Results of our survey part 2

For our further understanding of our issue, we made a survey. This survey gave us an idea of the goals of our NGO. From the data, we could see that some people aren't serious. I recommend those people check our "What happens if the low birthrate continues?" post.

Also, we found that the main reasons why people don't want to make children are financial and emotional (others) issues. From this data, we set up our goals and ways that our NGO achieves goals. 

•Spreading information

In some prefectures in Japan, the government has financial assistance for families struggling with money. However, not many people use this system. We will promote this system widely using posters in partnership with the municipality and through our website.

•A place for parents

To solve the mental issues when raising a child, we will help parents build a community among each other. A supportive community can offer validation and empathy, acknowledging the difficulties of parenting and helping parents feel understood and accepted.

This is the link to my full results of the survey. 

https://jp.surveymonkey.com/stories/SM-sJUBbfiVRAAUa6JjAXLt5A_3D_3D/

Results of our survey part1

 I have taken a survey about both issues of our topic, which low birth rate and aging population.

Although the responses are not as many, this result could be a good example.

Those who are intended to having a baby responded that they generally love kids, and always wanting to have one.

Meanwhile the opposite answer to this question would have the opinion of them not liking the baby from the first place, or wanting to live only with whom they marrying.

With another responses to this question, they are concerned about problems such as having children is too expensive and troublesome, serious infertility problem exists so even people who want to have a child cannot always have one.

Link to our survey

We are greatful for all of the visitors to our blog!

We appreciate how you think and confront the issues that we are facing.

Furthermore, we would appreciate it if you could answer our survey, which the link is listed at the bottom of the page.

This survey will be shown anonymously, and be used to show what kinds of problems you are concerned about.

It only takes few minutes, with just some easy questions to answer.

We will be looking forward to hearing opinions from you.

Thank you.

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1d8ZnC2EF70SpY7vTzODf7AsGKES3qiIY12J4X01M4zs/edit

Fishy Website

https://www.nukepills.com/emergency-kits/

We have had an offline exchange, which was to identify whether the website is fake. The website’s title we have looked up on was Nukepills. According to the website, Nukepills is a major supplier to pharmacies, hospitals, nuclear facilities, other web-based distributors, and governments within the U.S. and worldwide. It is a product that prevents thyroid cancer of those exposed to radioactive iodine following a nuclear accident or detonation of a nuclear weapon. Of course, the nuclear accident happened at Fukushima was also mentioned in the article, promoting that this Nukepills can prevent you from getting cancer.

 

On top of the website many sponsors are listed, including CNN, The New York Times, CBS, and so on. These advertisements allow viewers to trust the website, which the author guides the viewers to buy their products.

the website sells products such as the pills, “radiowash” liquid which washes or hydrolyzes the radioactive iodine with gloves and towels, plastic bags, water bottle, radiation measuring instrument, tools that allows you to open the doors without touching directly with your hand, and so on. With all these products the kit costs $299.95, which is quite expensive.

 

Is the website trustworthy??

These are the information that I found it trustful.

A couple of sponsors are involved with their logos listed on the top of the page.

At the bottom of the page, we could see a sentence “2023 Nukepills Inc. All rights reserved.” With some authentication stamp above it.

It also has the phone number and the address for more info.

We could see some good reviews on the website.

 

On the other hand, if you look at the product through Amazon, there are cruel reviews written about the product with only one or two stars being rated.

 

From these points of view, the website is authorized, yet some facts written are fake. 

What happens if the low birth rate continues?

Here are the things that may happen if the low birth rate continues:

Population Decline and Aging: Population will continue to decline, with the working-age population decreasing and the proportion of the elderly increasing. This demographic shift will place a strain on the social security and healthcare systems, as well as lead to a decline in the working population, which may affect economic growth.

Labor Shortage: A shrinking workforce will cause labor shortages in various industries, affecting productivity and competitiveness. Companies will struggle to find qualified workers, which may lead to reduced output and economic constraints.

Economic Challenges: Declining fertility rates can lead to lower consumer demand, shrinking markets, and lower tax revenues. As a result, economic growth may slow, innovation may decrease, and public services may become more difficult to maintain.

Increased burden on the working population: As a smaller working population supports an aging population, the burden on the working population to finance health care, pensions, and social welfare may increase, leading to a fiscal burden.

Changes in family structure: Declining fertility rates may lead to a restructuring of family structure, with smaller families becoming the norm. This could affect intergenerational relationships, caregiving dynamics, and traditional family support systems.

Social and cultural changes: social norms, gender roles, and attitudes may change.

