People? What people? 😲 This is way beyond a crisis.

[Skygod44]

(One of three)

In 1881, in a prosperous village just a handful of kilometres west of Kagoshima City, an Elementary School was opened.

3,618 children went through all six years of education here.

In 1985, it rang its bell, and closed its doors for the last time, because there weren't enough children being born to warrant its continuation.

Although locked, today I had the time to pull off the road and take some photos.


Fuji-moto Elementary School
(藤元小学校)

 

[Skygod44]

(Two of three)

Closed for 40 years, I'm amazed how little it's fallen apart.


It's easy to imagine little kiddies stomping up and down these stairs, in the century+ the school was operating.

 

[Skygod44]

(Three of three)

Nature is taking over...
...but even where the kids quenched their thirst is still visible...

...though no longer functional.

In all developed nations, we're at a critical population decline situation.

Of course, politics can't be discussed here, but not hearing the wonderful sound of children playing should've been reason enough for "the powers that be" to alter their focus onto protecting Japan's future; something which is now highly unlikely to go much beyond the end of the century.


Simon

 

[Mr Roboto]

Thanks for posting these.

I've been reading the articles regarding the concerning issue of population decline in Japan for the past several years. It is very sad to imagine the small villages that are virtually ghost towns because the younger generation of childbearing age have all moved away. Houses that been passed down through generations being offered for sale at unbelievably low prices (and still not selling).

Despite efforts by the government and corporations to encourage young people to get married and have children, I believe that they were very close to "the point of no return".

With the exception of my immediate family, all my relatives live in Japan. My aunts, uncles, cousins ... nearly all of them were/are childless despite all of them having been married. Very odd when I step back and think about it.

My son is only one of two remaining people who will carry on our family name (and both probably won't have children).
My youngest aunt is the last one to still have their family name.
Sad considering both my parents came from large families (7 & 9 siblings).

 

[Skygod44]

Thanks for posting these.

I've been reading the articles regarding the concerning issue of population decline in Japan for the past several years. It is very sad to imagine the small villages that are virtually ghost towns because the younger generation of childbearing age have all moved away. Houses that been passed down through generations being offered for sale at unbelievably low prices (and still not selling).

Despite efforts by the government and corporations to encourage young people to get married and have children, I believe that they were very close to "the point of no return".

With the exception of my immediate family, all my relatives live in Japan. My aunts, uncles, cousins ... nearly all of them were/are childless despite all of them having been married. Very odd when I step back and think about it.

My son is only one of two remaining people who will carry on our family name (and both probably won't have children).
My youngest aunt is the last one to still have their family name.
Sad considering both my parents came from large families (7 & 9 siblings).

Yes.
I can sympathise with your thoughts.

Far too many people have their heads buried in the sand regarding population maintenance and replacement statistics, and the trouble-makers in the 1950s & 1960s who said we'd overrun the planet started perhaps the biggest threat to humankind in history.

Interestingly, in Japan, if a couple choose to have children, the number of children then born hasn't altered much...
...but it's the number of couples who choose not to have any children which has increased to a critical level.

For that change in attitude...?
My research indicates multiple factors, but knowledge/education manipulation, and corrupt media journalism are in the mix.

It's so sad. And now Japan has recorded a big increase in immigration, which will in and of itself accelerate the destruction of what Japan is.

Simon

 

[Capn Jack]

Yes.
I can sympathise with your thoughts.

Far too many people have their heads buried in the sand regarding population maintenance and replacement statistics, and the trouble-makers in the 1950s & 1960s who said we'd overrun the planet started perhaps the biggest threat to humankind in history.

Interestingly, in Japan, if a couple choose to have children, the number of children then born hasn't altered much...
...but it's the number of couples who choose not to have any children which has increased to a critical level.

For that change in attitude...?
My research indicates multiple factors, but knowledge/education manipulation, and corrupt media journalism are in the mix.

It's so sad. And now Japan has recorded a big increase in immigration, which will in and of itself accelerate the destruction of what Japan is.

Simon

A lower population wouldn't be altogether a bad thing.

 

[OhLook]

And now Japan has recorded a big increase in immigration, which will in and of itself accelerate the destruction of what Japan is.

