Japan:A case study of a country experiencing specific patterns of overall population change (ageing and declining population)
Physical environment and its influence on population size and distribution
Reasons for ageing and declining population
93% of population live in densely populated urban areas
70% of Japan is mountainous however lots of this is terraced to aid farming. Theses mountainous areas are far less densely populated
Climate varies by region
There is a tropical climate in the South causing high population density in areas like Tokyo
97% of Japans population lives on 6 out of the 6800 islands
Government responses
Positive implications of the ageing and declining population
Demography
Culture
Population (2016)= 126,960,000
Population growth rate= 0.7%
Birth rate= 7.9 per 1000
Death rate= 10.2 per 1000
Fertility rate= 1.46
Largest ethnicity= Japanese
Median age = 46.7 (expected to reach 53.2 by 2050)
1.5% of population come from other nations and most of these people are from China
Caring for the elderly is a big part of Japans core family values
Many women emigrate abroad for work/education
Young people work so hard that they dont have time to date
Anti-migrant sentiment
50% of married couples are not having regular sex
21% of men said it this is because they are too tired after coming home from work
23% of women said this is because sex is too bothersome
Mass emigration of young people from Japan
Excellent healthcare
By 2050, it is estimated that 900,000 people will emigrate from Japan per year
10.2% of their GDP was spent on healthcare in 2013
Contraception is widely available and used
Declining birth rate
Traditionally, people do not have children out of wedlock. However, only 62% of women and 72% of men have never been married
Women are more focused on their career than children
Schooling is very expensive
Technology
People are becoming more focused on technology and less focused on social interactions
Companion robots are growing in popularity and are becoming inceasingly realistic
With a diet high in vegetables and starches and low in fat means that fewer people are suffering from cardiovascular diseases and obesity
Negative implications of the ageing and declining population
There is little air pollution due to the popularity of nuclear and hydroelectric power
Older people are looking after the very oldest
25% of their GDP was spent on social security and pensions for the elderly
A demographic debt means that it is hard to stimulate economic growth
40% of all public spending is spent on the elderly
Major industries in Japan have to outsource work
In order to combat a low fertility rate, Japan will have to attract 650,000 working age immigrants a year
Not enough people to fulfil all needed jobs=
Due to globalisation, the secondary sector is booming and bringing in lots of money
Growth of the grey market due to increased demand for products and leisure activities for the elderly
Leading to major developments in the creation of artificial intelligence
Schools shutting
Less pressure on schools=higher quality teaching
Encouraging an increase in birth rates
The creation of a government agency designed to encourage women to have children
"New angel plan" was introduced to increase the birth rate by providing free childcare and decreased working hours for parents
Economic policies
The increase of consumption tax from 5% to 10% to help pay for the elderly
The implementation of 'womenecomics', a policy made to encourage companies to hire more women into leaderships roles to prevent them from migrating