Benjamin L. Jefferys Wednesday, February 20, 2013 Sociology 23 Dr. Dayananda Japan DEM.

M. Analysis Japan is an island nation with a limited economy and an aging population. They are plagued with a constant struggle for resources and an uncertain economic future. This has led to some interesting demographic changes amongst the Japanese population. One of the more notable changes that is taking place in Japan is a decline in fertility. The decline in fertility is unmistakable in the statistics of the aging population. It is estimated that nearly twenty five percent of the Japanese population is over the age of 65 making Japan one of the oldest populations in the world. So, why this steady decline in fertility? Some attribute this decline to only economic factors while ignoring societal factors. But most agree that the steady decline in fertility is caused by many factors. One of the more prevalent factors playing into this situation is the increasingly unstable future of the Japanese economy. Because the future is not stable and it is difficult to predict ones success financially, the Japanese are wary about incurring the cost of children. This falls in line with Adam Smiths theory of population trends. He would argue that often Labor defines population. In the case of Japan this certainly holds true. The Japanese labor force while dealing with a turbid economic forecast cannot afford the risk that is implied when having children.

Secondly Japan has become more secular in thinking and the modernization of their culture has resulted in more women being involved in the workplace. This has made many women much more powerful within their own personal and career lives. These women now call the shots so to speak, and they have autonomy over their lives more so now, than ever before. No longer depending on marriage as a way to stay alive, has allowed them more freedom and thus many women choose to not have children in order to maintain a higher standard of living. Thirdly, marriage is simply not something that is necessary or desirable for men or women in Japan at this point. Many couples may choose to share expenses or cohabitate in order to cut expenses but they rarely choose to incur the cost of a child as it is simply not preferable. Japans population exceeds 127 million people at this point and many of these people live in extremely dense small areas. The total fertility rate stands at 1.3 children per child bearing woman, and the annual population growth is similar to that of other developing nations at .3% annually. Many in Japan are falling into the line of thinking that Plato presented so very long ago. The simple theory that large population means a low standard of living had become a prevalent thought in the mind of the Japanese. They understand the cost that children present and they are unwilling to bring children into this world that they cannot support, while the lure of a higher standard of living hangs in the balance. It is now difficult to say where Japan will choose to go next as they combat the problems that come with an aging population. The costs that accompany an

aging population are great, and they must address this issue if they wish to remain a world power.