The number of Japanese child births in the first half of 2024 continued its alarming downward trend, with only 329,998 babies born between January and June.

If this pace continues, the country’s annual number of births will fall below 700,000 for the first time since 1947, when comparative statistics became available.

On November 5, the Ministry of Social Protection released preliminary population statistics, revealing a decrease of 22,242 births, a drop of 6.3 percent, compared to the same period last year.

By 2023, births had already fallen by 14,992 from the previous year, a decline of 4.1%, reflecting the ongoing struggle to reverse Japan’s population decline.

The number of births fell below the million mark for the first time in 2016, and the trend has worsened with each passing year.

In 2022, this figure fell below 800,000 for the first time, further highlighting the country’s demographic challenges.

Despite the series of measures put in place by the government over the years, there is no indication that these policies are proving effective in reversing the trend.