The population of seniors reached 25.6 million, a record high, in 2005, up 0.54 percent from the year before, according to a Cabinet Office's white paper on the aging society.

The day before, the Health Ministry announced the country's birthrate in 2005 dropped to 1.25 babies per woman, a record low, down from 1.29 in 2003 and 2004.

The figures pose serious concerns for the country as it has to tackle a labor shortage and eroding tax base.

The white paper portrayed a grimmer picture for the future, saying that roughly one in four people will be aged 65 or older in 2015, and about one in three in 2050. The elderly population is expected to continue rising until 2020, but the total population is expected to decrease, pushing the ratio of the elderly up.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 10, 2006
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