Japan Going Quietly Into The Night

    A couple stories that caught my eye as they represent the dire straights into which Japan has fallen due to its declining population. 

    First, the Asahi Shimbun reports that the "Majority of Japanese support government-run dating apps," with women that have already "hit the wall" being most enthusiastic. From the article:

    According to an Asahi Shimbun survey, the majority of Japanese citizens wouldn't mind a state-backed service to help boost marriage and the declining birthrate.

    The nationwide survey, conducted over the phone on June 15 and 16, found that 54 percent of respondents supported such initiatives, while 36 percent voiced their opposition.

    The survey follows the Tokyo metropolitan government's recent announcement of its upcoming AI-powered matchmaking app.

    Tokyo officials are emphasizing the benefits of a government-backed app, highlighting its credibility and the sense of security it can provide to users.

    The survey results indicated no significant gender disparity in terms of support for government-run dating apps.

    However, younger generations were more enthusiastic about the idea, with 64 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds and 74 percent of those in their 30s indicating their approval.

    Notably, among women in their 30s, support for such services topped 80 percent.

 It won't change the decline--hypergamy is too strong of an instinct.

    Second, government and industry leaders have decided that if their population won't have children, they will simply replace the population: "Migrant labor law revised to allow longer, flexible stays." The article relates:

    Under the new system, workers can remain in Japan for three years. They can then apply for Type 1 specified skilled worker status, which extends their stay for a maximum of five additional years.

    To apply for Type 1 status, workers need to meet certain skill and Japanese language proficiency requirements.

    The new system grants workers eligibility for the same range of occupations as Type 1 status for the initial three years, streamlining the transition to the higher skilled worker category.

    However, the new system maintains the existing restrictions on bringing family members to Japan and does not permit family reunification for the first eight years of a worker's stay in the nation. 

Also:

    The new system will allow workers to change jobs within the same industry after one to two years of employment. This flexibility will empower them to leave low-paying positions with abusive employers.

    The bill also includes controversial provisions to revoke permanent residency status for those who refuse to pay taxes or social insurance premiums.

    This provision has sparked concerns about the potential impact on long-term foreign residents, including generations of ethnic Koreans and Chinese who hold permanent residency in Japan.

It may seem a trifling, especially compared to the mess that is immigration to the United States, but I suspect that it is just the beginning as the population crises in Japan deepens.