Japan’s Declining Birthrate and Aging Population

By Rio Taniguchi

Japanese translation below

Population aging and declining birth rates refer to the simultaneous progression of low birth rates and an aging population within a country or region. This term was coined by the Economic Planning Agency and the Cabinet Office.

It describes a situation where declining birth rates and increasing average life expectancy occur concurrently, leading to a decrease in both the number of young people and their proportion of the total population, while simultaneously increasing both the number of elderly people and their proportion of the total population.

The aging population and declining birthrate are generally considered to have begun primarily in the 1970s. Specifically, following the first baby boom from 1947 to 1949 and the second baby boom from 1971 to 1974, the birthrate began to decline due to economic turmoil and social factors.

The following are some of the problems caused by the declining birthrate and aging population:

・Decline in national strength due to the decrease in the working age population (labor force) aged 15 to 64 as of April 1 (the first of the new fiscal year) in Japan.

・Severe labor shortage due to the decline in young workers

・Economic contraction due to a decline in consumers

・Increase in the national financial burden due to the growing elderly population

・Weakening of family and kinship ties

In Japan, the number of cases where estates are transferred to the state treasury due to the absence of heirs has been increasing year by year, exceeding 50 billion yen in fiscal year 2017. One reason for the lack of estate recipients is the issue of a declining birthrate and aging population.

As countermeasures against aging, we are establishing a fundamental framework and addressing the issue across six key areas: employment and income, health and welfare, learning and social participation, living environments, research and development, and contributions to the international community. These efforts promote the active participation of all generations.

・In the employment and income sector, we will implement support and measures to foster an age-inclusive society where people can work regardless of age, ensure the stable operation of the public pension system, and promote asset formation.

・In the health and welfare sector, initiatives include the comprehensive promotion of health-building, the operation of a sustainable long-term care insurance system, the enhancement of care services, and the advancement of support measures for elderly individuals with dementia.

・In areas such as research and development and contributions to the international community, we are promoting the utilization of advanced technologies, revitalizing the senior market, advancing research and development, establishing foundational infrastructure, and sharing insights and challenges with other countries.

日本の少子高齢化

谷口 莉乙

人口高齢化と少子化とは、ある国や地域において少子化と高齢化が同時に進行する現象を指す。この用語は経済企画庁と内閣府によって提唱された。出生率の低下と平均寿命の延伸が同時に起こり、若年層の人口数と人口に占める割合が減少する一方で、高齢層の人口数と人口に占める割合が増加する状況を説明するものである。

高齢化と少子化は、一般的に1970年代に本格的に始まったと考えられている。具体的には、1947年から1949年にかけての第一次ベビーブームと、1971年から1974年にかけての第二次ベビーブームの後、経済混乱や社会的な要因により出生率が低下し始めた。

 少子高齢化が引き起こす問題には以下のようなものがある：

・日本の4月1日（新年度初日）時点における15歳から64歳の労働年齢人口（労働力）の減少による国力の低下

・若年労働者の減少による深刻な人手不足

・消費者の減少による経済縮小

・高齢人口の増加による国家財政負担の増大

・家族・親族関係の弱体化

日本では相続人がいないため国庫に帰属する相続財産が年々増加しており、2017年度には500億円を超えた。相続人がいない背景には少子高齢化の問題がある。

高齢化への対策としては基本的な枠組みを作り、就業・所得、健康・福祉、学習・社会参加、生活環境、研究開発・国際社会への貢献など、全ての世代の活躍推進、の6つの分野に分けて取り組んでいます

・就業・所得分野ではエイジレス（年齢にこだわらず）に働ける社会の実現に向けた環境整備、公的年金制度の安定的運営、資産形成などの支援や施策を実施していきます。

・健康・福祉分野では、健康づくりの総合的推進や持続可能な介護保険制度の運営や介護サービスの充実、認知症高齢者支援施策の推進などが実施されています。

・研究開発・国際社会への貢献などの分野では、先進技術の活用及び高齢者向け市場の活性化や研究開発などの推進と基盤整備、諸外国との知見や課題の共有などを図っています。