Japan, A New Player In The Game - Again?

[guyser]

Apart from tech assistance to emerging or struggling countries, Japan finished way back in the pack, like 14th in measurable ratings.

Closed borders, minimal to non-existant immigration (when they do they like them to come and go) tells one a lot.

But hey, their borders their country.

[TimG]

Closed borders, minimal to non-existant immigration (when they do they like them to come and go) tells one a lot.

Denmark is just as restrictive yet it gets the "progressive seal of approval".

Also, immigration has not worked so well for Europe. What rational reason is there for Japan to make the same mistakes?

Edited July 3, 2014 by TimG

[guyser]

Denmark is just as restrictive yet it gets the "progressive seal of approval".

Thats because they contribute far more than Japan.

[monty16]

Shady has a point. Instead of ignoring him we should all try to help hm to understand that his point is a valid one but it just doesn't belong on this thread. By doing that, he could be encouraged to go away and start a new thread on gays in Iran, or gays in wherever he thinks the should/shouldn't/who knows yet, be.

[-TSS-]

Japan's population today is approximately 127m. It has been estimated that by the year 2050 it will have shrunk to 90-95m of whom 40% will be 65 years of age or older. It goes without saying that with such a population-structure any society is doomed to collapse.

What can Japan then do to avoid a demographic disaster? Certainly not open its doors to third world immigrants in hope that they would fill the gap left behind when the older people retire. Experience from Europe has showed that to be unworkable. Besides, unlike Western-Europe and North-America Japan is not at all an attractive destination for outsiders to move in. Its culture is way too different and introverted.

[TimG]

It goes without saying that with such a population-structure any society is doomed to collapse.

Actually, does not go without saying. It is plausible that the Japanese could figure out a way to make it work. In fact, humans are in big trouble if the population has to constantly increase. Obviously there are no guarantees but most Japanese would rather take the risk than turn to immigration.

Besides, unlike Western-Europe and North-America Japan is not at all an attractive destination for outsiders to move in. Its culture is way too different and introverted.

The biggest difference between NA and Europe is societies in Europe are not conditioned to see second generation immigrates as equal citizens. This is amplified in Japan. For this reason immigration does not work these countries even though it works ok in NA

[-1=e^ipi]

What can Japan then do to avoid a demographic disaster?

Robots.

[monty16]

TSS, what happens to Japan is going to have a lot to do with the countries it chooses to align itself with. If it aligns itself with the losers of the future then it's going to lose bigtime too.

The same goes for any other country and that includes Canada. That's why we need to be our own country and not align ourselves with the current big bully.

Instead, we can be good friends with all the world's super powers.

[Big Guy]

Over the last few years, Japan has been slowly moving from its imposed pacifist state towards becoming a military player.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/japan-enacts-laws-allowing-combat-missions-160329051312485.html

Japan has launched new security laws that allow its military to engage in conflicts abroad for reasons other than self-defence, a move critics see as a major deviation from the country's pacifist constitution.

The security legislation came against the backdrop of rising regional tensions over territory in the South China Sea, a massive area that includes archipelago where China has a growing military presence. How much longer until the military will show needs for a nuclear deterrent?

[TimG]

How much longer until the military will show needs for a nuclear deterrent?

Japan will remain nuke free as long as it feels it can count on US support. If it loses confidence in the US it will develop its own nukes.

[Wilber]

I wonder how much our views on defence would change if we had a neighbour like North Korea firing test missiles through our airspace and over our territory. Considering its neighbours, Japan needs a nuclear deterrent as much as any country out there. So far they have been content relying on the US to provide it, but things can change.

[Wilber]

TSS, what happens to Japan is going to have a lot to do with the countries it chooses to align itself with. If it aligns itself with the losers of the future then it's going to lose bigtime too.

The same goes for any other country and that includes Canada. That's why we need to be our own country and not align ourselves with the current big bully.

Instead, we can be good friends with all the world's super powers.

That's where you have it backwards. Small weak countries need alliances a lot more than big powerful ones.

[SpankyMcFarland]

If China fails to rein in North Korea, I would see Japan going nuclear and possibly South Korea too. They cannot tolerate increasingly brazen missile flights across their territory indefinitely. China is also becoming more assertive and at some point the US may no longer have the stomach for a confrontation far away. Under such circumstances, there's nothing like having your own deterrent ready to go.