Free at Last!

Things have cleared up a bit and I think I'll have time to start posting again.

I finished my paper and submitted it. If you have some bizarre curiousity about the Japanese and want to read the whole thing feel free to email me. Huzzah!

In conclusion:

"The main cause behind the population decline is long-term sub-replacement fertility. This has led to population aging compounded by the rapidity of the change in birth rates and the large increases in life expectancy. Because the birth rate has continued to be low and is predicted to remain so, it is expected that Japan's population will decline dramatically within the next twenty to fifty years. The decline in population has already started.

In the short term, the tightening of the labor market caused by the exit of older workers could provide benefits greater than the costs created by the growing number of retirees as long as the economy remains strong. The tighter labor markets will create fuller employment and higher wages that will in turn increase consumption and savings.

In the longer term, the shrinking population will cause the economy to grow smaller. Because there will be fewer people consumption and savings will go down. The domestic market will shrink and there will be fewer funds available for investment.

If the economy grows smaller Japan will lose economic power and its status as the second largest economy. This could make it more difficult for Japan to achieve foreign policy goals. On the other hand, if the economy shrinks slowly, production per capita could rise allowing for a higher standard of living. Lower population density could also contribute to a better living standard.

Japan has two basic options to counteract the population decline and the economic shrinking that accompanies it. It can raise the birthrate or it can encourage more immigration. Both solutions have social obstacles that would impede them from being implemented. However, the obstacles could likely be overcome if the growth of the economy is prioritized.

The choices that control Japan's population size are social in nature and economic decisions will have a limited effect in making them. It will be up to the people of Japan to decide what course best suits them. Once they have chosen they will have to live with the results whether good or bad."