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The labor shortage in Japan is at its highest in more than four decades, according to new government data. Low birth rates and an aging population have resulted in a shrinking workforce.
There are currently 1.48 jobs for every applicant, the highest figure since 1974 when fast growth drove the ratio to 1.53. The data outpaces the labor shortage peak in the early 1990s, during the country's period of economic stagnation.
[...] The analyst said the number of women and older people who have been joining the labor force has increased, as "the labor shortage is forcing companies to hire people who previously weren't looking for work."
Source: RT
[T]he number of families living on an income lower than the public welfare assistance level more than doubled in the 20 years after the asset price bubble popped in 1992, according to a study by Kensaku Tomuro of Yamagata University.
Now 16 percent of Japanese children live below the poverty line, according to Health Ministry statistics, but among single-parent families, the rate hits 55 percent. Poverty rates in Osaka are among the worst.
[...] Children of single or poor parents often are ostracized in their communities, Tokumaru said, noting that other parents do not want their children playing with children from a "bad house."
Source: The Washington Post
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 31 2017, @01:53PM (1 child)
That's bullshit. People need "child care" because someone needs to watch their children while both parents are working. Centuries ago, and even only a few decades ago, the mothers/wives were expected to care for the children and not be part of the workforce. That is what has changed and not some imaginary entitlement to have servants raise their children.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 31 2017, @02:58PM
Correct. I would be perfectly fine with wife watching the kid if I made triple my salary, being that my wife makes somewhat double what I currently make (pay-gap my fucking ass). She wants to stay home, but seriously I can't agree to it as financially it would be awful undertaking (Pay mortgage in 30 years instead of 10, total stupidity). And no, even though I love our daughter I would not want to stay home instead. It would ruin my self-esteem in short order and create quite a bit of resentment and friction in our marriage. I would resent my wife having a successful career, which I would want for myself, and she would resent me staying home which she would want for herself.
Everyone screwed this pooch for last 30 years, and now this generation who had not part-taken in the screwing is dealing with the results. Thanks everyone who is over 50, thanks a lot - assholes!