Japan? Ageing, Shrinking and Barren

08.07.2019

Japan’s latest figures for births and deaths offer little joy to the planners. In 2018, as deaths continue to outstrip births, the country’s population declined by 444,000, and shows no signs of changing in the future. Unlike Germany, Japan has only an insignificant intake of migrants, who might otherwise be expected to improve the birthrate and add to the working population. That option is not on the table for a country proud of its culture and traditions.