Is Japan's slow birth rate a warning for Americans?
By laylomo
@laylomo (165)
United States
January 1, 2008 11:21pm CST
According to Reuters, Japan is expected to report fewer babies born in 2007, fearing the long-term risks the economy faces as its population ages at an unprecedented pace, as it will shrink Japan's workforce. Also, there is trouble ahead for the government to fund its ballooning pension needs. Families are delayed because of late-night business meetings, long working hours, and high cost of child care have put couples off having children.
Do you think that this phenomenon in Japan will be (or is) the same as it is in America? What do you predict the population of America will be, and what is your view of the looming social security problem?
2 people like this
4 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 08
I live in Canada and even though we are not at replacement levels (I was unable to get pregnant after marriage, but we adopted two) but it seems our government does not care. We still have abortion on demand, and embyronic stem research because our government believes the immigration will solve everything.
In Europe it is the same, no replacement levels, but no one cares because the population is not of the so called preferred group. Sure they care if the endangered population has black hair and brown skin, but not if the endangered have blond to brown hair and white skin. Our population in Canada was already at non-replacement levels, why did they have to wait until the Japanese started to go replacement levels before raising the alarm?
Americans think it is okay to have children, but other countries put monetary values above families.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
3 Jan 08
In a way it is, but its not just Japan. Its A LOT of western cultures and countries with some rather low birth rates. (below 2 is cause for some concern. below 1 is definite concern). Hopefully countries will re-adjust, but I really don't know. Some figures I've encountered put several countries as losing millions in population within the next 30, 40, 50 years. For one thing, it could mean more jobs and opportunities for others, but in other cases it means enormous shifts in economies, workforce, population, living areas, lifestyles.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Yes and no.Yes, like our Japanese cousins there are less future workers because the babyboomers didn't have as many children as their parents.And No.Unlike Japan, we are multi cultured and we are not as work driven as the Japanese. There are many young people who will never have a corporate job and they aren't waiting to have their children.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
2 Jan 08
I am no expert to predict the population of any country... but i think Japan's predicament should be a warning to all countries who are doing all they can to prevent their population to grow...
It is so sad that this thing has to happen to a country that is so rich in terms of history, technology, tradition, and culture... i hope that they would be able to find a solution to their problem...