Simon, if I remember correctly, you've said you were British to start with.

 

[Skygod44]

Simon, if I remember correctly, you've said you were British to start with.

I don't understand the relevance...

Edit:
Ah, I see.
I moved here from the UK, so technically I'm an immigrant.

My comment was to do with numbers, qualification levels, adaptability and respect for Japanese culture and traditions.

When I moved here 21 years ago, the above were;
Low,
Graduates strongly preferred,
Sponsorship required,
Observed to ensure no criminal/abhorrent behaviour...

I have permanent citizenship now, having achieved plenty and been a "good boy".

Now, we're bringing in almost anyone who can do manual labour work, unqualified, unvetted.........

The desecration of Shrines and cemeteries in the national news alone, indicates that an open border here won't lend itself to protecting what makes Japan, Japan.

But anyway, thanks for your comment.

彩門

 

[Mr Roboto]

From my limited observations, I think there was a significant influx of career-minded young women entering the workforce from about the '80s. This allowed women the kind of independence and ability to travel that no generation previously had ever experienced. I think the thirst for that kind of change was so strong that it prevails to this day.

"In addition to shrinking, Japan’s population is aging, with almost 30 percent of the population over age sixty-five in 2021. The government projects this number to grow to over 35 percent by 2040." - Article

 

[Capn Jack]

I don't understand the relevance...

Edit:
Ah, I see.
I moved here from the UK, so technically I'm an immigrant.

My comment was to do with numbers, qualification levels, adaptability and respect for Japanese culture and traditions.

When I moved here 21 years ago, the above were;
Low,
Graduates strongly preferred,
Sponsorship required,
Observed to ensure no criminal/abhorrent behaviour...

I have permanent citizenship now, having achieved plenty and been a "good boy".

Now, we're bringing in almost anyone who can do manual labour work, unqualified, unvetted.........

The desecration of Shrines and cemeteries in the national news alone, indicates that an open border here won't lend itself to protecting what makes Japan, Japan.

But anyway, thanks for your comment.

彩門

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests a higher skill level than your post suggests, simply to get a visa.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html

What is Japan? It has changed quite a bit and will continue to do so. I'm sure people lamented the end of the samurai and thought, correctly, that Japan would never be the same.

 

[Skygod44]

From my limited observations, I think there was a significant influx of career-minded young women entering the workforce from about the '80s. This allowed women the kind of independence and ability to travel that no generation previously had ever experienced. I think the thirst for that kind of change was so strong that it prevails to this day.

"In addition to shrinking, Japan’s population is aging, with almost 30 percent of the population over age sixty-five in 2021. The government projects this number to grow to over 35 percent by 2040." - Article

That's right.

I can't remember the exact dates, it could've been March 1989 or January 1990(?), but anyway, a few significant economic events happened which made people here suddenly feel extremely concerned about an insecure future.

From then until now, "choosing not to have any children, because [insert any multitude of reasons]" has been an attitude on the rise.

The funny thing is, virtually nobody is ever truly "ready & prepared" to have children.
It's the coping with the sudden shock which, imho, makes it all work out wonderfully in the end.


Thanks again for your insightful input.
Simon

 

[Mr Roboto]

..... I have permanent citizenship now, having achieved plenty and been a "good boy"...

Congrats on the citizenship, Simon!

I assume you had to renounce your British citizenship? Japan was/is very much against dual citizenship. I had to renounce my Japanese citizenship when I got my US citizenship. It was a bit unnerving for me since I was the first in my family to "convert" even though I was the youngest and only 18 years old and a senior in high school at the time. No going back for me (and only me)!

 

[Skygod44]

Congrats on the citizenship, Simon!

I assume you had to renounce your British citizenship? Japan was/is very much against dual citizenship. I had to renounce my Japanese citizenship when I got my US citizenship. It was a bit unnerving for me since I was the first in my family to "convert" even though I was the youngest and only 18 years old and a senior in high school at the time. No going back for me (and only me)!

