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Number of young women to halve in 40% of Japan localities by 2050

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However, the panel warned, "The trend of a falling birthrate has not changed at all."

Wait! So the government doling out child allowances over the past two decades hasn’t worked!?

1 ( +12 / -11 )

Thats what happens when you concentrate everything in family unfriendly Tokyo. And of course, women in their 20s and 30s are not having children since they're concentrating on their education and careers whicj delays marriage and having families.

9 ( +22 / -13 )

Women are free, hence not enough children. And it does concern every society in the world where women decide for themselves.

5 ( +20 / -15 )

Number of young women to halve in 40% of Japan localities by 2050

Like in China, centuries of preferring and coddling bog standard, deficient little princelings instead of talented gifted young women will do that for you.

-5 ( +10 / -15 )

As usual this surprises nobody!

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

Who really want to really live there, only ojiiisan.

-22 ( +8 / -30 )

However, the panel pointed out that an increase in foreign residents led to the improvement

Good that the Japanese right has not heard of the great replacement yet. I'm sure they will. Wonder who they will say was orchestrating it in Japan.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Tokyo, Tokyo and Tokyo.

"Everything is happening in Tokyo"

"Everyone is happy in Tokyoland!"

"Leave your beautiful, pleasant capital city and come enjoy the Tokyo empty life you too!"

"You're free and have everything you need but you're definitely missing out on life!"

"Just come to Tokyo already! No purpose or goals required!"

"Whenever holiday hits you can always come home to meet your friends and talk about your great empty life in Tokyo!"

-12 ( +25 / -37 )

And to solve this the government will strongly promote deep social change, the correction of social inequalities and put forward the very expensive infrastructure that makes it desirable to have more children?

Of course not, the best it can do is give an irrelevant cash handout.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Number of young women to halve in 40% of Japan localities by 2050

For those thinking that the shrinking population will even out, this should be a wake up call.

If the Number of young women halves in 40% of Japan localities that means that there will be even less children due to the decreasing number of potential mothers.

that’s a whole lot more young single dudes sitting alone in their rooms, hormones racing. 

That's just the thing. It would appear that their hormones are not. The herbivore men just don't seem interested in women anymore.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

The people are moving to the big cities or the surrounding more affordable suburban areas including women for greener pastures, so many places with fewer people and dying economies are going to decline in population growth. Better/higher education, higher pay, better potential partners (educated + higher salaried) and better miscellaneous opportunities.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Population collapse. Sad thing to witness.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

Better/higher education, higher pay, better potential partners (educated + higher salaried) and better miscellaneous opportunities.

You have all this in pretty much most japanese capitals, but the media brainwashes you into thinking these are only available in Tokyo.

Most foreigners I know think Tokyo = Japan

I thank God everyday for coming to Japan and only enjoying Tokyo for 24h, the next day I was in a beautiful capital of half a million people that made me feel in love with this place.

I'm permanently stuck in Tokyo since corona hit but I wouldnt think twice about moving to any of the beautiful charming smaller japanese capitals when chance hits!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Why doesn't JT share links to these studies?

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Why doesn't JT share links to these studies?

Because most the the articles are just translations from Kyodo.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

"Leave your beautiful, pleasant capital city and come enjoy the Tokyo empty life you too!"

"You're free and have everything you need but you're definitely missing out on life!"

"Just come to Tokyo already! No purpose or goals required!"

"Whenever holiday hits you can always come home to meet your friends and talk about your great empty life in Tokyo!"

No one has the right to judge other women - and men - who make a conscious decision not to marry or have children.

I am sure many of these young people do live full and satisfying lives - likely a lot more happy and respected than certain judgemental individuals.

The trend of lowering birthrates is seen in just about all developed nations.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Who really want to really live there, only ojiiisan.

It's a valid point. Many businesses use a system that brings in women at a discount or for free - just to bring in the men who pay full price. There's no reason the same wouldn't apply to a town. Fewer women means it's less attractive for men.

The hollowing out of Japan's countryside towns is a serious issue!

1 ( +8 / -7 )

The trend of lowering birthrates is seen in just about all developed nations.

