Key Facts
• November 18, 2025: Population Strategy Headquarters launched, led by PM Sanae Takaichi.
• Headquarters aims to address population decline through cross-ministerial coordination.
• PM emphasized creating a society where people can live in chosen regions.
• Japan’s population projected at 123.8 million as of October 1, 2024, a 0.44% decrease.
• Population decline impacts regional economies and public services.
• October 2025 coalition agreement by LDP and Japan Innovation Party included this initiative.
• PM identified population decline as Japan’s “greatest issue” in policy speech.
Summary
The Japanese government convened the first meeting of the Population Strategy Headquarters on November 18, 2025, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This initiative addresses the accelerating population decline, which poses challenges to regional economies and public services. The headquarters will coordinate policies across multiple ministries, including child and family agencies, to implement comprehensive measures. Japan’s population is projected to decrease by 0.44% to 123.8 million by October 2024. The initiative aligns with the October 2025 coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, which prioritized establishing a framework to combat population decline. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of creating a society where individuals can continue living in their chosen regions.
