wackyjacky wrote: If the rate of reproduction for the last decade in Japan continues, the population will decline significantly.

While what you wrote is obviously correct, the long term continuance of that trend is extremely unlikely. As the older generation eventually dies off, they leave behind all their assets and their property to the next generation, which as you say, is much smaller in number and declining. This will eventually lead to a substantial drop in property prices (due to increasing supply and less demand), which are currently so high in major Japanese cities that it is not uncommon for city workers to have to commute 2 hours each way to get to work, even on their impressive bullet trains, from where the housing prices are more affordable. Cheaper, more available accommodation, some inherited wealth, and less time away from home will allow couple to marry younger and raise more children. It is difficult for a young man to marry anywhere unless he has his own place to live, and that's not easy to afford on one person's income in much of Japan, especially a 20-something.

The work/life balance in Japanese business culture has swayed far off kilter in the past 40 years. That meat grinder lifestyle is not very conducive to raising larger families, as both parents are usually required to work full time just to afford their high cost of living. Their work ethic is admirable, but the pendulum has to swing the other way, eventually. There will definitely be some difficult financial times ahead, until the large population of older, retired people passes on.

StroppyChops wrote:I wonder if the bits that make you glow in the dark are still deserted...

Grow in the dark? Exprain yourself.

vladimir wrote:

StroppyChops wrote:I wonder if the bits that make you glow in the dark are still deserted...

Grow in the dark? Exprain yourself.

Great post SD. I doubt the demographics will continue to the point of failure. Govs are good at responding to crisis. Not at all at doing proactive stuff. Probably none of us can imagine what will be going on in the advanced societies in 100 years.