Population projection based on high variant assumption indicates that the total fertility rate will turn upward beginning 1997, and when it reaches 1.85 by the year 2030, it will maintain its level. The population projection based on low variant assumption shows that the current year's declining trend will continue until the year 2005 when it reaches 1.28, and thereafter, shows slight upward movement. It is projected that even after the year 2030 it will cease at the 1.38 level. The results of the future population projection will be examined.
The Arrival of an Era of the Diminishing Population
According to the 1995 National Census, the starting point of the population projection, the gross population of Japan was 125,570,000. From the findings of the population projection based on medium assumption, the population will gradually increase and reach 26,890,000 at the year 2000. It will then reach a peak population of 127,780,000 at the year 2007. Thereafter, it will continue to decline for a long period of time (see Figure 3) . At 2017 the populatlion will nearly return to the present level. By 2050 it is projected that it will diminish to 100,500,000. Furthermore, by the year 2051, as a reference projection, and thereafter, the population will continue to decline, and in 2100 it is predicted that the population will be sealed at 67,370,000.
