Originally Posted by
JamesBigglesworth
I am so sick of that meme. Demographics are not set in stone. As the population falls then wages rise and people can suddenly afford to buy housing and have children again. Markets and societies can and do adjust.
The whole idea that Japan *must* open up immigration as the sole possible "cure" (if ever there was a solution in search of a problem....) to maintain the status quo - it's ridiculous. People seldom explore other options or scenarios, let alone the idea that the economy and the country may simply change over time.
I agree that demographics are not set in stone, however, trends don't "suddenly" change either. Japan is basically at full employment and wages still have not made any significant turn positive. Japanese fertility rate has been below replacement rate for 40+ years; how long will it take to reverse course?
No one said immigration is the sole cure to the labor shortage, but it would be helpful. Or we can just acknowledge that Japan as we know it today will be very different in 50 years and let things run it's course. Having less 24/7 conbini is not exactly a big deal...