05:59Ryuichi Kaneko, a demographer and professor at Meiji University, warned of a growing 'burden' on Japan's working-age population due to a low birthrate, with a 'total fertility rate of 1.20', and rising numbers of foreign workers, in an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
"Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has been declining ever since. We are finally at about 124 million people," he noted.
"The number of foreign workers has been increasing gradually, and in the last decade, there has been a very rapid increase. The numbers were disturbed by COVID-19, but they are already returning to what they were before the covid19," he added
However, despite the recent increase in the number of foreign workers, Kaneko questioned the long-term viability due to ageing populations in labour-exporting countries and Japan's economic challenges.
"The fact that Asian and other countries sending labour to Japan are also ageing and that Japan's economic situation is not as good as it has been in the past, actually makes it very difficult to determine whether or not the influx of foreigners as a labour force will continue," Kaneko explained.
Tokyo residents and foreign workers shared their views on these issues.
"[..] The number of people who do not get married because their income is not stable is increasing," said Satomi, a Japanese citizen. "I think that more young people are prioritising their own free time over having children because they want to have more time for themselves".
"Well, today's young Japanese are thinking about what they want to do and putting themselves first, they consider themselves more important than anything else," said Syurikan, a Japanese student. "That is why they tend not to marry and value their time alone".
"Yeah, money, because the salary here in Japan is quite high compared to my country, so I can send money to my family," said Nuradindi, a Migrant worker from Indonesia.
According to the latest data, Japan's population is around 124 million, with deaths outnumbering births. The number of foreign residents rose by 11.01% to over 3.3 million, setting a new record.
Meiji University professor warns of growing 'burden' on Japan's workforce amid low birthrate
Ryuichi Kaneko, a demographer and professor at Meiji University, warned of a growing 'burden' on Japan's working-age population due to a low birthrate, with a 'total fertility rate of 1.20', and rising numbers of foreign workers, in an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
"Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has been declining ever since. We are finally at about 124 million people," he noted.
"The number of foreign workers has been increasing gradually, and in the last decade, there has been a very rapid increase. The numbers were disturbed by COVID-19, but they are already returning to what they were before the covid19," he added
However, despite the recent increase in the number of foreign workers, Kaneko questioned the long-term viability due to ageing populations in labour-exporting countries and Japan's economic challenges.
"The fact that Asian and other countries sending labour to Japan are also ageing and that Japan's economic situation is not as good as it has been in the past, actually makes it very difficult to determine whether or not the influx of foreigners as a labour force will continue," Kaneko explained.
Tokyo residents and foreign workers shared their views on these issues.
"[..] The number of people who do not get married because their income is not stable is increasing," said Satomi, a Japanese citizen. "I think that more young people are prioritising their own free time over having children because they want to have more time for themselves".
"Well, today's young Japanese are thinking about what they want to do and putting themselves first, they consider themselves more important than anything else," said Syurikan, a Japanese student. "That is why they tend not to marry and value their time alone".
"Yeah, money, because the salary here in Japan is quite high compared to my country, so I can send money to my family," said Nuradindi, a Migrant worker from Indonesia.
According to the latest data, Japan's population is around 124 million, with deaths outnumbering births. The number of foreign residents rose by 11.01% to over 3.3 million, setting a new record.
Ryuichi Kaneko, a demographer and professor at Meiji University, warned of a growing 'burden' on Japan's working-age population due to a low birthrate, with a 'total fertility rate of 1.20', and rising numbers of foreign workers, in an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
"Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has been declining ever since. We are finally at about 124 million people," he noted.
"The number of foreign workers has been increasing gradually, and in the last decade, there has been a very rapid increase. The numbers were disturbed by COVID-19, but they are already returning to what they were before the covid19," he added
However, despite the recent increase in the number of foreign workers, Kaneko questioned the long-term viability due to ageing populations in labour-exporting countries and Japan's economic challenges.
"The fact that Asian and other countries sending labour to Japan are also ageing and that Japan's economic situation is not as good as it has been in the past, actually makes it very difficult to determine whether or not the influx of foreigners as a labour force will continue," Kaneko explained.
Tokyo residents and foreign workers shared their views on these issues.
"[..] The number of people who do not get married because their income is not stable is increasing," said Satomi, a Japanese citizen. "I think that more young people are prioritising their own free time over having children because they want to have more time for themselves".
"Well, today's young Japanese are thinking about what they want to do and putting themselves first, they consider themselves more important than anything else," said Syurikan, a Japanese student. "That is why they tend not to marry and value their time alone".
"Yeah, money, because the salary here in Japan is quite high compared to my country, so I can send money to my family," said Nuradindi, a Migrant worker from Indonesia.
According to the latest data, Japan's population is around 124 million, with deaths outnumbering births. The number of foreign residents rose by 11.01% to over 3.3 million, setting a new record.