Editorials Jul 13, 2018
Reforms are needed to ensure residents continue to receive necessary services as the nation's population grays and grows smaller.
NEWSWORTHY
National | FOCUS Jul 12, 2018
Japan population declines at fastest pace yet, with only Tokyo seeing significant growth
While the country's rapidly graying demographics again headlined the internal affairs ministry's latest census, the annual report also highlighted the fact that only the Tokyo area is seeing significant population growth, due primarily to an influx of younger people. At the same time, a larger ...
Business Jun 22, 2018
Last residents of depopulated Scottish isle save homes by buying out aristocrat landlord
The last remaining residents of a dramatically depopulated Scottish island on Thursday pledged to rebuild their community after finalizing a £4.5 million ($5.9 million, €5.1 million) deal to buy out their aristocrat landlord. The five tenants on the Isle of Ulva feared their way of ...
National Jun 19, 2018
Japan's demand for foreign workers may soften immigration policy, albeit slowly
by Malcolm Foster and Kiyoshi Takenaka
Shinichiro Tsukada says his small plastering company in Tokyo wouldn't survive without the 22 Chinese and Vietnamese workers who make up half his payroll. "They're treasures, real treasures," he said. "Workers are disappearing as our population ages. Buildings cannot be built because there aren't enough ...
National Jun 12, 2018
Itoshima: How a beach community is drawing newcomers amid rural depopulation
by Alex Martin
Swapping his dress shoes and business suit for flip-flops and swimming trunks, Shingo Takei starts the day by walking to the beach to go stand-up paddleboarding. Instead of commuting to the office, the co-founder of a human resources startup returns home for breakfast and spends ...
National Jun 1, 2018
Issue of abandoned land slowing rural development in Japan
by Eric Johnston
Nestled in the mountains on the border of Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures is Takahashi, a city of about 31,000 people which lies 30 minutes by train from the popular international tourist destination of Kurashiki. Home to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, built in 1240 on top of ...
Commentary / Japan May 25, 2018
Unique universities can rescue rural areas
by Haruaki Deguchi
Regional universities should not be taken lightly anymore; now is the time for them to shine.
Editorials May 9, 2018
Sufficient steps should be taken to avoid any social confusion resulting from an amendment to lower the legal age of adulthood from 20 to 18.
Editorials Apr 29, 2018
With the population shrinking, markets are contracting. The government needs to decide how best to maintain competition between companies in such an environment.
National Apr 13, 2018
Japan's population shrinks for seventh consecutive year as it falls to 126.70 million
Japan's population fell for a seventh consecutive year in 2017, with people 65 or over accounting for a record 27.7 percent of the total, government data showed Friday. According to the World Health Organization, a country is considered an "aging society" when the proportion of ...
National Apr 12, 2018
The government is weighing the creation of a new residence status allowing those on the program to stay longer in the country, as part of efforts to tackle labor shortages.
Commentary / Japan Apr 12, 2018
Utilities can help save Japan's elderly
by Nathaniel Bullard and Miho Kurosaki
By monitoring utility use, companies can play a role in reversing the tragic trend of "lonely deaths."