Japan only has 1.4 children born per woman. And in order to sustain the population it needs to be 2.1, and in 2050 the Japanese population is supposed to be 2/3 the size that it is now.
2006-08-14 18:42:19 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
People just don't want to have kids. This year is the first year that the population is shrinking. The government needs to do something to encourage people to have kids.
2006-08-14 20:51:30 · answer #1 · answered by Adam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You pose a very good question, one I have often thought about myself. I think the real question is do we need something to be done about it? Only having 128 million people is pretty small. Many Japanese are also taking notice to the opportunities available in America or other English-speaking countries. This is mostly due to the fact that all Japanese students are required to take three years of English in Junior High, and if they make it to high school (most of them) three more years of required English. After six years of English, the government has made it so easy for them to try to make it in America, if they so desire.
But, it's not all about the immigrating to other countries. Rather, that only adds to the fact that the fertility rate is pretty low. There's likely many reasons why this is so, and I could delve into them if I truly knew what they were. Unfortunately, I don't. But it may have something to do with the crowdedness of the country.
Personally, I don't think it is that crowded/overpopulated. I think they could easily sustain 140 million, if it ever came to that. They're doing just fine as it is now. It's very easy to answer the crowdedness question. A lot of the population is concentrated around the big cities of Japan. People are moving to urban areas, and leaving the rural areas. Just like USA, we could easily sustain a population of 1 billion people, if we would actually develop into the rural areas more. But just like Japan, the cost of living would go up. And I don't think the decreasing population is helping anyone. Then again, I don't think it is hindering the country either.
What can be done is in little amounts. I don't mind the education system when it comes to forcing English down their throats. While I do have some gripes about the education system as a whole, I think that their society is on the right track in growth and development, and I don't think the population decreasing is such a bad thing. I also don't believe that the population will be 2/3 in 2050. I know where they get that number from, but I highly doubt that the population will continue to decrease at such a rate as currently projected.
I think the bottom line is that we need to remember how they are doing now, and how they will do with a loss of people. That means a lack of work force, but it could mean a low unemployment rate, as jobs will be easier to get. I’m saying that the unemployed could suddenly find getting a job easier, now. Will it hinder the growth of the country? I doubt it. They can still be considered early developers, and there’s enough great people working for the country to adapt to any new ideas, or ways of living, if need be. In the end, it matters not what the numbers of the population is, but rather what that population can do for themselves. The Japanese are very close as a society and will be fine 40 years from now, even without the same number of people as today.
2006-08-15 10:51:24 · answer #2 · answered by Thardus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just saw Black Dog's list.
What is up with Singapore? (No need to answer.)
Hopefully immigration is not the solution.
I realize cultural diversity is good but as a Japanese I don't think bringing in people from foreign countries is the best solution.
It may evolve the culture but the original culture that so many Japanese treasure will cease to exist.
Very good question indeed.
2006-08-15 17:03:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 years ago, researchers and commentators on TV was saying Japan should accept immigrants more to supplement job market.
But today, I don't see there big change occurred.
Today they say, Japan will overcome many issues related with the population decreasing by high techs..
You know Korea is more serious situation.
2006-08-15 02:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by Joriental 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Provide more incentives. Lower cost of education and child care. Increase tax for childless citizens beyond 45 years old unless certified infertile. Encourage the celebrities to give birth.
2006-08-18 06:20:04 · answer #5 · answered by CherryBam.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other countries that have the low total fertility rate have done what? Only immigration?
2006-08-15 08:04:12 · answer #6 · answered by Black Dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immigration is the only solution, but that's hard for the Japanese to get their heads around.
2006-08-15 03:05:55 · answer #7 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now, Japan only has 1.3/woman. Also, Taiwan and Rep. of Korea has lower rate which is 1.1
2006-08-18 02:28:12 · answer #8 · answered by cardero699 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, are they really dying that fast?
I'd say it's a good thing - the world's population is out of control already, we should all cut back (or at least adopt more often).
2006-08-15 20:42:40 · answer #9 · answered by Veronica 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
immigration would not be a good idea japan would lose all of its niceitys ,coz japan is so pure ,,thats why its such a nice place to visit
2006-08-18 07:10:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