Japan population to shrink by one-third by 2060 (BBC)
The Japanese population is expected to shrink by one third in the next half century, a government report says.
The Health and Welfare ministry estimates that 40% of the population will be of retirement age by 2060.
It says that life expectancy - already one of the highest in the world - will continue to rise.
Correspondents say the report presents a grim picture for Japan at a time when it urgently needs to overhaul its social security and tax systems.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has pledged to push through a reform programme this year.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16787538
*SIGH* -- a society with high population density has brought its population growth under control, and this is viewed as a problem. All because gov'ts can't think beyond the ever-continuing-growth economic model.
The big cost? Taxes will go up for a while. The big benefit? Japan's ecological footprint will go down, and sustainability will become a more realistic goal. Well worth it.
Hopefully, as more societies mature in similar fashion, we will see a variety of solutions to these problems, and finally realize that never-ending growth is the most unworkable of all options.
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