Elderly in Japan

In the next few decades, Japan's ratio of workers to retired people will change dramatically.
In 1990, there were almost six people of working age for each retired person. By 2025, that number will be almost down to two. That means there will be fewer people paying tax and more people supported by the state. Government income will fall, while pension and health care costs will rise. One way of paying for these is to raise taxes and this has happened to a limited extent but it has not been popular at all. Another option is to try to persuade people to work for longer, delaying pension payouts and using older workers to boost the labour force.
The government is gradually raising the age at which pensions are paid - by 2030, everyone will have to wait until 65. Read the last in the BBCs articles here.

Foreign residents make up only 1.6% of the population. But in 1990, facing a labour shortage, the government came up with a compromise. It would allow second and third-generation Nikkeijin - "people of Japanese origin" - to come to Japan as permanent workers.
Nikkeijin had Japanese blood and would speak Japanese, understand the culture and integrate more easily. For workers, meanwhile, low wages and exploitation remain a problem. At the factory where a Brazilian immigrant works, he misses out on bonuses and benefits paid to his Japanese workers and has only just received his first days of paid holiday. It seems Japan needs these workers but is not prepared to treat them well. Will this lead to resentment and eventual unrest? Read part three of the BBCs articles here.

Japan - Work or kids

In the second update of the BBCs items on Japan they explain why many young people in Japan are choosing not to have children at all or have one only. In Japan, people mentioned three problems when thinking about having children - money worries, the problems of working and having a family, and a lack of support for mothers. women are getting married later, because they want to start their careers. A Student says"It’s hard to raise children in the cities. We lived in the countryside and my mother worked, but my grandmother was nearby. The government should help to develop a sense of community in the cities." Read the rest here.

Panic fear as Japan to issue alerts before quakes hit

JAPAN, which is prone to earthquakes, is to issue pre-emptive warnings of approaching big tremors, to reduce casualties and damage - although some fear the new system will lead to panic. It could also prompt trains, lifts and factories to stop operating, limiting damage in Japan, where 20 per cent of the world's big quakes are recorded and where Tokyo is said to be long overdue for a major tremor. The Tokyo city government has said an earthquake in the capital of a similar magnitude to Kobe could kill more than 7,000 people and injure close to 160,000. What do you think – a good idea or not?

Elderly people in Japan - problem or advantage?

Land of the rising geriatrics
In any other country, 100th birthdays are a cause for celebration. Not so in Japan, where extraordinary life expectancy is creating a timebomb for the nation's health and social security systems. Jeremy Laurance reports from Tokyo on a looming population crisis
The tropical Okinawan islands in Japan's extreme south-west are home to more than twice the national average of centenarians. Their traditional diet is deemed even healthier than that of mainland Japan, with more edible seaweeds, higher protein content and more local produce rich in antioxidants, as well as a more relaxed lifestyle. Read the rest of the article here.

Japanese Puffer fish

Watch the video on this and then see if you would rather have a fish supper!

Japan - an ageing population

Good information on the issues Japan has to face with such a high percentage of its population being elderly. This is similar to Britain and most of Europe. Will you ever be allowed to retire? Perhaps you will just have to work 'til you "drop". However not everyone will be fit and well enough in their 70's or 80's to do this. Would you like to be rescued by an 80 year old firefighter or served your lunch by a 90 year old?
Watch the video below.

Old age Japan

Japanese bullet train

The first Japanese bullet train for use on a UK mainline has arrived in Britain, bringing with it promises of shorter journey times.
The 140mph (225km/h) six-car Hitachi Class 395 train was delivered on board a ferry to Southampton.

The Southeastern train company plans to run 29 of the trains from 2009 on the final section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link from Kent to central London.

They will also transport spectators to and from the 2012 London Olympics site.

The service, to be known as the Olympic Javelin, will ferry passengers from St Pancras station in London to the main site in Stratford, east London, in just seven minutes.

Another three of the trains, which are manufactured in Kasaso, Japan, will be delivered during the coming months.

Look at the video below for good pics

Bullet trains in the UK

Japan work song

I've seen the video on work songs for a demolition company. What do you think sbout us making our own songs?