Comments on: Japan’s Slow-Motion Demographic Catastrophe

By: BigAl

BigAl — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:44:18 +0000

1) Japan is worried about where its resources and supplies will come from. It is going to have to decrease its population in a resource scarce world... so that is all well and good.

2) What is wrong with economic growth being zero. When there are half the people they will each have twice the space to live in although they earn the same GDP. And if you have lived there you will know that most Japanese would probably accept the tradeoff.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:03:11 +0000

I agree they will seek to change their immigration policy as part of their strategy.

What is interesting about Japan is the lack of consumer spending. The baby boomers are seeking to hold onto their cash reserves at all cost. Teenage girls are a different story!

The changing demographics means that employees are becoming more and more accepting of older female employees. History had it difficult to get a job after 30, but with this shift it is now becoming more and more common.

It is also not unheard of for 3 generations of family to be living in the one house. Unheard of in Australia.

By: Kev

Kev — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:46:15 +0000

It may be good, it may be bad....it will probably be a combination of both.

But - firstly, if there is an overpopulation problem in Japan, they are resolving the issue themselves accidently or otherwise.

And they have come to this conclusion themselves without interference.

So why not back off and see what happens - it's their choice if people are reproducing.

By: Marco

Marco — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Every nation on the planet should follow Japans lead and let populations plummet, 6.5bn people on this planet is FAR to many. We have the world at a level of unsustainability and are beginning to feel the wrath of Mother nature already.

100s of millions will starve going forward as the Oil age is recognised as producing a population bubble.

Good work Japan, lead by example.

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:26:13 +0000

With our global food shortages, increasing world population, peak in oil supply, massive pollition and climate change looming, the most sensible thing a nation can do is decrease their population growth rate. There obviously will be some economic pain, but ultimately these problems need to be addressed to possibly survive as a species! The economy is a means to support us, and not a means in itself!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 10 May 2008 08:42:07 +0000

I agree with John. Having lived there for over 9 years, I know they are not the quickest when it comes to change, but, I believe that Japan can and will change their immigration laws to deal with these issues.

By: John

John — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:42:36 +0000

Hate to be rash, but it's their own fault. There's hundreds of millions of people all over the world that would kill for a chance to live in Japan instead of being impoverished in the third world countries, but Japan's culture of national protectionism prohibits nearly all immigration.

By: William Williams

William Williams — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:02:03 +0000

I've noticed that mixed marriages in Japan tend to have more children. Perhaps Japan should import spouses, not just workers.