Try virtually ALL nations.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

The reasons I live in Tokyo are mainly jobs, plentiful housing, good schools and good doctors. I wouldn’t mind transitioning to a rural area part time and teleworking. Some of the bad aspects when I lived near rice fields in rural areas was the constant noise such as 4 am repeated gunshots to scare birds, pesticide plumes that spread into my apartment, complete lack of sidewalks and pedestrian safety, nothing much to do. Even close by I had some work in Saitama near a small station and there is nothing to do after an hour. No large stores, few local restaurants.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

The world could use a few fewer people. We are about 50% overpopulated for a planet our size. Reduction of the birthrate would be good if it happened all over the world. Oh, and women aren't machines to give birth. They are normal people just like us guys. Everyone should do what they want to do. Now, if you would like to adopt a baby in lieu of having your own, that might work. YOU change diapers, feed the baby, and all the other things you expect women to do. Frankly, I like the idea of fewer people.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

and the plan to fix it is?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Who on earth can afford to have kids these days? The only people I see having kids are irresponsible people who cannot afford them, and end up feeding them frozen food and other rubbish.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

and the plan to fix it is?

AI robots lol

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

No more future for population to grow in this archipelago.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Not a problem, immigrants are increasing year by year.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

The reasons I live in Tokyo are mainly jobs, plentiful housing, good schools and good doctors. I wouldn’t mind transitioning to a rural area part time and teleworking.

That's the thing. It doesnt have to be either "Tokyo or a rural area".

I havent visited all prefectures yet but all the 5 capitals I spent a longer time were endless universes to explore, no way on earth you could get bored or have any kind of inconvenience in your daily life. Why on earth people leave that for the overcrowded Tokyo. Imagine leaving Cincinnati, Florida for NYC.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Tom SelleckToday 07:40 am JST

that’s a whole lot more young single dudes sitting alone in their rooms, hormones racing. glad I was younger when the sea was full!

Me too, and I haven't retired yet! Most of those single guys weren't going to do a damn thing anyway and the geek industries are salivating. This situation means there's even less potential distraction for the attention of the grass-grazers.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Japan could fix their population decline by getting rid of their one citizenship policy and permit duo citizenship. There are so many Japanese who have given up their citizenship and are fighting to be permitted to have duo but Japan refuses and why?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

As someone who loves very happily in a smaller city, I do not see the appeal of actually living in a larger city. For 70000/ month I live in a ten-year old five-bedroom house with a garden and parking spaces. I walk less than ten minutes to the train station, and I commute fifteen minutes to my workplace. I am a full-time employee of the prefecture on a permanent contract with a great salary and the ability to do freelance work should I choose. My son goes to the local school, which has smaller class sizes than average. There are plenty of parks nearby, and other open spaces. We regularly attend local events, can shop in the malls and independent places and there is an abundance of good quality restaurants. There are a large number of volunteer organizations, social circles, sports facilities and so on. We have a proper community, which strikes the balance of being warm and inviting but not intrusive. We are about an hour from a major city. Why would I ever trade that in for life in the big city?

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Then why are you so negative if things are that awesome???

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Negative Nancy

I 100% agree with you which also describes my situation.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

As someone who loves very happily in a smaller city, I do not see the appeal of actually living in a larger city. For 70000/ month I live in a ten-year old five-bedroom house with a garden and parking spaces. I walk less than ten minutes to the train station, and I commute fifteen minutes to my workplace. I am a full-time employee of the prefecture on a permanent contract with a great salary and the ability to do freelance work should I choose. My son goes to the local school, which has smaller class sizes than average. There are plenty of parks nearby, and other open spaces. We regularly attend local events, can shop in the malls and independent places and there is an abundance of good quality restaurants. There are a large number of volunteer organizations, social circles, sports facilities and so on. We have a proper community, which strikes the balance of being warm and inviting but not intrusive. We are about an hour from a major city. Why would I ever trade that in for life in the big city?

Sounds like a dream. You are lucky Nancy!

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

Tokyo gets too much hype. Living in Tokyo is NOT the grand life you would imagine. In fact, areas outside of Tokyo offer a much better quality of life. Unfortunately, with every passing year the execs in Tokyo are luring and forcing people to work in Tokyo. As it goes, as you move to Tokyo, the rich take your land and life outside of Tokyo. Fools Gold for real gold.

We can only hope that the communities outside of Tokyo learn how to suffocate the city till they realize that rural areas demand investment.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I live in the inaka and have a child with my Japanese husband. We both have many opportunities to not be here, to move to a city, to move to a country, but even if it’s a struggle, we are doing out best to stay, because we love the many perks of the inaka-life. We are lucky though because we can make it work.

I wish I could say, you could have happy, more simple life in the inaka, but it’s not true. So many small-medium enterprises are still so behind in the times and are often black kigyo. In this economy, they won’t survive long either.

