Figures released by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry on 27th January show that as of 1st October 2004, Japan’s population had risen 68,000, or about 0.05%, compared to 2003. This is the lowest rate of increase since the government started compiling monthly data in 1950.

The data show that the birthrate is falling faster than expected by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, and that Japan may experience population decline before 2007.

In addition, the figures show that for the first time the number of people leaving Japan was greater than for those entering country, including non-Japanese.