Japanese population below 120 million for first time in decades

TOKYO: The number of Japanese people living in the country has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, government data showed on Wednesday (Jul 29), as the nation confronts a low birth rate and an ageing society.As of Jan 1, the population of Japanese residents in Japan stood at 119.74 million, down 0.76 per cent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.The population of Japanese residents has been declining for 17 consecutive years since peaking in 2009, according to the survey, which began in 1968.However, the population of foreign residents living in Japan reached its highest level since record-keeping began in 2013, according to the ministry. Including them, the total population stands at 123.8 million.With a median age o