Japan's Fertility Rate Problem

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that experts have many theories on the dropping fertility rates in Japan: (1) People of Japan presently have stopped making families, (2) the large percent of elderly will become a burden, (3) the women's rights movement is a key reason, and (4) a change of attitude among young people, women in particular, that values such as marriage, divorce, and helping the elderly are not important. The author points out that, if marriage rates go up, and more people are getting married, then the fertility rates are bound to go up. The paper states that the U.S. had a similar fertility problem in the 1980s, but labor imported directly into the United States economy helped solve the fertility problem.

From the Paper:

"The main problem with a declining fertility rate is what happens when the society becomes disproportioned with the much larger amount of elderly that will be present in Japan. Putting the situation into simple terms, each woman in Japan must give birth to an average of two babies in their lifetime. At a current rate of 1.38 added with the long life span of the Japanese people it is easy to see the problems that will arise. Also, adding to the problem that will leave the elderly with no support is the fact that Japan has very strict immigration laws that do not allow foreigners to help stabilize the birth rates. The main problem within the economy will be the pensions for the elderly that will not be there. Every generation in Japan has a responsibility to the generation before them to help with many things."

More papers on Japan's Fertility Rate Problem:

• Essay # 69292 : "Fertility in Third World Countries"
• Research Paper # 64353 : "Determinants of Total Fertility Rate"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 128214 : "Fertility in the 20th century"

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