Japan's demographic collapse points to grim future

[YALE]

Meh. Solow has this.

[32vfromhell]

I think Japan is like 98% ethnic Japanese, with completely minimal immigration. Most of the workers come in from Indonesia on temporary work visas, and they kick them right out as soon as their work is completed.

High education, low mortality = low birth rates. Low birth rates plus zero immigration means your population is getting older and older. I feel for the poor bastards there who will be having to work to death to support the legions of retirees.

[Sgt Beavis]

I think Japan is like 98% ethnic Japanese, with completely minimal immigration. Most of the workers come in from Indonesia on temporary work visas, and they kick them right out as soon as their work is completed.

High education, low mortality = low birth rates. Low birth rates plus zero immigration means your population is getting older and older. I feel for the poor bastards there who will be having to work to death to support the legions of retirees.

You're close except most workers are from the Philippines and Korea. Their is a lot of xenophobic racism in Japan. My Inlaws used to own a home with picturesque views of Mt Fuji. However the property values were depressed and they sold it for maybe half of what it was worth when they downsized. All that because their neighbors are Korean and other Japanese don't want to live near them.

[Frank]

No leisure? Granted from my white throne I tend to confuse what news stories were reported where in Asian countries, but it seemed like they had as much "fun" stuff to do as anyone else.

[BLAKE]

Japan has some crazy notions about disposable housing that are undoubtedly a factor in this. This is pretty interesting listening:

http://freakonomics.com/2014/02/27/why-are-japanese-homes-disposable-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast-3/

[Moose242]

No leisure? Granted from my white throne I tend to confuse what news stories were reported where in Asian countries, but it seemed like they had as much "fun" stuff to do as anyone else.

Not really. Their society is pretty sad. You are expected to be a silent conformer and worker bee or kill yourself.

[SMKR]

Okay

[BLAKE]

Not really. Their society is pretty sad. You are expected to be a silent conformer and worker bee or kill yourself.

I have 2 friends that have lived over there for years at a time, and this is pretty much what they have to say about it. Especially in the big city. Dedicate life to work, drink heavily when not at work, repeat.