# R4 | openai/gpt-5.6-luna | 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

Japan’s **latest official population estimate is 122,975,000 people as of July 1, 2026**—about **122.98 million**. The population is **decreasing**, down approximately **440,000 people, or 0.35%, from July 2025**. [Japan Statistics Bureau, July 2026 estimate](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/pdf/202607.pdf) ([stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/pdf/202607.pdf))

## Summary

- **Population:** 122,975,000
- **Reference date:** July 1, 2026
- **Trend:** Decreasing
- **Year-over-year change:** −440,000 people, or −0.35%

For context, Japan’s preliminary **2025 Population Census** counted **123.05 million people on October 1, 2025**, a decline of **3.097 million, or 2.5%, from 2020**. [2025 Census preliminary count](https://www.stat.go.jp/english/info/news/20260625.html) ([stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/english/info/news/20260625.html?utm_source=openai))
