# R4 | anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 | 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 population as of July 1, 2026 (the most recent available estimate) is **122.93 million**, and it is **decreasing** [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.htm).

The population declined by 440,000 people (0.35%) compared to July 2025 [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/pdf/202607.pdf).

The decline reflects long-term demographic trends: Japan's population has been falling for 17 consecutive years since peaking in 2009 [japantimes.co.jp](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/30/japan/society/japan-population-fall/). Key drivers include a shrinking working-age population (15–64 years), which decreased by 121,000 year-over-year as of February 2026, while the elderly population continues to grow [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.htm). The only significant growth component is the foreign population, which increased 12.14% year-over-year to 3.896 million as of February 2026 [stat.go.jp](https://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/new.htm).

What aspects of Japan's demographic shift—such as regional differences or the impact of immigration policy—would be most relevant to your inquiry?
