Japan Flashcards
(29 cards)
Where is Japan located?
Japan is located in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland
It is a chain of mountainous islands and is located in the ring of fire
What is the population of Japan?
Japan has a high population of 125 million
What is the population structure of Japan?
Japan has a declining and ageing population due to low birth rates and high life expectancy
Relief
Japan is a mountainous archipelago
70% of land is mountainous
Climate
Japan has a varied climate due to its N to S extension
Mostly temperate with cold winters in Hokhaido and subtropical conditions in Okinawa and major cities
Rainy season in early summer and typhoons in late summer
Tectonic activity
Located on the pacific ring of fire where several tectonic plates meet
Japan vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruption
Volcanic soil creates fertile land for agriculture
Farming
Only 20% of Japan’s land suitable for farming so intensive agriculture techniques used
Alluvial plains are heavily farmed and terracing used to maximise land use
Rice is main crop and agriculture heavily subsidised
Japan still imports large amount of food e.g. meat
Fishing
Japan is an archipelagic nation so has heavy fishing industry
Still imports large amount of seafood to meet domestic demand
Resources
Japan has limited fossil fuel and mineral deposits
Historically relied on expansion into Korea, Manchuria and Inner Mongolia
Highly dependent on energy imports and as shifted towards nuclear and hydroelectric power
Culture
Japanese culture emphasizes order, harmony, loyalty to family, employers and the nation
Has a highly disciplined work ethic with long work hours
Traditionally men were primary earners but as Japan shifted towards post-industrial economy women have become a key part of the workforce
Life expectancy
Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world at 85 years
More than 71,000 centurions
Likely high due to good health and sanitation, low fat diet and obesity rate, use of public transport and advanced healthcare
Percentage under 15
Young dependents only make up 12.5% of pop reflecting low birth and fertility rates
Percentage over 65 in 2019
28% of pop over 65 in 2019, highest in the world
What is the percentage of over 65’s expected to reach by 2050
By 2050 percentage of over 65s expected to reach 40%
What is the dependency ratio in Japan
68% which means there is a shrinking of working age pop which is supporting growing elderly pop
60% economically active
What is meant by a ‘demographic timebomb’?
Japan is in stage 5 of DTM
Population is expected to decline to 100 million by 2050 and 85 million by 2100
Fewer people means less economically active to support elderly dependents
Socio-economic factors contributing to ‘demographic timebomb’ and low fertility rates
Healthcare
Universal healthcare ensures high quality medical care
Low infant mortality (2 out of 1,000 live births)
Good hygiene and disease prevention leads to long life expectancy
Socio-economic factors contributing to ‘demographic timebomb’ and low fertility rates
Role of women in workforce
More women working and delaying child birth
Contributes to low fertility rates of 1.4 per woman
Socio-economic factors contributing to ‘demographic timebomb’ and low fertility rates
Cost of raising children
High cost of education (up to $100,000 per child) discourages having kids
High housing and expenses decrease fertility rate
What is the impact on the economy of a shrinking economically active sector?
Slows economic growth
Less tax revenue means funding pensions and healthcare for elderly deficient
Support of the elderly
65% elderly live with children
370,000 more healthcare workers needed by 2025
Many elderly live alone and may end up in prison
Government responses
retirement age raised to 65 in 2025 and encourages work till 70
Increased taxes - raised consumption tax to 10% 2019
Pro-natalist policies like Plus One policy provide child benefits and maternity leave but impact limited
Strict immigration policy but short-term guest workers being accepted to rebalance population pyramid in critical industries
Intergration challenges and language barriers make large scale immigration unlikely
To maintain the workforce estimated 600,000 immigrants required a year
Japan’s demographic crisis
(current pop, birth/deaths, pop decline, fertility rate)
Japan’s current pop shrinking for 15 years
Births in 2024 hit record low of 730,000 with all time highest deaths of 1.6 million
Pop predicted to drop to 87 million
Fertility rate, 1.2 births per woman but replacement rate of 2.1
Proportion of seniors expected to rise from 30% to 40% by 2030
Government POLICY to rebalance pop pyramid
Financial Support
5.3 trillion yen allocated in 2025 to support families
3.6 trillion yen per ear (for next 3 years) allocated to extent child allowances and child healthcare and support
