New Delhi, Aug. 8 -- For the sixth consecutive year, Japan has recorded a drastic fall in population. Official data showed that more than 900,000 people died in 2024 - the biggest drop since 1968. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the demographic crisis as "quite an emergency", vowing to implement family-friendly policies such as free childcare and more flexible working hours.

According to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan recorded just 686,061 births - the lowest since records began in 1899 - while nearly 1.6 million people passed away. This means that for every child born, more than two people died.

The tally of foreign nationals residing in Japan, however, was the highest since reco...