Japan is experiencing a sharp demographic shift, with a record number of centenarians, including the world’s oldest person, but an alarmingly declining birthrate.
While the country celebrates its elders, this growing aging population combined with a shrinking younger workforce presents a serious economic and social challenge as reported by Breitbart. Despite government efforts to reverse the trend, the country’s future remains uncertain as it faces one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.
Key Facts:
- As of September 1, 2024, Japan has 95,119 centenarians, with 88% being women.
- Japan’s oldest person, Tomiko Itooka, is 116 years old, and the oldest man is 110-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno.
- Japan’s population over 65 makes up 29.3% of the total population, the highest proportion in the world.
- Japan’s population has been steadily declining for 13 years, dropping by 595,000 people in 2024 alone.
- The fertility rate is 1.2 births per woman, far below replacement levels, with birth rates hitting a record low.
The Rest of The Story:
Japan continues to see a rise in centenarians, with 95,119 people over the age of 100, an increase of nearly 3,000 from the previous year. Among them is Tomiko Itooka, who at 116 is the oldest living person and received her Guinness World Record certificate on the country’s Respect for the Aged Day.
We were delighted to present Tomiko Itooka with her certificate for being the oldest living person earlier today.
She's 116 years and 116 days old. pic.twitter.com/v7nFw6Ftm3
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 16, 2024
While Itooka’s age is a remarkable milestone, Japan’s centenarians are overwhelmingly female, with women comprising 88% of this group. Kiyotaka Mizuno, Japan’s oldest man at 110, credits his longevity to simple routines and being undemanding with his diet, though he admits he doesn’t know the secret to his long life.
However, Japan’s aging population is a double-edged sword. While the country celebrates the longevity of its citizens, it faces a significant challenge. Nearly 30% of the population is over the age of 65, the highest proportion globally among large nations.
This increasing number of elderly citizens is not being met by a sufficient younger workforce, putting strain on Japan’s social services. Despite attempts to encourage larger families through various incentives, the birth rate has continued to plummet.
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In the first half of 2024, births were down 6% from 2023, hitting their lowest level since records began in 1969. With a fertility rate of just 1.2 births per woman, Japan’s population has been shrinking for 13 consecutive years. Government projections warn of severe consequences if this trend continues, with the possibility of hundreds of municipalities disappearing by 2050 and the total population halving by 2100.
The government is scrambling to address this demographic crisis, but so far, efforts have been ineffective. Mass immigration, which could help replenish the workforce, is not a favored solution in Japan. Instead, older workers are staying in the workforce longer, but even this measure is expected to fail within a decade, according to officials.
Commentary:
Japan’s demographic dilemma is a complex issue that touches on the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the nation. While the increase in centenarians reflects advances in healthcare and quality of life, the strain on Japan’s workforce and social services cannot be ignored. The government’s reluctance to embrace mass immigration, coupled with economic incentives that have not inspired a significant rise in birth rates, paints a troubling picture for the future.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has described the situation as a “now or never” crisis, but reversing such a deep-rooted trend is no easy task.
Japan is not alone in this challenge; other developed Asian nations like South Korea face similar problems. However, Japan’s resistance to policy shifts like large-scale immigration may make it more difficult to find a sustainable solution.
The Bottom Line:
Japan’s growing elderly population and declining birthrate present a stark challenge for the country’s future. Despite celebrating its centenarians, Japan is at a demographic crossroads.
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Without effective measures to address this crisis, the nation could face dramatic social and economic consequences in the coming decades, including shrinking communities and an overburdened social support system.
