Washington Post Examines Effects of Japan's Shrinking Population, Low Birth Rate

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 04 Mar 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The Washington Post on Thursday examined Japan's "greatest national problem," a shrinking population caused by a "disturbingly low birth rate," especially in rural towns. A "national child shortage," combined with an increasing elderly population, is "raising fears" about Japan's ability to remain the world's second-largest economy after the United States, according to the Post. Some of the other concerns raised by the population disparity include a "disappearing" school system, a threat to the pension system, effects on the country's society and traditions, and the "shrinking pool" of OB/GYNs due to lack of demand, the Post reports. Japan's population is about 128 million, but if current trends continue, experts believe the population size will decrease in 2006, "plunge" to 126 million by 2015 and be reduced to about 101 million by 2050, according to the Post (Faiola, Washington Post, 3/3). The complete article is available online.

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