Ryo

How much money do you need to raise until the child grows to 20?~America~

 According to a USDA report on "Family Spending on Children," the average annual childcare costs for middle-income families in 2015 ranged from about $13,000 to $18,000, excluding college costs. This estimate considers housing, food, medical care, transportation, childcare, education, and miscellaneous expenses.

 

Over a 20-year period, these costs are estimated to average about $260,000 to $360,000 per child. It should be noted, however, that these figures are averages only, and total costs could vary significantly depending on individual circumstances.

 

It is also worth noting that these estimates do not include the cost of college education, which is a large additional expense. It is recommended that separate planning and savings be made for education expenses.

 

Overall, the costs of raising a child to age 20 in the U.S. can be substantial, and it is important that families consider their financial situation, budget, and plan to ensure that their child's needs are met.

Ryo

How much money do you need to raise until the child grows to 20?~Japan~

 The average cost of raising a child to age 20 in Japan depends on several factors, including family income, lifestyle choices, location, and educational preferences. It is important to note that cost estimates can vary widely from one source to another. However, here are some general costs:

 

According to a report published by the Policy Council of Japan, the average cost of childcare in Japan from birth to age 20 is estimated to range from about 15 to 20 million yen (approximately $136,000 to $182,000). This estimate includes educational expenses (including tuition, textbooks, and extracurricular activities), medical expenses, clothing, food, housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses.

 

It is important to remember that these figures are approximations and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Education costs, for example, can vary widely depending on whether the child attends a public or private school and the family's preferences regarding tutoring and additional educational programs.

 

Planning and budgeting for the financial responsibilities of child-rearing are essential and should consider each family's situation and consult with a financial advisor or professional for a more accurate estimate based on specific circumstances. 

Ryo

Is the number of kindergarteners in Japan low compared to other countries?

 Yes, the number of kindergarteners in Japan is relatively low compared to other countries. Japan has experienced a declining birthrate over the past several decades, and as a result, the number of children in the population has decreased. This decline in the number of children has affected the number of children enrolled in kindergartens.

Japan's low fertility rate has been attributed to a variety of factors, including changing social norms, economic considerations, increased educational and occupational opportunities for women, and the high cost of raising children. As a result, demand for kindergarten capacity has been declining year after year.

Additionally, enrollment in preschool education is relatively high in Japan and begins at a younger age than traditional kindergarten. Many families send their children to preschool instead of kindergarten, further contributing to the decline in the number of kindergarteners.

While the number of kindergartners in Japan may be lower than in other countries, it is nonetheless important to note that Japan places a high value on early childhood education and provides a variety of educational opportunities for young children, including preschools, nursery schools, and other early childhood education programs.

Ryo

Why do people not want a child?~in Japan~

As we are researching this issue, this question needs to be considered. Reasons for Japanese people not wanting children include the following.

Demographic Challenges:  Economic factors, changing social norms, and a focus on career and self-fulfillment have contributed to a decline in the desire of some individuals to raise children.

 

Economic Considerations: Raising children in Japan is expensive. Expenses related to education, medical care, housing, and childcare can place an economic burden on families. Some may feel that Japan does not provide a financially stable environment for raising children.

 

Work-life balance: Japan has a culture that emphasizes long working hours and high expectations from the workplace. Due to the demanding work environment, time available for personal and family life is limited, and some people prioritize their careers over having a family.

 

Gender Roles and Traditional Values: Traditional gender roles and expectations still persist in Japanese society. The burden of childcare and housework often falls heavily on women, discouraging some women from becoming mothers or having multiple children.

 

Housing and space constraints: Living space is often limited in urban Japan, making it difficult to accommodate a growing family. High housing costs and limited living space can discourage people from considering child rearing.

 

Social pressure and stigma: Some people feel social pressure.

Ryo

People who are healthy, were they healthy when they were young?

Health status in old age is influenced by a variety of factors, including health status in younger years. Although not guaranteed, evidence suggests that maintaining good health habits and practices from a young age can lead to better health outcomes later in life.

Healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and avoidance of harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have a positive impact on overall health throughout life. These habits promote the development and maintenance of a strong immune system, healthy cardiovascular function, and optimal organ function.

In addition, establishing healthy habits early on can help prevent or reduce the risk of chronic diseases that often appear later in life, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Good health habits in youth, such as regular physical exams, immunizations, and preventive screenings, also contribute to early detection of potential health problems and timely intervention.

It is important to note, however, that an individual's health depends on a combination of genetic factors, environmental exposures, and other circumstances beyond his or her control. Healthy lifestyle habits in youth may contribute to improved health in old age but do not guarantee complete immunity from all health conditions. Regular health care monitoring, early intervention, and ongoing self-examination are necessary.

