In an article in the March/April 2022 issue of Japan Spotlight, Research Director Nobuo Iizuka analyzes the results of the latest population census, which is conducted every five years. Japan’s overall population declined for the second straight time, with only 8 of Japan’s 47 prefectures registering population growth.

The drop in the number of Japanese nationals was offset somewhat by growth in the foreign population, most notably of Vietnamese citizens, who now make up 13.4% of foreigners in Japan, up from 5.0% in the previous survey.

Despite the decline in the total population, there was a significant rise in the number of households, suggesting that many more people are living alone. The trend was particularly pronounced among those aged 65 or over.

“Japan as Seen in the Population Census,” Japan Spotlight
https://www.jef.or.jp/journal/pdf/242nd_Economic_Indicators.pdf

Profile of Research Director Nobuo Iizuka
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=381