TOKYO

The latest population census in Japan shows that the number of people in the country fell 0.7 percent in the five years to Oct. 1 last year -- a decline of nearly one million.

Kyodo News reported Friday that the preliminary governmental report displayed a decline in the population to 127,110,047 from 128,057,352 in 2010.

It was the first decline since the inaugural survey in 1920.

The report stated that 39 of Japan's 47 prefectures saw their population fall, while 33 recorded an acceleration in the rate of decline.

According to the United Nations, the figure makes Japan the 10th largest populated country in the world; however, it is the only country whose population is declining among the top 20 countries.

Kyodo reported Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as saying it is "crucial to establish a social structure to accommodate", adding that the country will take measures to raise the birth rate.

Although the overall figure was down, Japan's capital Tokyo and its vicinity recorded a population increase.

According to the report, Japanese families are also downsizing, with the average number in a household falling to a record low of 2.38 from 2.46.