Lack of jobs/job security, low pay, bad work environment is probably the main reason why no one will stay, even if they wanted to.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

It would have been more optimistic had the birth rate been growing at such a rate that the municipality would have to divide itself in half . . . .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Jonathan PrinToday 07:17 am JST

Women are free, hence not enough children. And it does concern every society in the world where women decide for themselves.

taking away freedom of women is not good, because women are human beings therefore have the same rights as other human beings. but yes, women carry the burden of having to carry (multiple) pregnancies of 9 months each, and, especially if having multiple children, some things get incredibly harder to do. to afford having even one child is difficult as well.

it seems many men are not interested in having children either as some prefer gaming or other hobbies, which would be difficult to maintain when you have to take care of a child, spend time with the child, work more to support their child, and in many cases also their wife, so many aren't interested in even getting married, let alone having kids. it's also difficult to have kids while one is mentally immature, and it is becoming increasingly a problem in both sexes.

perhaps, real and useful financial incentives, more moral and physical support, more child friendly spaces, also simply glamourising having kids via mass media and social media influence, would influence more people to take up an experience, an expensive life time adventure, the all consuming "hobby" of having and raising children. if all people see is how they are creating a problem by not having kids, then how expensive and difficult it is to have kids, I'm sure at least some of them not only decide to not have kids (too difficult) but also feel inner dissonance and feel depressed, develop lower self esteem, some might feel quiet anger at the expectations because of harsh reality which makes it difficult to fulfil said expectations, and i am talking about both sexes.

maybe a problem is not in women having their equal human rights, but ... excessive consumerism? because currently women are being influenced to buy a new "luxury" bag, makeup, other less gendered stuff, etc. I'm sure it's similar for men being influenced to just buy more stuff as well. how can you cope when focus is what else you haven't bought yet (with a subtle nudge it'll solve all your problems), but then someone comes and says society is declining, please, please have kids? it seems, if influence changed to become having-kids oriented, it might make some positive change. a change that should come not only from outside but also from inside.

toraToday 07:11 am JST

Thats what happens when you concentrate everything in family unfriendly Tokyo. And of course, women in their 20s and 30s are not having children since they're concentrating on their education and careers whicj delays marriage and having families.

it's ok to want education and carreers. it's ok to focus on education and careers. if such women want to have children, they would be more likely to have children if they had more financial and other support (i.e.someone helping with the child while she is studying), no loss of opportunities in their careers, a reliable partner (child's other parent), etc. maybe having multi generational households is a good thing. if Tokyo is difficult because apartments are really tiny, maybe Tokyo should opt to have more remote workers than in-office workers (which also addresses overcrowded trains etc). having education doesn't seem to pose a problem, as until (they now say) 25 years old, a brain is still growing, taking form, easiest time to study - thus having a child before one is 23-25, even tho perfectly acceptable to have a child between 19-25, imho it is still a bit young.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

One of the sad realities of a hyper risk-averse culture, from the schools to the retirement homes, that permeates everything. The sickly sweet consensus that mediocrity and expediency are perfectly fine as long as it’s a stable ship. People will survive, but then forget to bother to thrive. Politicians playing to their geriatric voters, no vision or solutions just short term can kicking.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the dating game, no risk, no return! 80% ( 90%?) of lads I get to see on a daily basis have zero intention of taking the plunge and asking someone out on a date.

Conversely, the top boys though are doing very, very well. And this here lies the trap. Top performers, by their very nature and options are the last to want to settle down and start a family. Why would they in their minds? If the other 80% don’t step up we see situations like what this article is showcasing. Rural population collapse within a few generations. Girls leaving town by the busload.

This is the disaster of the demographic we see playing out. Am biased, but lay a lot of the blame on the education system. Try having proms or something guys, promoting a bit more individuality, social events for teens and some self-expression wouldn’t hurt either. I know it’s late in the game but anything to get the two teams mixing! Get the bleeding masks off as well! Come on Japan! Be bold!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Since there are 744 of these muncipalities, I hope at least one of them is listening to its young ladies and asking them what they want.

I am a full-time employee of the prefecture on a permanent contract with a great salary and the ability to do freelance work should I choose

This is possibly the solution. Unfortunately about half the people my town employs aren't on permanent contracts and even the ones who are and work at town hall itself (best paid) are on about 6 million with all bonuses included at 40-45. That's the winners. The losers may be on under 4 million, with a big heating bill and one car per adult to pay for. That's before you have children.

I detest cultural nostalgia, women in their 20s and 30s used to be someone who made the tea, but am very nostalgic about economics. Ordinary people used to have it better than they do now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Many comments saying it’s better in the Inaka or regional capitals etc. and that people should live there instead of Tokyo. But most people are not moving to Tokyo out of choice, they are moving there because that’s where their job is.

