From The Japan Times · Jessica Speed · · 1m 20s
Japan convenes expert panel to tackle population decline
Japan's government forms expert panel to reverse birthrate decline and address shrinking population.
In brief
Japan's government forms expert panel to reverse birthrate decline and address shrinking population. Japan's government convened an expert panel to draft plans for reversing declining birthrates and restructuring socioeconomic systems amid population decline. Originally reported by The Japan Times.
Government expert panel convenes
Japan convened its first expert panel Friday to draft plans reversing declining birthrates and restructuring socioeconomic systems for shrinking population.
“Population decline is a national crisis that is unfolding quietly”
Population decline crisis
Japan's population is aging rapidly with 320,458 births and 766,746 deaths in the first half of 2026.
Fertility rate at 1.14
Japan's fertility rate dropped to 1.14, the lowest on record, last year.
Population projections
Projections show Japan's population could fall below 100 million by 2056 and decline to 87 million by 2070 under medium-fertility scenarios.
Panel discussions
Panel members discussed AI's potential to address labor shortages and building sustainable local communities.
Foreign workers concerns
Akira Kurosawa noted panel discussions included concerns about over-reliance on foreign workers and labor shortages.
Panel composition
The panel consists of 14 members including academics, business executives, and IPSS department heads.
Policy timeline
Government plans to incorporate panel results into population strategy by December and finalize foreign national policy by March.
The one thing
Japan's government convened an expert panel to draft plans for reversing declining birthrates and restructuring socioeconomic systems amid population decline.
