According to the results of a demographic survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the population of Fukuoka Prefecture has fallen for the first time since 1971. The total population of Japanese nationals in the prefecture as of January 1 fell 0.01% to 5,063,272, with 43 of 60 municipalities reporting population decreases. The decline has been attributed to the natural population decrease (i.e., when the number of deaths outstrips the number of births) outpacing the number of people relocating to the area primarily for work. Fukuoka had been one of the few places in Japan whose population had yet to decrease amid a nationwide trend of depopulation. Meanwhile, the population of Fukuoka City increased by 10,788—the largest uptick among Japanese cities.
Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 7/2
