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Japan suffers biggest natural population decline ever in 2018
Japan suffered its biggest natural population decline ever this year, government statistics show.
The fast-graying nation also posted a record-low birthrate, as the estimated number of babies born in 2018 dipped to 921,000 -- the lowest since records began in 1899 -- according to a report published Friday by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The number of newborns is estimated to have shrunk by 25,000 from 2017, and the figure remains under the 1 million mark for the third year running.
Deaths in 2018 also hit a postwar record high of 1.369 million, with a natural population decline of 448,000 -- the highest ever.
Beijing eyes two-child policy U-turn, but 'lonely generation' has moved on
For nearly 40 years, the Chinese government harshly restricted childbearing through the one-child rule in order to control population growth. That may soon change. Beijing appears to be on the cusp of abolishing all of its family planning rules — and is even encouraging young couples to have more children as a matter of patriotic urgency.
But attitudes toward parenthood have changed. Even though there is a two-child policy in place now, many Chinese still don't want to have more than one child — or any at all. "I think having one child is enough," said Chen Yiwen, a 25-year-old accountant and newlywed. "I won't be tempted to have more — even if the family planning policy is abolished." [...] "Besides, we already have two little babies — a poodle and a corgi," she said.
Related (JP): Japan Has Aged Out of its Economic Miracle
Toyota's $392 Robot Baby for Japanese People Without Companions
Gatebox: Your New Holographic AI Assistant "Waifu"
Japan's Fertility Crisis is Creating Economic and Social Woes Never Seen Before
Japan Has 1.48 Jobs for Every Applicant
Why a Generation in Japan Is Facing a Lonely Death
Related (CN): China's 'Missing Girls' Theory Likely Far Overblown, Study Shows
China "Three-Child Policy" Hinted by Stamp Design?
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 24 2018, @09:55PM (9 children)
Meantime, Nigeria has one of the highest birthrates in the world. Just what we need, more pirates, scammers, and don't forget the very creme de la creme - future "refugees" that the UN will foist onto member victims (er, countries).
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 24 2018, @10:46PM (8 children)
Yay, racist crap modded insightful /s
(Score: 0, Troll) by khallow on Tuesday December 25 2018, @05:14PM (6 children)
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 25 2018, @05:18PM (3 children)
You're an idiot. Countries can compete for resources without it being about race.
Tell me, are the Yankees and Red Sox fans racist?
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday December 25 2018, @05:43PM (2 children)
What makes you think all competition is racist? I made it quite clear what I was speaking of.
In about 30-40 years, high population growth rate is going to become, for a couple of decades, almost solely an African problem, and my take is that the distinctive ethnicities of that continent will have trouble from the racists of the rest of the world as a result. You might even become part of the problem by then. Ideological shifting to other bad ideas is a common practice among those who know best.
(Score: 2) by bzipitidoo on Wednesday December 26 2018, @04:01AM (1 child)
Long, long before humans or any animals at all existed, life has had to deal with the potential for overpopulation. Any species that cycles from boom to bust and back again is going to be very weak, and highly vulnerable to losing to competitors during busts. And that's only if, during a boom, they weren't able to strip every last resource essential to them, perhaps kill off every last member of a prey species they depend upon. In that case, no need for competitors to finish them off, they will have doomed themselves. Boom and bust is not a good strategy for long term survival. I rather suspect that all animals, ourselves included, have developed powerful instincts of self restraint when faced with slim pickings thanks to overcrowding, and will try to maintain a more even level of population.
Cultural differences between any one group, such as Africans, and everyone else are a very weak force against such deep instincts that transcend species.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday December 26 2018, @06:24AM
So does your suspicion have any basis in fact? Boom and bust is not a strategy, it is an environment. And if you reproduce faster than rivals combined with better survival odds during the bust phase, then boom and bust can be great for long term survival.
Except, of course, when that isn't true.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 25 2018, @09:41PM (1 child)
FTFY. Every time the economic conditions improve to allow an educated middle class, the population plateau or regresses.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday December 26 2018, @04:33PM
Not every ethnic group has attained that educated middle class, much less attain it all at the same time.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 26 2018, @04:49PM
oh no it's racist! whaaaa!