Ryo

How do young people think of aging society?

 Young people's views on the aging society are diverse. Some see the aging society as a complex issue with both challenges and opportunities. Others recognize the economic impact, such as rising health care costs, and worry about the impact on their own generation. However, many young people appreciate the wisdom and experience of the elderly and recognize the importance of intergenerational ties. They also appreciate the contributions older people can make to society and advocate for their participation and well-being.

Young people see the potential for innovation and growth and may consider career opportunities in industries related to aging and elder care. They may also emphasize the need for elder-friendly communities, accessible healthcare, and social support systems. Technology is often seen as a valuable tool for addressing the challenges associated with aging, promoting independent living, and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
Overall, young people's attitudes toward aging are shaped by their values, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. They may recognize the importance of planning for their future and supporting policies that ensure a dignified and inclusive experience for older adults.

 

Ryo

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Does climate affect people’s long life expectancy?

 Body temperature is one of the most well known and important factors involved in lifespan; increased body temperature has been shown to negatively associate with longevity and conversely, lower body temperature is associated with increased longevity and reduced aging.

From these aspects, climate does affect people’s long life expecrtancy.

Nowadays in Japan, a hot summer has been remarked.

We watch news that many people are being sent to the hospital due to heatstroke, which indicates that people are hard to live as usual in this typical weather.

Rin

What’s are the causes in other countries?

 Taking America as an example, the majority of deaths are caused by chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Since 1900 life expectancy in the United States has dramatically increased, and the principal causes of death have changed. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, many Americans died young. 

Most did not livepast the ageof 65, their lives often abruptly ended by one of a variety of deadly infectious diseases. 

Over time, death rates dropped at all ages, most dramatically for the young. 

Today, the vast majority of children born in the United States can expect to live through childhood and into their eighth decade or beyond. 

About three-fourths of all deaths are among persons ages 65 and older. 

Rin

How many nursing homes are there in japan

 https://www.statista.com/statistics/667140/japan-home-for-seniors-numbers/

This graph above shows the number of welfare facilities for the elderly in Japan from 2011 to 2020, by institution type. The blue indicates the number of care facilities, the black indicates the moderate-fee homes, and the grey graph shows the number of welfare facilities for those requiring long-term care. 

As you could see, the number of every facility is increasing each year. 

This implies that due to the increase of seniors the number of facilities are not meeting the demand. Although the facilities are kept on increasing, they are still in lack of the number for the demand.

Rin

What are the causes of elderly people’s deaths

 More people in Japan are dying of natural causes due to old age and it now ranks as the third leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease, according to the health ministry.

From the 1950s through 1980, cerebrovascular diseases such as strokes were the top cause of death in Japan. But now, cerebrovascular diseases are in fourth place.

Ministry figures show that about 110,000 deaths were registered as due to old age in 2018.

The increase was mainly attributable to the fact that more people are living into their 90s and beyond.

Dying of old age is regarded as “natural death.”

The number of people dying of old age had been dropping since hitting a peak in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. But the figure has been rising since 2001.

Death from old age in 2018 accounted for 8 percent of all deaths in Japan.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death with about 370,000 people succumbing to the disease in 2018, followed by about 210,000 people with heart diseases. The figure excludes those who died of complications resulting from high blood pressure.

Rin

Are there any countries that accept Euthanasia?

 The legality of euthanasia varies depending on the country.

Efforts to change government policies on euthanasia of humand in the 20th and 21st centuries have met limited success in Western countries.

Human Euthanasia policies have also been developed by a variety of NGOs, most notably medical associations and advocacy organisations. 

As of 2023, Euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Australia, and Spain. In some countries, the allowance of Euthanasia depends on the state rather than the whole country.

However, Japan is not part in this.

The Japanese government is not accepting the euthanasia law and could not find the previous data of executing it.

Whether or not the patient himself should have the right to how he ends his life.

It could be a small change but at this point some patients do exist who hope to commit Euthanasia, which they think this way could be the best solution.

Rin

Does religion relate to aging?

 There is no strong correlation between religion and aging.

However, there are some points that might be connected to long life expectancy.

Things to look at are the diet and habit.

The former point is that in some religions it does not allow people to drink alcohol or any specific food.

Nutrient balance is necessary in diets but they keep the unnecessary exclude.

The latter point lies in what time they go to bed, what time they wake up, and getting enough time to sleep.

More than you imagine, taking enough sleep is as important as taking enough nutrients. 

In fact, more than that.

The better habit installed in your lifestyle the more you expect on longevity.

