With Japan’s low birthrate, the nation's population is forecast to fall from 126.15 million in 2020 to 87 million in 2070 — even with an influx of foreign residents.Japan has created a new path to citizenship for people who are at least 1/8 Japanese and speak the language. The new law, which was passed by the Japanese Diet on May 17, 2023, is an attempt to boost the country's population as the birthrate continues to decline. Under the new law, people who can prove that they are at least 1/8 Japanese and can speak the language will be eligible to apply for citizenship after living in Japan for five years. Previously, people who were not born in Japan had to live in the country for at least 10 years to be eligible for citizenship.
The new law has been welcomed by some Japanese people who are concerned about the country's declining birthrate. The birthrate in Japan has been below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman since the 1980s. This has led to a shrinking population, which is putting a strain on the country's economy and social welfare system. The new law is seen as a way to attract more people to Japan and help to boost the population.
However, the new law has also been criticized by some who argue that it is discriminatory. They argue that it is unfair to give people who are at least 1/8 Japanese an easier path to citizenship than people who are not. They also argue that the law could lead to an increase in racial discrimination in Japan. Despite the criticism, the new law is expected to have a significant impact on Japan's population. It is estimated that the law could bring in up to 1 million new citizens over the next 10 years. This would help to boost the country's population and help to address the challenges posed by the declining birthrate.