Thanks for the "congrats"

I think this is exactly one of my concerns...
A tiny number of us ex-pats have worked very hard to be accepted here, and we work hard for Japan, respect its history, culture and native peoples, but now, due to, shall we say, "a small number of powerful people making a large number of mistakes", we could see everything here eroded, in order to appease foreigners who don't want to give; just take.


彩門

 

[Skygod44]

Although few seem to understand the gravity of the situation, I thought I'd give this thread a boost...

Today, 16 year-olds "graduated" from Junior High schools. So, many, many schools closed early.

But here we see no Elementary School children on the swings.


No pre-schoolers wobbling on the lion and panda, while their mothers sit on the bench, chatting.


A constant topic of conversation I have with young women here, who can't even find a boyfriend, let alone "husband material".

Simon
(Not very cheery about this)

 

[the durkarian]

In all honesty the world is grossly over populated. In the past 60 years the world population has more than doubled from 3 billion in 1960 to 8 billion in 2023. Why do we need all these people. Fewer people would mean less pollution; less demand for the earths natural resources; less congestion.

 

[Capn Jack]

Although few seem to understand the gravity of the situation, I thought I'd give this thread a boost...

Today, 16 year-olds "graduated" from Junior High schools. So, many, many schools closed early.

But here we see no Elementary School children on the swings.
View attachment 148466

No pre-schoolers wobbling on the lion and panda, while their mothers sit on the bench, chatting.
View attachment 148467

A constant topic of conversation I have with young women here, who can't even find a boyfriend, let alone "husband material".

Simon
(Not very cheery about this)

Maybe there is no problem. I note the grass is "worn" around the animal toys, so someone is using the park!

 

[Skygod44]

In all honesty the world is grossly over populated. In the past 60 years the world population has more than doubled from 3 billion in 1960 to 8 billion in 2023. Why do we need all these people. Fewer people would mean less pollution; less demand for the earths natural resources; less congestion.

I understand your response, but it's not the number itself which is of concern, mainly because the planet can sustain more, with relative ease...
...it's the replacement numbers in order to maintain infrastructure and social cohesion, which I'm worried about.

I agree completely that we don't need "all these people", but taking Japan as an example, at current birth rates we could see the population drop by half by 2050.
That's simply too rapid.

Entire villages are being abandoned now, roads crumbling and bridges becoming unsafe, because maintenance can't be funded, nor physically done.

Some say "Bring in foreigners! They'll do those jobs "...but with that we see erosion of local customs and tradition.

Having lived here 21+ years, I value Japan's history, culture, traditions and values as among the most important to protect, on the planet.

It's a unique country.

Feel free to disagree.
But I'm the one who's here , and I'll continue to do everything I can to reverse the trend which could see Japan no longer exist as its own identifiable nation by the year 2200.

Cheery-bye for now,
Simon

 

[OhLook]

Recent New Yorker article about declining birth rates in parts of the world and their current and predicted effects. The author reports on a visit to South Korea, where the rate is far below replacement.

The End of Children

Birth rates are crashing around the world. Should we be worried?

www.newyorker.com

 

[Skygod44]

Recent New Yorker article about declining birth rates in parts of the world and their current and predicted effects. The author reports on a visit to South Korea, where the rate is far below replacement.

The End of Children

Birth rates are crashing around the world. Should we be worried?

www.newyorker.com

Thanks...
All I could see was a couple of paragraphs which mentioned Paul Ehrlich.
No details, other than that.

But all the same, thanks for highlighting that through misleading research and dramatic, catastrophic predictions of over-population, people and governments have been brainwashed into thinking that "getting rid of people" isn't, in fact, usually called "genocide".

Now...
How to get a few more babies born in developed countries, and a few less in developing countries, without resorting to immoral practices?

Cheery-bye for now,
Simon

 

[OhLook]

Thanks...
All I could see was a couple of paragraphs which mentioned Paul Ehrlich.
No details, other than that.

That's too bad. I have a subscription, but I thought it wasn't needed to read just one article, because I saw the whole article without signing in. Please don't conclude anything about my beliefs on population issues. They aren't so simple. While Korea suffers a drastic decline in births, we (and they) are eating the fish in the ocean faster than they can reproduce themselves.