# R4 | deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro | run 2

## Prompt

As of the most recent available estimate, what is the population of Japan, and is it increasing or decreasing? Give the figure and year, and cite sources.

## Response

As of July 1, 2026, Japan’s total population is estimated at **122.93 million**, according to provisional figures from the Statistics Bureau of Japan. The population continues to decline, having fallen by **44,000 people (–0.35%)** compared to the same month a year earlier.

## Total population

The most recent estimate is the **July 1, 2026 provisional count** of **1億2293万人 (122,930,000)**. This follows a final figure of **122,975,000** as of February 1, 2026. Both numbers confirm a sustained, year‑on‑year decline. [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.htm) [202607.pdf](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/pdf/202607.pdf)

| Date | Type | Total population | Change from previous year |
|------|------|------------------|----------------------------|
| July 1, 2026 | Provisional | 122,930,000 | –44,000 (–0.35%) |
| Feb. 1, 2026 | Final | 122,975,000 | –467,000 (–0.38%) |

## Breakdown by nationality

- **Japanese nationals:** 119,078,000 (Feb. 1, 2026), down 888,000 (–0.74%) year‑on‑year.  
- **Foreign residents:** 3,896,000, up 422,000 (+12.14%).  

The decline is entirely driven by the shrinking Japanese population; the foreign population is rising. [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.htm)

## Japanese‑only milestone

Separate government data reported that the population of Japanese citizens fell below **120 million** for the first time in decades, reaching **119.74 million** as of January 1, 2026. [japantimes.co.jp](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/30/japan/society/japan-population-fall/)

Would you like a breakdown of the age structure (children, working‑age, elderly) from the latest figures?
