The eyes of the world will be focused on Japan this week as the Group of Eight Summit finally kicks off at Toyako, Hokkaido. The agenda is long and topped by how to deal with climate change. But there is one item that will not be highlighted, although it is of crucial importance to every G8 member — immigration.

All of the G8 nations share similar characteristics: Their citizens are better educated than ever and live longer than previous generations. They also have the world's highest standards of living.

Combined with these traits, however, are declining birth rates and aging populations. These inturn blend together to create a labor vacuum in unskilled positions, since affluent university graduates do not want to wash dishes or take out the trash for a living. In Europe's case, this has led to a high degree of immigration, both legal and otherwise.