[Understanding the depth of NEWS through books] The declining birthrate is not slowing down at all, and rural areas are quickly dying out. ◇ ◇ ◇ “Regions are melting” by Noriji Kamiyama In 2008, Japan's population reached 128 million. However, this year there are 122.85 million people, a decrease of just under 6 million people. On the contrary, as of June 1st of this year, there has been a decrease of 530,000 people compared to the same period last year (according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).