In these days of high speed trains, internet etc. there really is no need for many industries to be in Tokyo - the government should provide more incentives for those companies to relocate jobs to the regional capitals - it should be better for the companies too - cheaper building rents and lower salary requirements for their employees.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@fightto

No one has the right to judge other women - and men - who make a conscious decision not to marry or have children.

I am sure many of these young people do live full and satisfying lives - likely a lot more happy and respected than certain judgemental individuals.

The trend of lowering birthrates is seen in just about all developed nations.

We'll see who is right when population decline will be so fast that working and especially young people will be financially bled paying taxes and still the health system will remain unsustainable for later for them (not enough nurses).

I personally don't like egotistical people thinking only their interest is of concern while they benefit heavily from the work of others (still current situation for many), including from the everyday life task of having children who are the future.

You don't need much imagination to foresee the future. It will become more and more bleak. Just watch the movie Children of men as an example (quite dark and caricatural of course but gives the taste).

I praise in particular people who provide for others not only in their own interest, and that includes especially women who raise their children and fathers who look after their offspring.

For those poor at maths, even if ALL women of those municipalites were having 4 children, it would not be enough to level out the population.

The world has benefited from high birth and low death rates. Sorry to say the opposite will alas happen in my late days in many countries, and especially Japan, mark my words. I am sad about it although I will not be the one much stricken about that type of future.

No one is forcing you to have children, thankfully (forget The handmaid's tale), but high recognition shall be awarded to the braves, like war veterans.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Again some chicken little racing around the yard saying the sky is falling. Worried about not enough nurses, care workers etc in Japan? Worried about the Japanese labor shortage in some industries?

Join the other countries - the Uk, Australia and NZ to name only three need foreign workers to fill those kinds of positions. In my home country of the US people forget that Mexicans and people from Central America came to do jobs that mainstream Americans didn't want to do - agricultural, housekeeping, business cleaning, factory work etc. Their employers included politicians and others turning a blind eye to lack of visa complications.

Japanese women are not going to fill fertility quotas to please the state. They and their partners are not going to 'do their duty' of having more children if they don't want to. Just like women and their partners in all developed countries.

Tokyo is the biggest sucker up of shifting populations from rural to urban, from regional to suburban. For obvious reasons. The problem can be solved by focusing on Osaka, Nagoya, Ookayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Kita Kyushu. These are all cities that are viable alternatives especially Fukuoka which has a great lifestyle.

For a start, corporations in Tokyo can be encouraged through various programs and incentives to shift to those cities. Certain government organisations can move there too. Global business agreements made by the J Government can be implemented in those cities as part of the deal. Set up tech hubs in Osaka and Nagoya and create partnerships with tech hubs around the world.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

To 'Negative Nancy' - your personal situation says it all. You have a permanent job at a prefectural office, you can work freelance, your salary is great etc etc. In other words you don't lead a typical life for somebody in the regions where most residents don't have those kinds of jobs. That's why many people from the regions come to Tokyo.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

First the governmental mindset of those who are in control who want women to have more children and men to marry and raise a family has to change. If people are leaving the country side to the big cities it is not hard to understand why, people have to work to survive so they go to places where jobs are. If you have a city where everything is then of course those cities are going to over populate quickly. The large cities are like sponges they soak up all those citizen looking for work. What the government needs to do is look at large corporations and give some tax incentives to have them spread their company divisions in surrounding areas especially near universities so when people graduate they can perhaps be employed in those companies they can also spread out the manufacturing and out source work to those who want to work from home. One of the reasons I hear that young people don't want to move to the country side is because of the lack of things to do that I understand but if these companies provide incentives where those who want to work in those areas be provided a larger salary that would perhaps reverse the trend because people spend the majority of their time working, the larger salaries would then promote more smaller business eventually leading to an environment where people will become more business minded and creative and startup local entertainment of course it is not going to happen over a year but it can happen. In other words if government wants to promote child birth they have to promote better lifestyle changes for the people. The large corporation have to diversify and open facilities in outer regions to help promote growth in those areas instead of keeping jobs in one area. People move to where the jobs are and where pay is great for their lifestyles. The happier people are and the less stress they have will probably help prevent the decline if not the government failed the people.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

As long as all nearing, talking or advancing is considered and punished as whatever harassment, misconduct, #metoo case or severe crime, then this declline will even more accelerate. I am not going to teach here in detail how babies are made, but as a first hint, very surely not by such gender distances, social barriers and the like. lol

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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