Running head: JAPANS AGING POPULATION

Japans Aging Population

Jeel Patel
University of Kentucky

JAPANS AGING POPULATION

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to inform Americans about Japans aging population. Japan has
been struggling for many years trying to fill in the gaps in the work force left by the aging
population. However, little attention has been given to the Japanese demographics. This research
informs the reader about Japanese culture and compares is to American culture. This research
explains the reasons behind Japan as the world's oldest population, ultra-low fertility rate among
Japanese women, and impact of declining population on economic growth. It shows many
different solutions for Japans demographic crisis.

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3
Japans Aging Population

Japans demographic issue has been a huge problem for the country. Japanss birthrate is
declining and the aging population is increasing. According to ABC News in Australia, Japan is
on track to lose about half its workforce by 2060, and with that, its status as an economic
superpower. Japan has the worlds oldest population with a median age of 46 years (France,
2005). The number of newborn babies born in Japan, 1.001 million, was lower than the number
of deaths, 1.269 million, in 2014 (France, 2005). This means that there are more people dying
than being born. There are many causes that have contributed to this issue. This is effecting the
country in a tremendous way. The government and the people are working together to find a
solution for the low fertility rate, shortage of workers and aging population that is affecting the
countries economy and social structure.
Japan's population began falling in 2004 and is now aging faster than any other on the
planet. More than 22% of Japanese are already 65 or older (Harada, 2012). High cost in childcare
and education has had a huge effect on the decline in the birth rate. Japans Ministry of Welfare
is calling for companies to support working mothers day care and child care leave (Pettinger,
2013). The lack of support for mothers discourages pregnancy. Japan also has 99% literacy rate
which is also another reason for the low birth rate (UNESCO, 2015). Japan has the highest life
expectancy rate in the world. Japanese are expected to have a life span of 83.10 years (UNESCO,
2015).
The 1960s postwar baby boom led to a large, young working population the helped
Japans economic boost (Scot, 2012). The government introduced a universal health insurance
and invested a lot in public health in 1961 (Scot, 2012). They provided free treatment for
tuberculosis and cut childhood deaths through vaccinations and also by providing treatment of

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intestinal and respiratory infections. The Japanese cultures well balanced nutritional diet and
importance of hygiene has contributed to the high life expectancy.
The effects on society can be very harmful if any action is not taken. There will be a
shortage of workers in the future if the birth rate continues to decline. The numbers of consumers
will also decrease which will hurt the economy. The aging population will increase the
dependency ratio. This means there will be more people claiming pension benefits and less
people working and paying taxes. This could cause the government to raise the taxes on the
shrinking workforce.
Japan will face a shortage of nursing care workers as the aging population accelerates in
the future. In 2013, there were 1.77 million nursing care workers but the nation will need 2.53
million nursing care workers by 2025 (The Japan Times, 2015). That is 800,000 more workers
needed over the coming decade. If the current pace of number of nursing care workers continues
Japan will fall short of demand by 380,000 workers. Recruiting nursing care workers has become
tough because the job has a reputation for being physically demanding but low paying. The
government has been takins steps to help secure enough nursing care workers to meet the
growing demand.
It is expected that around 40 percent of Japans population will be 65 years of age or
older by 2060 (Pettinger, 2013). This will cost Japans government because the social security
expenditure will increase. In 2010, Japan spent 675 billion dollars on social security (Harada,
2012). To continue to provide social security to seniors they will need to improve their economy.
The low birth rate will mean the average worker will have to pay higher taxes to support seniors.
Japan is taking this aging population into consideration and is trying to improve the
situation. They are struggling to replacing aging workers. Japan needs more foreign immigratnts

JAPANS AGING POPULATION

and cheaper day care centers for working moms. Japan accepts only 15,000 new Japanese
citizens by naturalization per year (Hayward, 2013). They need to accept foreign nurses and
workers to keep up with the demand for the aging population. Companies are looking to older
people, younger women, immigrants, and even robots. Japan is looking towards robots to fill the
gaps of the aging population. Robots perform repetitive and difficult tasks quickly and are
dependable in the workplace. Japan has been the leader in factory robots for decades. Reducing
costs is key to expanding the use of service robots. They could easily assist workers at nursing
homes.
The Japanese population is aging so rapidly. Today, the working age population (15-64)
still makes up the largest portion of the total population in Japan. But this population is burdened
by the aging population. The working age is expected to fall from 80 million in 2013 to 44.18
million by 2060 (Nohara, 2015). The shrinking population will be expected to take care and
financially support the elderly population.
The Abe Cabinet hopes to transform Japanese society to make it easier for women to live,
work, and raise children simultaneously. The Abe Cabinet stated The Womenomics Policy
Package outlines six categories of womens demands that have to be met and suggests solutions
for each demand: (1) want to give birth to, raise, and care for children (and the elderly) safely,
(2) want to participate actively in the workplace, (3) want to be involved with and/or start
businesses in the community, (4) want a healthy and comfortable life, (5) want a safe and secure
life, (6) want to be connected with people and information.
Japanese culture is very different from American culture. American culture is diverse and
a melting pot of cultures primarily western and others such as African, Latin American, Asian,

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Polynesian, and Native American. Japan is very personal and they want to preserve their culture
and traditions and thats one of the reason they limit the number of immigrations.
Japans life expectancy is around 4 years higher than United States. One major reason for
this difference is the health lifestyle. 25% Americans eat some type of fast food every day. They
also eat 31% more packaged food than fresh food (IFIC, 2012). This is really unhealthy and
effects the life expectancy drastically. In Japan eating habit are very different. About 80% of
Japanese usually have dinner at home with their families (Japan Information Network, 2002).
Japan is one of the largest economies in the world but is going to struggle it wants to
continues being on top of the leaderboard. Japans population is aging quickly and Japan needs to
quickly find a solution. Instead of increasing pressure on the working population they need need
the soften the immigration policies and make it easier for women to raise children. The
administration and the general population are cooperating to discover an answer for the low
fertility rate, deficiency of laborers and aging population that is influencing the nations economy
and social structure.

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7
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