Japan's shrinking populace accentuates the country's elderly predicament
Japan Faces a Declining Population and its Consequences
Japan is grappling with a declining population, a trend that has been ongoing for the past 16 years. As of January 1, 2025, the country's population stood at over 124.3 million, with foreigners accounting for nearly 3% of the total population.
The primary causes of this demographic shift are low birth rates, an aging population, and lifestyle factors such as high living costs and work pressure. In 2024, Japan recorded only about 686,000 births, the lowest since records began in 1899, exacerbating the situation. Concurrently, approximately 30% of the population is aged 65 or older, a figure that continues to rise.
The consequences of this decline are far-reaching. Japan's shrinking workforce and increasing numbers of elderly people are aggravating economic and social challenges. In rural areas, the issue is particularly pronounced, with many abandoned homes ("akiya") being left vacant as younger generations migrate to cities and elderly residents pass away without successors to inherit or maintain the properties.
To address this issue, the Japanese government has pledged family-friendly measures to try to reverse the trend of declining population. These include expanding free daycare, increasing childcare support, promoting work-life balance, and more flexible working hours to encourage childbirth. The government is also considering initiatives to manage and repurpose abandoned homes, and encouraging immigration to supplement the workforce, though political resistance and the rise of anti-immigration sentiment complicate these approaches.
Experts warn that without significant changes, Japan's population could fall to around 87 million by 2070, with profound economic and social repercussions. The issue is seen as a "quiet emergency" by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and remains a high priority for policy action.
It's worth noting that the number of foreign residents in Japan has reached a record high of 3.67 million, though this inflow remains insufficient to offset the demographic decline. The anti-immigrant party has risen in Japan, with a slogan of "Japanese First," falsely claiming that foreigners enjoy more welfare benefits than Japanese nationals.
As Japan navigates this demographic shift, it faces not only economic and social challenges but also the need to adapt to an aging society and support workforce participation by elderly or women. The future of Japan's population and its society hangs in the balance.
The decline in Japan's population raises concerns about the future of mental-health and overall health-and-wellness of its citizens, considering the increasing numbers of elderly people and the strain on the healthcare system. Improvements in science and innovation, especially in the field of healthcare, could potentially help alleviate the strain and improve the health of the aging population. Encouraging immigration and immigration policies that support the integration of foreigners may also contribute to Society's wellbeing, providing a more diverse workforce and offering fresh perspectives on addressing the country's issues.
