National Apr 12, 2019
Japan's working ranks are still thinning, despite accelerating growth in foreign population
Although the total population had fallen by 263,000 people as of October, Japan’s working-age population shrank by 512,000 last year.
National | Regional Voices: Fukushima Mar 15, 2019
As population declines, Fukushima Prefecture to lose 15 of its 96 high schools
The Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education will reduce its number of prefecture-run high schools by 15 by the end of fiscal 2023 as the region continues to struggle with a dwindling number of students due to a declining birthrate. The mergers will be implemented over ...
Business / Corporate Mar 14, 2019
For China drone-maker DJI, the real money in labor-starved Japan is in the industrial sector
by Kazuaki Nagata
Amid severe labor shortages, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to perform human tasks is sure to grow, and DJI, the world's biggest drone-maker, is ready to respond, the firm's Japan head said. Drones for industrial uses ranging from agriculture to infrastructure maintenance and security ...
National Mar 12, 2019
Shrinking Wakayama village cuts assembly to five, tying Okinawa council for fewest members in Japan
A mountainous village in Wakayama Prefecture will have the joint-smallest assembly in the country, represented by only five members, it said Tuesday, in the latest sign of the nation's declining population. The assembly of the village of Kitayama passed an ordinance to cut the number ...
Asia Pacific Mar 12, 2019
China lawmakers urge easing of family planning curbs to 'liberate fertility' as birth rates plunge
Delegates to China's parliament are urging the overhaul or even scrapping of controversial family planning rules and say radical steps are needed to "liberate fertility" and reverse a decline in births and a rapidly shrinking workforce. With its population aging as a result of longer ...
National Mar 6, 2019
by Andrew McKirdy
Growing up in Canada, Alex Lipson never imagined he would one day become a taxi driver — especially not on the other side of the world in Tokyo. "I didn't have some childhood dream to be a taxi driver," said the 34-year-old, who joined cab ...
National Mar 4, 2019
As pool of candidates in rural Japan dwindles, Kochi village to allow councilors to retain side jobs
by Eric Johnston
Faced with a rapidly shrinking population of elderly residents reluctant to run for seats on the local council, the village of Okawa, Kochi Prefecture, passed a referendum Monday designed to make it easier serve on the council while concurrently holding side jobs. The measure goes ...
Editorials Feb 28, 2019
Convenience store operators —and consumers — should also give thought to who is sustaining the convenience and at what cost.
World / Social Issues Feb 21, 2019
As population zooms toward 100 million, Egypt tells poor families 'Two is Enough'
Nesma Ghanem is hoping for a fourth child even though her doctor says her body can't handle a pregnancy at the moment. She has three daughters and would like them to have a brother. "In the future he could support his father and the girls," ...
National Feb 1, 2019
Net migration into Tokyo from elsewhere in Japan continues, government data shows
The number of people moving into the Tokyo metropolitan region in 2018 exceeded the number moving out by nearly 140,000, a government report showed Thursday, despite Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to reverse the trend by 2020 and revive rural areas. Growth in the populations ...
World Jan 28, 2019
Obesity, undernutrition and climate change are the biggest threats to the world population, linked by profit motives and policy inertia, a top commission said Sunday, calling for a binding plan and trillions of dollars to thwart the dangers. A $1 billion fund and action strategies ...
Business Jan 15, 2019
The workforce is projected to shrink due to overall population decline if the economy sees no growth and women and the elderly continue to have difficulty landing jobs.