Japan births, fertility rates dropped to record low in 2025: Report

Pedestrians walk across a street in Tokyo, Japan on July 8, 2021. (Christopher Jue/Xinhua/IANS File Photo)

Tokyo, (IANS): The number of babies born in Japan to Japanese citizens in 2025 dropped to a record low of 671,236, while the country's total fertility rate also reduced to a new low, government data revealed on Wednesday, local media reported.

Births in Japan reduced by 2.2 per cent or 14,937 from the previous year, and the fertility rate dropped by 0.01 percentage point to 1.14, both witnessing a decline for the 10th consecutive year. However, the rate slowed in comparison to recent trends, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revealed in a data, Japan's leading Kyodo News Agency reported. The slow pace of drop in the number of newborns may be due to the stable population of 25 to 35-year-olds who were born around the 1990s.

The number of marriages, a key factor attributable for future birth trends, increased for the second consecutive year to 489,119, with the average age of men getting married at 31.0 while women at 29.7, both down from the previous year.

Meanwhile, 1,589,489 deaths were reported in Japan, down for the first time in five years, as per the data. Deaths outnumbered births by 918,253, marking the 19th straight year of drop in the population.

Earlier in May, government data revealed that child population in Japan has reduced to an estimated 13.29 million as of April 1, showcasing a decline of 350,000 from a year earlier and marking a new record low. The figure has declined for 45th consecutive year.

The ratio of children aged below 15 years dropped 0.3 percentage point to 10.8 per cent of the total population, lowest since comparable data became available in 1950, according to data released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Kyodo News reported.

The figures, including foreign residents, were calculated based on population estimates mentioned in national census conducted every five years.

The decline in population has continued for 45 years despite several measures taken by the Japanese government like increasing financial support for families who are raising a child. In order to address the declining birthrate, the Japanese government has declared the period through 2030 as a "final opportunity to reverse the trend."According to the data, there were 6.81 boys and 6.48 million girls. As many as 3.09 million children were aged between 12-14 years while 2.13 million were zero to two years, showcasing a trend of fewer children being born. Japan births, fertility rates dropped to record low in 2025: Report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years


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Tokyo, (IANS): As the adoption of electric vechicles enters top gear globally amid rising petrol-diesel prices, Japanese auto-maker Nissan on Monday said it will invest $17.6 billion (2 trillion Yen) in developing new EVs and battery technology over the next five years.

Unveiling the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' plan, the company announced it will launch 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, aiming for 50 per cent electrification mix, by fiscal year 2030.

"We will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society," said Makoto Uchida, Nissan CEO.

Over the next 10 years, Nissan aims to deliver exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations while expanding its operations globally.

The vision supports Nissan's goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.

With the introduction of 20 new EV and e-POWER equipped models in the next five years, Nissan intends to increase its electrification sales mix across major markets by fiscal year 2026, including Europe by more than 75 per cent of sales, Japan by more than 55 per cent of sales, China by more than 40 per cent of sales and the US by 40 per cent of EV sales in fiscal year 2030.

"With our new ambition, we continue to take the lead in accelerating the natural shift to EVs by creating customer pull through an attractive proposition by driving excitement, enabling adoption and creating a cleaner world," said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Representing the next stage of Nissan's electrified future, the company also unveiled three new concept cars that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging.

Nissan aims to launch EV with its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by fiscal year 2028 and ready a pilot plant in Yokohama as early as fiscal year 2024.

With the introduction of breakthrough ASSB, Nissan will be able to expand its EV offerings across segments and offer more dynamic performance.

"By reducing charging time to one-third, ASSBs will make EVs more efficient and accessible. Further, Nissan expects ASSB to bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal year 2028 and aims to bring it further down to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity between EV and gasoline vehicles in the future," the company announced.

Nissan intends to increase its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by fiscal year 2026, and 130 GWh by fiscal year 2030.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from news agency feeds and has not been edited by The Morung Express.Source: IANS Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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World Athletics C'ships: United States wins three of four relay titles on final day in Tokyo

World Athletics C'ships: United State

okyo (Japan), September 21 (IANS) The United States underlined their sprinting power by claiming three out of four relay gold medals on the last day of the World Athletics Championships here on Sunday. Botswana delivered the day's surprise in the men's 4x400m relay, clocking 2 minutes 57.76 seconds to edge the Americans by just 0.07, as South Africa settled for bronze.

"I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather," said Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi. "I am happy to be crossing the finish line first. I am really grateful to have come home with two gold medals."

"We came here dreaming of becoming world champions. It took a lot of courage for me," teammate Letsile Tebogo added.

The U.S. women responded in style in the 4x400m relay, where Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's outstanding 47.82-second anchor secured victory in a championship record 3:16.61. Jamaica finished second in 3:19.25, with the Netherlands third in 3:20.18.

The Americans also triumphed in the women's 4x100m, winning in 41.75 seconds to narrowly beat Jamaica (41.79). Germany took bronze in 41.87, reports Xinhua.

"It's crazy to be going home with three gold medals. I added my name to the history books once again. I am right where I want to be," said Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.

In the men's 4x100m, Noah Lyles brought the baton home as the United States clinched gold in a world-leading 37.29. Canada finished second in 37.55, while the Netherlands set a national record of 37.81 to secure bronze.

Olyslagers wins women's high jump gold

Australia's Nicola Olyslagers won the women's high jump title on Sunday, clearing 2.00 meters to claim her first world crown on countback. The victory adds a long-awaited world title to Olyslagers' Olympic silver from Tokyo in 2021.

Poland's Maria Zodzik also went over 2.00m, setting a personal best to secure silver in her breakthrough on the global stage.

Reigning champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine and Serbia's rising talent Angelina Topic both cleared 1.97m to share the bronze medal.

American Hocker wins men's 5,000m title

American Cole Hocker stormed to victory in the men's 5,000 meters final at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday. The 24-year-old, the 1,500m gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, clocked 12 minutes 58.30 seconds to claim his first title from the world championships.

Hocked was disqualified from the 1,500m final and said he was confident ahead of the competition.

"I had a lot of bodies ahead of me, but I felt very strong, enough to pass them one by one," he said. "I felt like I raced perfectly today. The 5,000m is a whole different challenge. "

"Every time I run the 5,000m, I am pushed out of my comfort zone. The 1,500m is still my speciality, but for the next world championships, I want to run the 5k again. My goal was to win both, but I will settle for one."

Belgium's Isaac Kimeli followed close behind in 12:58.78 while France's Jimmy Gressier clinched bronze in 12:59.33 to add to his 10,000m title.

Kenya's Odira wins women's 800m with championship record

Kenya's Lilian Odira captured the women's 800 meters crown on Sunday, setting a championship record of one minute 54.62 seconds. The 26-year-old surged ahead in the final stretch to secure the title in a race where the top three athletes all dipped under one minute and 55 seconds.

"The 800m is always very tactical, I didn't have any expectations, I was just following the pace of the race," said Odira. "This is my first World Championships and I am really grateful to be leaving it as the world champion. "

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