As Japan’s population declines, experts predict that major cities like Yokohama and Kobe will start losing residents by 2035 due to aging and lack of immigration. Urban planning expert Hiroo Ichikawa believes immigration is the solution, but the idea is met with resistance in Japanese society due to concerns and media coverage of violence involving immigrants in other countries.
Japan's Shrinking Population: Yokohama and Kobe Facing Depopulation
Background
Japan's population has been in steady decline for over a decade. In 2021, the country's total population stood at approximately 125.5 million, a decrease of over 0.5 million from the previous year. This decline is primarily driven by two factors:
Impact on Urban Areas
The population decline is having a significant impact on urban areas, particularly large metropolitan areas like Yokohama and Kobe. These cities have traditionally been magnets for migrants from rural regions, but as the overall population shrinks, the flow of people into cities is slowing down.
Experts predict that Yokohama and Kobe will start losing residents by 2035 due to aging and lack of immigration. Urban planning expert Hiroo Ichikawa believes that immigration is the solution to this problem, but the idea is met with resistance in Japanese society due to concerns about crime and cultural differences.
FAQs
Q1: Why is Japan's population declining? A1: Japan's population is declining due to a combination of aging population and low fertility rate.
Q2: What is the impact of population decline on urban areas in Japan? A2: Population decline is leading to depopulation and economic decline in major cities like Yokohama and Kobe.
Q3: What is the proposed solution to Japan's population decline? A3: Some experts propose increasing immigration levels to boost the population and workforce.
Q4: Why is there resistance to immigration in Japan? A4: There are concerns in Japanese society about the potential impact of immigration on crime and cultural cohesion.
Q5: What are the historical precedents for immigration in Japan? A5: Japan has a history of limited immigration, particularly during the Edo period (1603-1868). However, there have been periods of increased immigration, such as during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) and the post-World War II era.
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