japan Flashcards
population in 2014
127.4 million
population density
337 per km2
not true reputation bc 70% of land is mountainous so people live in 30% of land
physical environment and its influence on the population distribution (4)
70% of land is mountainous so people live in 30% of land
range of climates due to north-south extention
frequent hazards - volcanos make the soil fertile = desire to live here despite the hazards
large fishing industry due to large coast
japanese demographic and culture
traditional - expecting loyalty and hard-workingship
GNI
$48 300 per annum
average life expectancy
83
% of over 65s:
24%
How many over 100 years old?
50 000
Infant Mortality rate:
lowest in the world - 2.2/1000/yr
Young dependants (%)
13.5%
Percentage of economically active
63%
By 2025 what % of Japan’s population will be over 65?
33%
By 2050 what % of Japan’s population will be over 65?
38%
why is the population structure an issue? (4)
Demographic time bomb
Population decline
Not enough young people to replace the older generation
A burden on the working and younger population as have to support elderly as there are not enough people to help.
socio-economic implications of the ageing population
40% of all government public spending is on the elderly
Since 1960s retirees pay only a. Small part of their medical care through a universal system.
The working population is shrinking fast.
A rise in home care - families give up full time jobs to become - impact on the economics workforce.
Pressure on care services - more medical and care workers are needed.
There is increasing pressure on NGOs to provide care.
It is estimated that 3.8 million elderly in Japan live alone with no family support.
There is an increasing number of elderly living on the streets, in poor quality housing or ending up in Prison- Prison offers better care for some which leads to reoffending rates rising.
There is a rising number of cases of dementia.
Increasing dysfunctional relationships between young couples and the growth of a new group of Japanese ‘30-somethings’ men (Otaku - obsessive nerds) who indulge in fantasy relationships with ‘animes’ or virtual females on computer games.
More elderly are having to return to work to make up their income. 3,500 over 65s work for McDonald’s?
positive implications of ageing population (4)
manufacturing industry is successful- bringing in revenue to support the domestic economy.
Growth in private hospitals specialising in healthcare for the elderly - create jobs
Increasing demand for leisure activities for the affluent elderly - jobs
new robotic technology to assist elderly- companion pets, bionic limbs etc - but expensive and small availability but worth $1 billion to the economy currently
response by the government (6)
government has to tackle some of the issues for a sustainable future but has to be cautious with its population policies so that it does not alienate the elderly, and important large percentage (the ‘grey vote’).
Raise taxes - to maintain revenue to care for the elderly
Raising retirement age to 70
Pro-natal population policies - encouraging parents to have more children by increasing maternity leave, child allowance, tax reductions, motherhood portrayed positively in media etc
Encourage robotic development
Encourage immigration of skilled foreign workers - increase workforce
… difficult as japanese is a hard language to learn and immigrants must pass a language test. The culture is difficult to adapt to.
Currently 2% of the population is immigrants
___ biggest economy in the world
3rd
stage in DTM
5
population decline by 2050
309%
