Age-based norms, population aging and inequality in Japan

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Other Title
  • 日本における高齢化と社会格差
  • ニホン ニ オケル コウレイカ ト シャカイ カクサ

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This paper analyzes challenges Japanese society faces due to population aging, especially the links between aging and rising inequality. Recently increased inequality between age cohorts can be explained by increased numbers in older cohorts. From this basic demographic fact, the paper traces how the effects of aging on inequality extend through household patterns, employment patterns, and regional differences. Analysis of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare surveys shows links between the increased ratio of older workers and increased inequality due to use of irregular labor. The job-offers-to-seekers ratio (kyuujinbairitsu) was found to be negatively correlated with older population ratio. This suggests that regions with older populations tend to have less employment opportunities for the young, forcing them to migrate. Census data confirm that population of metropolitan areas continues to grow, even though Japan's total population has been declining since 2005. But even metropolitan areas with their below-average birth rates will experience very rapid aging within next two decades. The paper concludes by considering how differences in old-age dependency ratios will affect tax rates, education, tax revenues, welfare, and regional development.

Journal

  • 年報人間科学

    年報人間科学 32 57-75, 2011-03-31

    Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

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