According to the latest National Census data released on February 26, Tokyo’s metropolitan area recorded a 2.69% increase in population. 39 of Japan’s 47 prefectures saw a decline in population, including Osaka prefecture, as the population continues to concentrate in the Tokyo area.

Japan remains ranked in 10th position for the most populated countries in the world. In terms of population density, Japan is ranked 9th with 341 people per square kilometre.

Tokyo

The population in the Tokyo metropolitan area was 13.51 million in 2015. In the greater Tokyo area (which may include Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi and Ibaraki), the population increased by 1.4% to 36.13 million residents. 28.4% of Japan’s population is now concentrated in the greater Tokyo area, an increase of 0.6 points from 2010.

The density in the Tokyo metropolitan area was 6,168 people per square kilometre, 18.1 times the national average.

Tokyo’s 23 wards recorded the largest increase in all cities, towns and villages across Japan with an increase of 326,870 residents between 2010 and 2015. The population in 2015 was 9.27 million, up 3.65% from 2010.

The average household size in the Tokyo metropolitan area was 2.02 persons, down from 2.06 in 2010. In Tokyo’s 23 wards, the average household size was 1.93 persons, down from 1.97 in 2010.

Minato Ward, home to areas such as Roppongi, Akasaka, and the Azabu neighbourhoods, saw the biggest increase in population with an increase of 38,259 residents. In terms of percentage increases, Chiyoda-ku, home to the Marunouchi business district and the Imperial Palace, saw a 23.83% increase.

Tokyo’s biggest increases:

[1] Minato-ku: +38,259 residents

[2] Koto-ku: +37,325

[3] Itabashi-ku: +26,113

[4] Ota-ku: +24,192

[5] Setagaya-ku: +23,253

Biggest percentage increases:

[1] Chiyoda-ku: +23.83%

[2] Minato-ku: +18.65%

[3] Chuo-ku: +14.93%

[4] Taito-ku: +12.84%

[5] Shibuya-ku: +9.94%

Tokyo’s biggest decreases:

[1] Adachi-ku: -12,318

[2] Tachikawa City: -4,280

[3] Hachioji City: -3,527

[4] Higashimurayama City: -3,427

[5] Kunitachi City: -2,236

Nationwide

Nationwide, however, the total population declined for the first time since census data recording began in 1920. The population in 2015 declined by 947,305 from 2010, indicating a decrease of 0.7% over the past 5 years.

Meanwhile, the total number of households increased by 2.8% to 53.4 million, reaching a record high. The average number of people per household has been declining, while single-person households have been on the increase. The average household size in 2015 was 2.38 persons – a record low. In 1970, the average household size was 3.45 persons.

Osaka Prefecture saw a decline of 0.3%, while Osaka City saw an increase of 1%. Population decline was more obvious in the surrounding smaller cities and towns, which pulled down the total figure.

The city with the biggest decline in population was Kita Kyushu City, which recorded a decline of 15,031 residents. Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture was ranked 8th nationwide for declines, with a drop of 11,639 residents.

Disaster hit areas

This was the first census to be conducted since the 2011 Tohoku disaster. In Fukushima Prefecture, the population declined by 5.7%, an increase of 2.7 points from the previous 2010 census. Iwate Prefecture recorded a decline of 3.8% and Miyagi Prefecture recorded a 0.6% decline.

Japan’s census is carried out once every 5 years. It includes foreigners who have been in the country for more than 3 months at the time of conducting the census.

Sources:
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau
The Nikkei Shimbun, February 26, 2016.

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