What will Japan be like in 50 years?

Answer 1

Japan's population, which peaked at 128 million in 2004, is falling. If current trends continue, it will drop below 90 million within 50 years and fall by two-thirds to 40 million within 100 years. As Japan's population falls, many people say the country's future is bleak. The general mood is pessimistic. Dire predictions include a massive decline in economic growth. If current trends continue, Japan will inevitably witness an unprecedented population decline.
Radical change is required. The Japanese people must not shirk from addressing this national issue.
With gross debt exceeding 170% of GDP, measures to reduce Japan’s large government budget deficit have become increasingly urgent.
Income inequality and relative poverty among the working-age population in Japan have risen to levels above the OECD average. This trend is partially explained by labour market dualism – the increasing proportion of non-regular workers, who are paid significantly less than regular workers.

Answer 2

Well...sorry to be the contrarian here, but I do not see gloom and doom for Japan. This is a country of people who have seen so much and always found a way to survive and prosper. In my crystal ball, they will continue to adapt to the needs of the global society while remaining true to themselves and the balance they have struck with Nature as a whole.
The rich will always get richer, the poor will always continue to gradually attain a better living standard though it is rarely an overnight phenomena...nor even a 50 year phenomena.
Technology is the most difficult thing to predict, yet I think that we may see (in all the developed societies) a continued adoption of labor saving technologies. It is in question, however, whether or not we will continue to see an increase in meaningless entertainment technology or a decline...hopefully the latter. No matter what, Japan will handle it well...she is built of very strong stuff.

Answer 3

Well, I think world problems will buffet Japan, but as long as there isn't a nuclear war, it will survive. Right now, things are swinging toward the military side, so I think in 50 years, barring any catastrophe, Japan will be swinging back to a more peaceful mien.

World problems such as food and gas prices will cause huge changes in Japan. I believe they will advance greatly in the energy field. Cars will be solar-powered. The big cities will get smaller, and the smaller towns will start to get bigger, as people realize that land is a PRACTICAL asset for growing food. Also, people won't be willing to travel as far because of gas prices (and battery constraints), so they'll shop more in the smaller, local shops (which will cause the local shops to grow a little bit).

Although, I bet the internet will become huge. As more and more Japanese learn to type, communications will be even more efficient. If you think the internet is huge now, wait 50 years! I bet a lot of shopping will be done that way. Since the post office is funking out, maybe Kuroneko-yama and friends will take on a role like the Wells Fargo Wagon. Perhaps they'll have a central pick-up in the small towns, rather than home delivery.

There will continue to be a focus on healthy bodies and healthy minds. If Japan has many more "poor" showings in the Olympics, it's going to pump up even further. (Look at Hiromichi-Oniisan's popularity lately! I think part of that is a trend to promote more sports and activity. Wii is also a symptom of this.)

Just off the top of my head. I'm sure it'll change in ways no one can foresee!

Answer 4

To be honest... I seriously doubt it will change that much. I've been looking back at some older post-war stuff, and I really don't think that much has changed socially since then.

The economy has grown stronger but the mood of the country seems not to have been altered all that much. I think that the peace clause to the constitution will eventually be repealed, as it is inevitable in the course of history, but it will not be for quite a few years from now, and even then, I think (and hope) that war won't happen in my lifetime...although you can never know for sure, because things can happen quickly.

Other than that I think Japan will become more "just another Asian country" economically as the population shrinks, but I don't think that matters that much in the grand scheme of things.

Answer 5

kinda sad position I think. The population will continue to dwindle. Japan really needs to rethink alot of the its systems.
Everytown I have been to has a run down primary school and there are always new retirement homes, and hospitals being built.
vacant smaller indervidual stores are covering the country as department stores take over.
Country towns are withering as people move to the big cities for work. Japan has had its peak, now the people are starting to die off and not enough children being born.
Japanese baby boomers are not having children, and the youth of today dont give a stuff about the future. This has the elderly generation worried. What will become of Japan? I dont know. it will continue for a while. At least when all all the grannies have gone they can pull the houses down and make parks and bring the rivers back.
I also think eveything will be automatic, leaving everyone braindead, ipod in our earlobes and cellphones in our throats. lol. and people will have robopets instead of real children. oh wait, thats already happening. lol

EDIT- I walked past a poster with a quote from a politician "このまま日本は危ないです" I thought it was interesting.
"At this rate, Japan is in trouble" Just reminded me of your question

Answer 6

Japan will be depopulating society, and forced to accept foreign workers than ever. With increasing naturalized immigrants, Japan's society might be made a difference from the today. To live in harmony with them, the society will create a new sense of values.

I think people will cope appropriately with social change, as did with rapid changes of the Meiji Restoration and post WWII.

Answer 7

Somethings will remain the same because of the culture and history.Modernization will be mainly the frame work of Japan.
The cities will become more Americanized.
I am sure there will be some kind of back to the roots movement to keep the culture going.
I would like to be here to see it.

Answer 8

Japan in 50 years will be like how the U.S. will be in 100 years... There won't be flying cars and such as there are already problems with fuel and cars. Airplanes are already expensive..I think that if the world doesn't end by then, there will be a trillion people with electronics walking down the street. There will be bald guys with "electronic hair" and short people with "electronic legs." I-pods and Mp3 players will be the size of a grain of salt.... When you want a song to play, stop, pause, etc. all you have to do is say it.... There will be a phone button attached to our necks. Whenever we get a call, we will automatically know it... LOL

Answer 9

I'm too tired to think about it too much, but I do think that within that time Japan will have a major, catastrophic earthquake and maybe the terrain will not be the same and maybe some parts of it will not be liveable......I wonder everytime I feel an earthquake begin....."Is this THE ONE?" I mean look at all the earthquakes that have been occurring in Indonesia.

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Cute video above from Jay!

J, you mean the plane with Japan Airlines at 1:35? If you read the description of the video it is a farewell to their friend who is leaving Japan........don't tell me it was only coincidence that you chose it! すごいね！

Answer 10

The 51st state of the US... Nah... just kidding.

There will be a tremendous gap between the rich and the poor more than ever.
Since there will be fewer younger generation, Japan will have a very big elderly single population without social security or eldercares.

And then, eventually Tokyo will be a ghost town...