case study Japan-population and the environment

total population Japan 2019

126.3 million (11th largest globally)

population context

one of the world’s oldest populations with one of the world’s lowest birth and fertility rates

country is very mountainous and population is very highly concentrated in city area

what percentage of residents live within city areas (tokyo and osaka)

92%

what percentage of the island is mountainous

70%

what percentage of the land is suitable for farming

20%

resources- food

archipelagic nature of Japan means it is a seafaring nation with strong fishing industry

• well developed marine aquaculture industry

• still has to import lots of food to meet demands however

resources- fossil fuels

small amounts of fossil fuel and mineral deposits

birth rate

7/1000

death rate

11/1000

what stage of the dtm is japan in

stage 5- in decline, post industrial service economy

what percentage is japan’s population expected to decline by by 2050

20%

cost of education (impact on decision to have children)

cost of education has been steadily rising whilst wages have stayed relatively the same
on average, putting a single child through high school and uni costs 10 million yen (100k usd)

contributors to japan’s ageing population

low fat diets (fewer obesity and heart disease problems)

excellent healthcare, sanitation and high living standards

later marriages decreases size of child-bearing window

women receive good education so are more likely to be career focused and have fewer children

contraception is widely accessible and used

what percentage of Japan’s GDP is used to pay for pensions

10%

what does an ageing population mean for Japan’s healthcare system? (+how many workers is there expected to be a shortfall of by 2025)

more pressure on healthcare systems

a shortfall of 370,000 workers

effect of ageing population on NGO’s (non governmental organisations)

more pressure on them to care for elderly,

economic benefits of ageing population

more hospitals specialising in care for elderly (more jobs and new ways of income)

increased demand for tourism and leisure activities among the elderly

increased embracing and investment into ai + robot carers to assist the elderly (e.g. robot pets, bionic limbs to aid mobility, assistive robots)- such developments are already said to be worth $2billion usd to the economy

responses of government

raise taxes to help support ageing population

raising retirement age

encouragement of automation to replace shrinking workforce

pro-natal population policies

plus one policy (2009)

encouraged parents to have more children by increasing paid maternity leave, child benefit payments and cheaper healthcare/childcare for better work-life balance

increase in tax

raised consumption tax in 2019 by 10% (to help support ageing population)

increased retirement age to..?

will be raised to 65 (from 62) in 2025

2019 immigration control and refugee recognition act

opened japan’s doors to lower-skilled foreign workerss

skilled workers are invited on a temporary “guest worker” basis (unaccompanied by family) for an initial five year stay