Ageing Japan (Full Version)

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Level -> Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 5:31:08 PM)

I got this from an email update from The Economist:
 
"Japan's ageing, shrinking population—the result of a falling birth rate and high life expectancy—has long been a worry. Preliminary figures from a 2005 census, released at the end of June, confirmed the worst: with 21% of its population aged 65 or over, Japan has shuffled past Italy to become the world's oldest country. The swelling ranks of the silver-haired present Japan with a range of problems, such as a dwindling workforce and a rising demand for pensions. "



Vancouver_cinful -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 5:41:01 PM)

I think that many of the young Japanese are leaving Japan, which must also affect this. Here in Vancouver, BC, we have guite a huge influx of young Asian people, from Japan, China, Vietnam...etc. Also the Phillipines, and Korea more recently.

They come over to study English, and then stay.

I wonder if other countries along the Pacific Rim are showing the same trend towards an ageing, shrinking, population? Interesting thought, Level.



meatcleaver -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 5:53:50 PM)

I love Japan and I've done my bit to expand the population there. I just wish I could master the language because I'd love to live there but that would only make matters worse for Japan. Instead I make do with several trips a year.

I think a lot of the fall has to do with high standards of living and young women shunning the traditional female role of mother and housekeeper, prefering to strike out on their own and who can blame them.



LotusSong -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 5:57:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vancouver_cinful



They come over to study English, and then stay.


Immigrants . Studying English???  Don't they know that  you guys are supposed to be expected to speak Japanese or at least print everything in two languages or provide interpreters.. and don't forget...alter the testing regulations??




Estring -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 6:37:51 PM)

Japan is not the only country having this problem. Most European countries are in the same boat. This stems from the dopey overpopulation hysteria that was popular in the 70's. This is the result. That's what can happen when you fall for a cause based on hysteria and not facts. This is the real "inconvient truth". 



Alumbrado -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 7:00:07 PM)

I have posited for a long time now that the modens and the 'little emperors' would have a negative impact on Japan...and I note with interest the return of nationalistic factors that haven't been present since WWII.



Vancouver_cinful -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 7:18:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LotusSong

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vancouver_cinful



They come over to study English, and then stay.


Immigrants . Studying English???  Don't they know that  you guys are supposed to be expected to speak Japanese or at least print everything in two languages or provide interpreters.. and don't forget...alter the testing regulations??


Tell them that. LOL

I have a lot of respect for these youngsters. They move away from everything they know, they risk being taken in by unscrupulous people who take advantage of their lack of familiarity with our language and culture, and they learn a new language as different from their own, as can be.

I see the majority as hard-working, brave young souls. Certianly they are taking risks I never took at their age.



Level -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/14/2006 7:21:40 PM)

Cin, I tend to agree. I imagine a large percentage do Canada (and America, etc) proud.
 



NorthernGent -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/15/2006 2:54:10 AM)

Meatcleaver,

I agree, Japan is a great place. The reason for the ageing populaion is probably due to a multitude of reasons. One of them being that this generation of Japanese women are not as inclined to find a partner. Many of them have traditionally been second-class citizens but now they have taken the leap to taking control of their own lives rather than what society expects of them. Many are just not marrying and are enjoying the freedom of being able to holiday in the big European cities rather than sit at home with children. Add to this the culture of long working hours and modern day Japan is just not conducive to marriage/children etc. In Japan, on average , a woman is still paid 25% of what a man earns for doing exactly the same job. Maybe if the Government did something about this Japanese women would feel less like second-class citizens and more open to marriage - after all, it is supposed to be an equal partnership.

Estring,

As a European, I can tell you you are wrong about why Western Europe has an ageing population. There are a multitude of reasons that could never be explained in one post. These reasons include: the decline of church influence, increased individual freedom, the culture of globalisation which demands individualism, longer working hours (particularly in Britain) and better education which allows people to make decisions for themselves.

NorthernGent



babygirl005 -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/15/2006 11:09:23 AM)

Northern Gent,
We have all those same things happening here in the US and we don't have the same birth rate decline as in Europe.

Estring



NorthernGent -> RE: Ageing Japan (7/15/2006 11:42:41 AM)

babygirl,

Well, the church has a much bigger influence in the US. No offence intended to the religious but, as a result, marriage/family is of much more importance than in secular nations such as Britain and France.

Maybe if you compare the lives of people who live East Coast and West Coast such as Seattle and New York to some of your states/cities inland there will be an obvious difference driven by church influence.

I'm not familiar with US demographics but you also have a large hispanic population. Do they tend to have large families?

NorthernGent




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