3 percent.
Tokyo had the lowest proportion at 22.8 percent, reflecting its comparatively younger population structure.
Foreign Population Continues to Increase
While Japan’s overall population declined, the number of foreign residents continued to rise.
The 2025 census recorded 3,840,039 foreign residents, an increase of about 1.09 million, or 39.8 percent, from 2020.
The increase included growing numbers of residents from countries such as Vietnam and Nepal.
This means Japan’s changing population is not simply a story of population decline. The country is also experiencing changes in its population composition as more foreign residents live, work and study across Japan.
Why the Census Matters
Japan’s Population Census has been conducted every five years since 1920 and is one of the country’s key sources of demographic information.
The data are used by national and local governments when planning policies and services, including measures related to the declining birthrate, regional development and social welfare. Census information is also used for purposes such as determining electoral district boundaries.
The Statistics Bureau describes the census as a fundamental source of information for government and public planning. (Statistics Bureau of Japan)
Questions Over the Toyama Census Figures
The latest census also attracted attention because of concerns about the accuracy of population figures reported by the city of Toyama.
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications filed a complaint with Toyama police over suspected violations of the Statistics Act related to alleged population overreporting.
The finalized census figure for Toyama was 399,197, which was 2,936 people lower than the preliminary figure announced in May.
The issue has raised questions about how census information is collected and checked, although the broader national results have been officially published by the Statistics Bureau.
A Changing Japan
The 2025 census provides a detailed picture of a country experiencing several demographic trends at the same time: a declining overall population, a growing proportion of elderly residents, increasing numbers of foreign residents and continued concentration of people in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
With almost three in every ten residents aged 65 or older, Japan’s demographic structure continues to change significantly.
The latest census results are therefore important not only for understanding Japan’s population today, but also for planning how communities, workplaces and public services will adapt to the country’s changing population in the years ahead.
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