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posted by martyb on Monday December 24 2018, @08:45PM   Printer-friendly
from the they're-not-kidding dept.

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?


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  • (Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday December 25 2018, @05:37PM

    by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday December 25 2018, @05:37PM (#778367) Journal
    It's interesting how little of what you described has anything to do with money or money token.

    And the main target economy for TPP is Japan. If companies are so adamant in selling things to them and not the US, they must be doing something right don't you think?

    That's because the relative trade opportunities are better with Japan than the US. The US already has low tariffs for much of its trade with TPP signatories. Japan doesn't. So a successful TPP treaty would mean much larger opportunities in Japan than the US.