According to the agency, the number of applicants for police recruitment exams nationwide fell from 136,845 in fiscal 2010 to 43,059 in fiscal 2024 -- a 70% drop. Over the same period, the hiring ratio fell from 9.5 to 3.5. Officials cite population decline and the perception that police academies and workplaces are harsh. Starting around 2040, roughly 8,000 employees are expected to retire each year, deepening the personnel shortage. With too few people pursuing a career in blue, the NPA hopes that reaching young people through short videos and manga will open their eyes to the appeal of becoming a police officer.