Re: Population Control (was: Basic Choices and Constraints ...)

["B. Esser" <besser@MARIAN.CREIGHTON.EDU>]

On Fri, 30 Jul 2004, Brian Whatcott wrote:

> On the reverse, one sees tax advantages being put in the way of couples
> who opt for more children - was it Singapore, that land of the potent
> chewing gum, that instituted such an inducement recently?

The Daily Mainichi reports that the birth rate in Japan was 1.57 in 1990
and has dropped to 1.29 in 2003. The birth rate in Tokyo is 0.99. It is
predicted that the rate will be 1.14 by 2025 if nothing is done.
If these trends continue Japan's population (currently about 130 million)
will be 90 million by 2050 and extrapolating to 2100 the population would
be 35 million.
It is commonly referred to as "kudoka" (hollowing).  Some politicians have
recommended that Japanese women who do not have at least two children be
excluded from any pensions or other government benefits when they turn 50.
Others want to change child allowance payments.  Immigration policies are
also being challenged but the issue of race makes it a hot potato
politically.

Like other countries, the issue of population takes a back seat to other
more pressing concerns. The July Sumo tournament and the possibility of
major league baseball contraction are currently hot topics.



Bruce Esser
Physics Teacher                    Something witty
Marian High School                     Should go here
http://marian.creighton.edu