# Japan convenes expert panel to tackle population decline

> Japan's government forms expert panel to reverse birthrate decline and address shrinking population.
- Title: Japan convenes expert panel to tackle population decline
- Summary: Japan's government forms expert panel to reverse birthrate decline and address shrinking population.
- Keywords: population, depopulation, immigration, jobs, children, The Japan Times
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/11/06/japan/society/declining-birthrate-expert-panel
- Author: Jessica Speed
- Published: 2026-11-06T11:58:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: population, depopulation, immigration, jobs, children, news, politics, world
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Japan's government convened an expert panel to draft plans for reversing declining birthrates and restructuring socioeconomic systems amid population decline.