Population: About 123 million people (2025 estimate).
Japan is facing a long-term population decline, driven by low birth rates and an aging society.
Brief History:
Japan is an archipelago in East Asia that has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, but its recorded history begins around the 1st century CE with early centralized rule under the Yamato court.
Over the centuries, it developed a rich cultural and political tradition through periods like the classical Heian era (-12th century), the samurai-led shogunates (12th-19th centuries), and a long period of isolation during the Edo period. In the mid-19th century, Japan reopened to the West and rapidly modernized during the Meiji Restoration, becoming a major industrial power. Japan’s imperial ambitions led it into conflict in the early 20th century, culminating in defeat in World War II.
Following the war, Japan rebuilt quickly and experienced an economic miracle, becoming one of the world’s leading economies by the late 20th century.
Current Day:
Today, Japan is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament (the Diet) and an emperor who serves as a symbolic head of state. It is a highly developed country renowned for its advanced technology, robust manufacturing sector, and significant global economic influence.
Socially, Japan is facing significant demographic challenges, including an aging population, a low fertility rate, and a shrinking workforce. On the international stage, Japan plays a significant role in global diplomacy, technology, finance, and culture.
Image Credit: By Connormah – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 [Accessed 15/11/2025]
