Japan has recorded a new high in the number of babies born to foreign parents, reflecting the country’s rapid demographic change and growing dependence on migration. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, more than 20,000 children were born to non-Japanese couples in 2024, making up over 3% of all newborns in the country.
The number and proportion of foreign newborns were both record highs, as reported by the Nikkei newspaper. This growth has slightly helped balance Japan’s ongoing decline in births among Japanese citizens. Japan’s total population now stands at around 125 million, but the country continues to face one of the world’s fastest ageing populations.
At the same time, the number of legal foreign residents has grown sharply. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan revealed that there are now 3.95 million foreign residents living in Japan, many of whom are in their 20s and 30s. These younger workers are more likely to stay long-term and start families, contributing to Japan’s changing social fabric.
In total, 22,878 babies were born to foreign parents or unmarried foreign mothers last year — a rise of over 3,000 from the previous year and a 50% increase compared to a decade ago. By contrast, births among Japanese couples dropped to 686,173, a fall of more than 41,000. This means that foreign births helped offset more than half of Japan’s overall decline.
Most foreign mothers were from China, followed by the Philippines and Brazil. Towns like Ōizumi, known for their diverse populations, now represent a new face of Japan — multicultural and multilingual. However, this growing diversity has sparked mixed reactions in politics.
Why has this rise in foreign births become a political issue in Japan?
The debate stems from how migration is reshaping Japanese society. Some right-wing politicians have called for stricter immigration laws and better integration, fearing that rapid demographic changes could challenge Japan’s cultural identity. During July’s upper house elections, the populist Sanseito Party gained attention by opposing foreign workers. Meanwhile, Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a candidate for prime minister, made immigration and the behaviour of foreign tourists key points of her campaign.
Despite the controversy, Japan’s ageing population and labour shortages mean migration is likely to continue. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki recently stated that foreign residents could make up over 10% of Japan’s population by 2040 — a milestone that experts previously predicted would not happen until 2070.
Experts like Toshihiro Menju, a visiting professor at the Kansai University of International Studies, have urged local governments to provide more support for foreign families. He warned that current policies are insufficient and rely heavily on nonprofit organizations. Menju emphasized the need to create a society where foreign-born children can fully integrate, learn the language, and earn equal wages. Without such support, he cautioned, Japan risks becoming a divided society.
The record number of foreign births highlights a major turning point for Japan. As the country faces its population crisis, the presence of foreign families may be the key to balancing its demographic future — but only if migration policies and integration efforts keep pace with change.