Japan's aging society: It's effects on the information technology

• Main Authors: Bautista, Christopher Reeve, Go, Samuel Francis
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Population aging > Japan; Working class > Effect of technological innovations on > Japan; Older people—Employment > Effect of technological innovations on > Japan; Gerontology; Japanese Studies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4987
• Institution: De La Salle University

Japan as an economic power is suffering from aging population. The worst possible scenario most countries would never want to be in. The research shows the relation between aging of the population and the workforce, especially if they are part the economy. The first part showed in detail factors that contribute to the aging society. And in the case of the Japan, its not merely a simple declining in population due to decreased birthrates but a myriad of factors that include the society, culture and traditions. From the advent of abortion to a superstitious belief like the Hinoeuma to economic status to women and men roles. This kind of factors happens in Japan alone and no other country has been bounteous in redefining causes of aging population. The aging of the population is never considered a problem in most countries in Asia wherein the problem lies on the opposite side, over population. After two baby booms, Japan was confident that aging population is non-existent. Dating back in the Tokugawa Shogunate where abortion is even a suggestion. But as the new projections shows, this confidence ended up in a disaster that even Japan never saw it coming. Lots of articles have been written and will be written. Theories that show why Japan is now an aging population has been plentiful but a midst of this inevitable fact Japan has failed to addressed the problem properly. The very main reason why suggestion and recommendations are abundant in bookshelves. Indeed statistics shows that aging in the workforce have is becoming a burden to the economy, not to mention huge medical cost and the grueling pension system. The decline of childbirth means fewer workers and these few workers will work so hard just to supply the elderly with sufficient pensions, which at some point unfair. Fewer workers also meant fewer consumers both of these factors will result in an ever deteriorating economy. If the abundant savings of the baby boomers contributed helped Japan in promoting investments in the past, today is a different case. If there are less young workers, there will be less saving fewer saving will make corporations hold back investments. Every thing is a chain reaction which is brought by a single reason, the aging of the population. But will it be the same considering Japan is known to be a leader in Information Technology? Yes, negative effects of aging in the workforce, based on statistics, are true. But Information Technology revolution can lessen the problem or better yet change its negative course. However, older people, if taught properly can manipulate everything by a click of a button. This negates changes in strength, vision and hearing. Advancement in information technology created robots, which are now used to take care of the sick and bedridden elderly minus the ever increasing medical cost. Japan's solution to this problem by scholars and researchers is nonetheless copious which means even with the big problem at hand, Japan is still turning a deaf ear. The recommendations mentioned in this research are also the possible solutions the researchers find plausible. Harnessing the capabilities of older workers is a good suggestion. No one can do something that is brought by nature. By having they do simple tasks and by using the capabilities generated through experience.