If you have ever visited Japan, you might be surprised that many old people are still working. Today, the birth rate in Japan is at it’s lowest rate in the world (Dillinger, 2017).  More than 25% of Japanese people are over 65 years old. It is one of the biggest issues in Japan, but it seems that the government doesn’t seriously face this issue. Finally, in 2020, more than 50% of women will be over 50 years old. In case you missed it… ONE-HALF of women will be over 50 years old! According to Masashi Kawai, in 2024, one third of the entire Japanese population will be over 65 years old, and in 2033, one third of homes will be empty…

The difference between other countries, which also have low birth rates, is that Japan has a very strict policy for accepting immigrants. Hong Kong’s birthrate is also very low, but many Chinese from mainland move to Hong Kong. Some countries in Europe are low too. However, they accept immigrants and they are part of the E.U, so people in E.U can easily move to low birth rate countries.

On the Japanese government website, their measure is “Sankyuu Papa Project” (Let dads take maternity leave as well.)  The definition of Sankyuu Papa Protect is taking more than a half day off or a whole day off. A “HALF DAY”! Do they really think that giving dads a “half-day-off” will help raise the birth rate!? No way! Even mothers hesitate taking maternity leave, because they feel guilty and are peer-pressured by coworkers to not take any days off..

The Japanese government has an amazing medical insurance system. People can see doctors easily and very cheap. Especially for seniors, it is very cheap. They can see doctors for a few dollars, so some seniors go to clinic everyday, it’s like a hobby or a place for having social interaction with other seniors. This leads longer longevity but at the same time tax monies are being overly consumed.

Let’s see how the Japanese government will deal with this situation.