Rin

From what age is the senior?

 The actual age of a senior citizen can vary depending on where an how the term is used. Some organisations consider age 50 to be a senior while others may define the age at 60 or higher.

As a reference, the age milestone of 65 is important for medical benefits. Medicare is a government program that provides health insurance coverage for those over age 65.

Some define you as a senior by whether you have a driving license.

In Japan, you will be required to renew your driving license through the division of motor vehicles more frequently as you age.

This is to prevent drivers with poor vision, perception, and reflexes from driving on the road.

A similar regulation has been held in Florida, the United States, who makes drivers, at the age of 79, come in-person for license renewals because the driver must past a vision test.

Therefore, the age considered as a senior citizen is 79 in Florida.

Rin

Does the income have any relationship with life expectancy?

 In the United States, National Library of Medicine has investigated whether the income has any kinds of relationship with life expectancy between 2001 and 2014. As a result, higher income was associated with greater longevity, and differences in life expectancy across income groups increased. However, the association between life expectancy and income vacried substantially across areas; differences in longevity across income groups decreased in some areas and increased in others. The differences in life expectancy were correlated with health behaviors and local area characteristics.

Rin

Does happiness relate to long life expectancy?

 For both men and women, higher level of optimism were associated with a long life span and exceptional longetivity, which the researchers defined as surcviving to 85%.

Even after adjusting for factors like illness, finances and depression, people who were the happiest still had a 35% lower risk of death. 

Another study of older adults found that happier people retained their physical function better than those who were not happy. 

Stress is known to trigger internal inflammation, which speeds up the aging process.

Rin

Which country has the highest of life expectancy

 Monaco has the highest life expectancy in the world in 2023, according to World Population Review, where locals lives to an average agw of 87. 

Asian countries in the top 10 include Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, while European countries that made the list include Switzerland and Italy.

Rin

Why do people in japan live so long compared to other countries

 There are couple of reasons. Japan has one of the highest quality in medication systems. Because of the UHC (Universal Health Coverage), the cost of medical care is comparably low and easy to see the doctor. 

Japanese people has less fat intake than other countries. Low rate of obesity, low consumption of red meat, and high consumption of fish and plant foods such as soybeans and tea.

Rin

What are the things that government do to prevent aging society

 Instead of throwing away the problem of elders increasing, the government is attempting to let elderly people to give an opportunity to work and earn money as much as they could do.

“To contribute to the creation of a vital society, the government shall adopt measures necessary to guarantee that diverse opportunities exist which alow the elderly to work according to their motivations and abilities, to enable workers to develop their occupational abilities throughout their working lives, and to allow workers to effectively use their abilities until old age.”

Cited from the basic law on measures for the aging society.

Rin

What will aging problem be like in other countries

 By 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million.

While this shift in distribution of a country's population towards older ages – known as population ageing – started in high-income countries (for example in Japan 30% of the population is already over 60 years old), it is now low- and middle-income countries that are experiencing the greatest change. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 years will live in low- and middle-income countries.

Rin

Description of "good" and "bad" websites~bad websites!?~

This is a website that I thought was unreliable. Firstly, as you could see in the title, (The lie that "Japan is an aging society" is an illusion deliberately created by NHK.) the opinions are too biased. Also, we see there are so many advertisements blocking our way. There are no references, so we can’t say the data used are trustworthy.

https://www.mag2.com/p/news/220880

Description of "good" and "bad" websites ~Good website~

This is the website I found it trustful for my topic.

It is the website created by the Japanese Cabinet Office, which the data and other information are 100% authorised.

The points I found it trustworthy are those below;

the campaigns they hold, which the contents and results are uploded on the website.

The schedule of the meetings are uploaded on the website, which helps the audience recognise what problems are arising and how to overcome them.

 https://www8.cao.go.jp/shoushi/shoushika/research/cyousa18/sensin/html/1_8.html

Two perspectives of our issues (Camille, Jonas)

Bonjour, my name is Camille.

Today I’m going to introduce the life living in Japan in comparison with my hometown, France. I have a two year-old baby and the kindergarten used to look after our child, since my husband, Pierre had to work full time. We have moved to Japan 6 months ago because of my husband’s work. First, we have thought about me and my baby stay in France whilst my husband fly to Japan by himself. However, when we thought about our baby growing, we have come to conclusion of us three flying to Japan.

What I felt when living in Japan and working as a full-time, the system for the mothers at work has not fully come into reality. For instance, I was able to get a work off until my baby turns three. So, it was easy to do my housework, and also had my own time to go out and take a break. On the other hand, in Japan, we can only take three months off when having a baby. The rule itself is so different and more strict compare with France.

