Japan GDP contracted 7.1%

[IsaacNewton]

In older days Japan, there was a tradition of the elderly taking a long walk up the mountain once they think they've become too much of a burden to their children and grandchildren.

I actually think there is a real chance that the Japanese people will revert back to this tradition once the problem of its aging population becomes too big.

@Nihonjin1051 what do you think the chance of this tradition returning?

Never heard of that. Asian cultures generally revere the elderly for their contribution to society. It is a big Confucian value that is shared with Japan.

 

[Aepsilons]

Thats peanuts as its over a 5 year period.
Japan needs to be proactive if it plans on matching china/south korea.

For example the z5 earphones are made in japan,,,had they made them in india the cost would have been at least 100$ less fro 700$ due to huge wage difference.

Lol, we have over 1300 businesses in India. Don't be so surprised to know that many high tech parts are outsourced to Japanese manufacturing plants in India, as well as the some 4000 Japanese businesses that have offshore sites in ASEAN.

As for competition, definitely I agree with you. The marketing teams need to pick up the pace.

 

[Huaren]

Since the japanese government owes so much debt to their people next to none other nation on earth, raising tax might be good way to close the gap. It might even work since so many japanese fancy themselves being loyal (and obedient under their rulers), even if some politicians got voted out such policy are most likely going to stay in place, frankly there is not much choices left.

In similiar case there is good reason why only few people in developed europe going out to vote each time, people know that whoever they elect in the end only the lip services might be changing(a little).

 

[Aepsilons]

In older days Japan, there was a tradition of the elderly taking a long walk up the mountain once they think they've become too much of a burden to their children and grandchildren.

I actually think there is a real chance that the Japanese people will revert back to this tradition once the problem of its aging population becomes too big.

@Nihonjin1051 what do you think the chance of this tradition returning?

That was a practice observed by poor families during the feudal age. Of course we won't do that , to even mention us doing that to our senior citizens is very insulting .

 

[sahaliyan]

In older days Japan, there was a tradition of the elderly taking a long walk up the mountain once they think they've become too much of a burden to their children and grandchildren.

I actually think there is a real chance that the Japanese people will revert back to this tradition once the problem of its aging population becomes too big.

@Nihonjin1051 what do you think the chance of this tradition returning?

Not only Japanese,the Koreans,the Chinese and the Taiwanese also face aging problem,the birth rate is really low in those contries,also the birth rate of large cities is lower than small cities,the birth rate of small cities is lower than countryside,urbanization brought the aging problem

 

[he-man]

People focus on topic at hand and cut the crap please.

I need answers

 

[Aepsilons]

Not only Japanese,the Koreans,the Chinese and the Taiwanese also face aging problem,the birth rate is really low in those contries,also the birth rate of large cities is lower than small cities,the birth rate of small cities is lower than countryside,urbanization brought the aging problem

Yes, urbanization is key. Many young people are leaving the villages, towns in the rural countryside for the big cities. In the countryside it's typical to have families with 3 or more children, in the city, it's rare to have that many, maybe 1 to 2 children.

 

[William Hung]

That was a practice observed by poor families during the feudal age.

But what happens when Japan's aging problem becomes a much bigger issue, when it becomes clear to the senior citizens that they've become a great burden to the state budget and the younger population in general. Wouldnt they sacrifice themselves like these poor elderly in the the olden days?

BTW, I think it is a very noble tradition. I would probably do the same once I become old, my quality of life diminishes and I become a burden to others. I would not commit suicide but I'll just go up a mountain and meditate until I die.

 

[cirr]

People focus on topic at hand and cut the crap please.

I need answers

What answers?

The writing is already on the wall.

 

[William Hung]

People focus on topic at hand and cut the crap please.

I need answers

What crap? an aging population is a bigger issue than whether a Z3 is better than a galaxy note 4.

 

[he-man]

What crap? an aging population is a bigger issue than whether a Z3 is better than a galaxy note 4.

No man because an ageing population is a constant now.............japan cannot do shit about it,not in the short term anyways but z3 and z5 can be fixed in a month

What answers?

The writing is already on the wall.

Love the chinese over confidence but yeah japan is getting way behind

 

[Viet]

Not this year but probably next year。

Sales tax will be raised to 10% from the current 8%。

Japan's major problem is its increasingly large aging population。

Japanese life expectancy is among the highest in the world。But oldies don't consume or consume very little。

no worry, germany sales tax is 19%. there is still room for japan

 

[Aepsilons]

But what happens when Japan's aging problem becomes a much bigger issue, when it becomes clear to the senior citizens that they've become a great burden to the state budget and the younger population in general. Wouldnt they sacrifice themselves like these poor elderly in the the olden days?

BTW, I think it is a very noble tradition. I would probably do the same once I become old, my quality of life diminishes and I become a burden to others. I would not commit suicide but I'll just go up a mountain and meditate until I die.

Of course we will never allow such a thing to happen to our grandparents, great grandparents etc. They will be cared for by their family and if need be, home health care by traveling medical teams, or if necessary -- sent to nursing homes.

To even suggest sending off an elderly loved one to die in the wilderness is disgusting and cruel.

 

[cirr]

no worry, germany sales tax is 19%. there is still room for japan

Sales tax or VAT?

 

[Donatello]

Japan is to be blamed for its own stupidity.

They can open their markets for defence exports and nuclear exports to countries like india but again stupid foreign policy.
And they are gonna loose/continue to loose billions as a result.

Japanese consumer electronics have been taken over by south korea for past 5 years and its not coming back on top now

Nuclear exports to Indian are just a small fraction, they are not enough to get Japan out of recession. For a nation as advanced as Japan, you cannot rely on a single source of export to a single destination. You need multiple industries for constant support.

When there was recession in USA, they recovered quickly, because even though financial/housing industry took a big hit, they had multiple export oriented industries that kept the situation from getting worse. Industries like mining/oil and gas/High Technology/Aerospace etc.

Britain had to endure a long recession since they are heavily dependent on services sector, and as such any hit to that will impact the whole economy. Germany in comparison fared much betterr that despite taking on the burden of a depreciating Euro, they managed to do well, because Germany exports high value products, not just services.

A balanced economy is key to any developed economy.