Fewer workers overall mean essential jobs not being filled
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
January 28, 2024 at 08:00 JST
Japan is projected to be short of 11 million workers in 2040, according to a report on prospects released by the Recruit Works Institute in 2023.
Restructuring unfair, low-pay work is important. Better pay and benefits leads to better security, which in the long run (along with other reforms like enforcement of sexual-equality rules and provision of childcare) will lead to a reversal of the population decline. But that will take decades. In the meantime, Japan is going to have to allow more immigration, *and* treat immigrants fairly, encouraging them to make a home and raise families here.
I'm speaking as a permanent resident who'd lived in Japan more than half his life and has eight Japanese grandchildren here. Calls for more immigration are often opposed by non-residents or recently arrived immigrants who call themselves "expats." They are so very concerned about "pure Japanese culture" and often say "keep your opinions to yourself" and "no Japan, don't let immigrants in!" What they mean, of course, is "keep the people from developing countries out, but let us wealthy people in"--racism and classism. Well, this is my home. It's where my grandchildren are growing up, and it's where my ashes will be laid to rest. I want Japan to thrive.
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