There is a big difference between France and Japan.

Did you know that in 1984, 39 years ago, both Japan and France had fertility rates of 1.84?

But from then Japan’s fertility rates has dropped rapidly.

Interestingly, at the time Japan responded that they were “satisfied” with the level of the birth rate and that they would “not intervene” in their future policies.

France responded that they were "dissatisfied" and "intervened."

 Since then, France has recovered from the bottom of 1.66 in 1993 to the current level of 2.0 through active countermeasures against the declining birthrate.

On the other hand, Japan's economy was following a downward trend.

It seems that the two countries were greatly divided into light and darkness, and the current difference was born.

However, japan is still catching up.

Starting with the Next-Generation Law enacted in 2005,

"Part-time work law" will be launched 

“Relaxation of nursery school occupancy standards” have been introduced

In addition, the introduction of various subsidy systems and temporary child custody systems have been implemented by local governments.

Hallo, I’m Jonas from Germany. Today, I will be introducing the good parts about Japan. I used to live in Germany 10 years ago, and moved to Japan with my dad. I used to live with him in Germany and take care of him, but since I had to come to japan for my work, my dad had to come with me. Nonetheless, life in japan for him is being a great one.

My dad is almost 80 and walks slow. I sometimes give him a hand when going out for a walk. I tried to let him join the day care in Germany, but it was too expensive for me to afford. But it is quite reasonable in Japan so I was able to let him in. He was apparently stronger that other elders so sometimes they let him go home. He loves to go out for a bit of a walk, which sometimes takes buses to reach where he wants to go. What is good is that if you have a senior pass, you can take buses for free. He doesn’t have to care about the money.

What I thought about from those points was that japan is more friendly to seniors than in Germany. Japan has more population of seniors than any other countries, which the government is focusing more on taking care and bringing out more measures to the society.

Two perspectives of our issue(Shogo and Huang)

                                                   Shogo, a staff of ICHIGO ICHIE TOTAL CARE 

Declining population and aging society with fewer children.

Put these two words together, and it is easy for anyone to imagine that the economy will shrink, welfare problems will arise here and there in the city, and the functions of local government will decline。

The mission, then, is how to design a brighter future in the face of inevitable demographic change. In other words, we must turn this crisis into an opportunity.

One of the first things we need to do is mechanization.

The number of people who can work is decreasing due to the aging of the population, The standard view of the profession will change to one of making work an opportunity, based on the theme of liberalization and manpower saving.

I would like as many people as possible to feel the need for the care and welfare industry to sort out what can only be done by people and what can be substituted by machines.

Next, there is the export strategy.

Japan is entering a super-aged society, and countries around the world will eventually follow the same path.

China, an advanced superpower, is at the top of the list.

The idea that we should have here is a sense of value that allows us to experiment with super-aging societies as quickly as possible.

Japan's business history of imports from Europe and the U.S. will be reversed, and from now on, Japan will export not only goods, but also things, services, and so on.

The third is investment in education.

The social value of education goes without saying, but Japan will become a country that can spend more on education for its people.

This is because the number of children will decrease.

The popular view is that "children are precious and scarce, so let's take good care of them.

Society as a whole will be less likely to complain about investing in children.

As for corporate activities, it is a great idea to do business on the theme of lifelong education, so it is definitely an opportunity to invest in education based on the business strategy of "what kind of education are you going to work on?

It is easy to talk about it but not so easy to take action.

We hope to become an indispensable company in Shimada City by repeating trial and error step by step.

               

 

                                                                 Huang, a Chinese in Japan 

China, like Japan, is facing an aging population. We will face many problems, both as a government and as families and individuals. Before I came to Japan, I worked for a newspaper company for senior citizens. In China, there is at least one " elderly's Newspaper" in each province. People of retirement age subscribe to the "elderly 's Newspaper. The content of the "elderly's News" is news for the aged, health knowledge, etc., and there is plenty of information. Since the elderly have much less access to the Internet than the young, it would be useful for the elderly to have all the information about aging in one newspaper. There will be no similar "elderly 's Newspaper" in Japan.

The problem of aging is a common challenge for both Japan and China. We should exchange information with each other. Of course, China still has much to learn from Japan. Japan is a model for China in social welfare for the elderly.

In China, five policies are emphasized regarding the welfare policy for the elderly. Tried to list them up but Chinese. These are support for the elderly, medical care, social participation, lifelong learning, and hobbies and pastimes. In the age of 100 years of life, all five of these things are indispensable, and only by being blessed with these five things can one live a long life.