Politics · Japan · 6 hrs ago
Japan census shows more older people, renters and foreign residents
Japan’s 2025 census counted people and households across the country and recorded changes in age, housing and family life.
In 46 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, there were fewer people under 15 than people aged 75 or older.
Single-person households made up more than 40% of all households.
The share of households renting from private landlords reached 30.9%, its highest level since comparable records began in 1970.
The census also counted 3.84 million foreign residents, or 3.1% of Japan’s population, both record highs.
These figures show how Japan’s population and households are changing, including continued aging and more people living alone or renting.
Japan’s 2025 census found that private rental housing accounted for 30.9% of households, the first time the share exceeded 30% in comparable records dating to 1970.
Foreign residents numbered 3.84 million, or 3.1% of Japan’s population, both record highs.
In 46 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, the number of children under 15 was lower than the number of people aged 75 or older.
Single-person households made up more than 40% of all households.
The census also found increases in international marriages and in couples in which both spouses are foreign residents.
- Who
- People and households living in Japan, including older people, renters and foreign residents.
- What
- Japan’s 2025 census showed changes in population age, household composition, housing and nationality.
- When
- The census was conducted in 2025; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- The article attributes the rising share of rental households partly to higher housing prices and more single-person households.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Rental households
- 30.9% in 2025, up 1.2 percentage points from 2020
- Foreign residents
- 3.84 million, or 3.1% of the population
- Age comparison
- Children under 15 outnumbered people aged 75 or older only in Okinawa
- Single-person households
- More than 40% of households
- International marriages
- 411,719 couples with one foreign spouse, up 5.9% in five years
Sources
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