Japan’s rapidly declining population is well-documented. There are a number of different people and groups in Japan have different opinions as to the reasons for it.

Some male conservative politicians have stated that Japanese women are not doing their duty to the country and need to have more children. Finance minister Taro Aso stated, “I think a bigger problem lies with those who decide not to give birth to children.” From Aso’s point of view, one theory is sufficient to explain Japan’s population issues. This comment ‘won’ the prize for most sexist remark in an online vote in Japan. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ202001120046.html.

There are, of course, a number of other theories to explain the situation and many of them are backed up with a considerable amount of research. There are theories related to Japanese women’s greater participation in the work force, the long hours required in the Japanese workplace, the lack of help Japanese men provide in the household, etc.

With this RLE and May 2020 TOK Prescribed Title #5, an essay could look at why some people or some types of people rely on one particular theory where others use multiple theories to explain Japan’s population problem.


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