Japan's population is shrinking fast. What can be done to encourage people to have more babies?
of the birth rate and the ageing of Japanese society is accelerating at unprecedented speed,” warns Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister. Given the scale of the problem, he toldthis week, the government must push for “impactful policies” to tackle it right away. He mentions a series of reforms, intended to boost the workforce and reduce the cost of supporting the elderly. The Diet is currently debating a government proposal to admit 345,000 foreign workers over five years, for instance.
Mr Abe plays down the idea that he is doing anything momentous. In debates he is at pains to stress that the new arrivals are not permanent immigrants, but guest workers. Moreover, he portrays foreign workers as a last resort, to fill gaps while the government tries to get more Japanese to work. During his six-year tenure, 2m more women have joined the workforce, lifting the female participation rate above America’s.
Mr Abe appears to be planning sweeping changes to put the welfare state on a firmer footing. “There will be an overall social-security reform, including health and medicine, pension and others,” he says. “We are trying to create a society and community where people can remain healthy and active…and find meaning in staying alive and living long.”
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, is determined to raise sales taxesThat risks snuffing out already sputtering growth
Lire la suite »
President Trump to meet in Japan with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in MayU.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Japan on May 25-28 for meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Lire la suite »
French prime minister announces competition to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral's iconic spireFrance's prime minister has announced 'an international architecture competition' to rebuild the iconic arrow-like spire atop the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Lire la suite »
Boris Johnson will wait until Brexit before pushing for Theresa May to resign as prime ministerBoris Johnson will not push for the prime minister to leave office before autumn, according to friends of the Foreign Secretary.
Lire la suite »
Israel's president starts consultations on prime minister nominationIsrael's president began post-election consultations on Monday with politic...
Lire la suite »
How to become the next prime ministerThe next Conservative leader must clear three tricky hurdles before they end up in Downing Street
Lire la suite »
Mali's prime minister and his entire government resignMali's Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga and his entire government have resigned, said the country's secretary general in a statement.
Lire la suite »
Pakistan's Prime Minister Khan in Iran to talk security, tiesPakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Iran on Sunday to discuss s...
Lire la suite »
Sri Lanka attacks: prime minister indicates there may have been warning ahead of bombings“First and foremost we have to ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
Lire la suite »
Japan finance minister quells speculation sales tax hike may be delayedJapanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Friday there was no change in the gov...
Lire la suite »