Coping with problems arising from a low birthrate and a rapid graying of the population is an issue that the government and private sectors must tackle with a greater sense of urgency.

Postwar baby boomers born from 1947 to 1949 are now at least 65 years old, and people in this age category now account for more than a quarter of Japan's population. It is important to reform employment systems and social security programs so that Japan can better cope with the changing demographic situation and the shrinking labor supply.

As of Oct. 1, 2013, Japan's population stood at 127,298,000 (including foreign residents), marking the third straight yearly decline. The population of Japanese alone shrank 253,000 from the previous year, a record margin of decrease.