Japan is a country known for its innovative gadgets. But is it worth the price of a declining population?

Tokyo, Japan, known for its face paced lifestyle is the world leader in technology. This country has more Nobel Prize winners than any other country and leads the pack with thousands of researchers who dedicate their lives to coming up with the next big thing. Although Japan’s technological successes are impressive, its population is taking a toll with birthrates decreasing to “1.3 children per women” and it will keep declining in years to come.

Since 1975, Japan has seen a large decrease in the number of women having children. In a country where marriage isn’t about love but stability and comfort, less men and women are seeking out romantic relationships. In 50 years, Japan will lose 1/3 of its population as women pursue independent careers and fewer men. But there is also another reason for this changing lifestyle: technology.

Japan has every type of gadget imaginable. While technology allows people to work more efficiently, it also has its downs ide. Men no longer seek physical contact but virtual girlfriends. Nintendo Love Plus is a game many Japanese men participate in and allow them to create virtual girlfriends. They are able to control her every action and design her in any way they desire. Gamers also make up a large population who spend hundreds of dollars on video games and comic books. They seek attention and love in other ways, therefore lack the social skills to meet women. For these men, it is much more convenient to create a virtual girlfriend than to support an entire family.

Both sexes stay away from each other in social settings and have no idea how to interact with each other. Many are no longer settling down or seeking to create a family. The average Japanese woman has children at the age of 30 and hospitals are having less babies being born each year. Additionally, more adult diapers are being sold than baby diapers which is a great cause for concern. In a country that has the largest oldest population in the world, it poses many questions for the future. Who will be the next research or inventor in Japan? Is technology the sole cause for less marriages and birth?

While technology does play a large role in the declining population, it is not the only reason. Many young people seek independence and a successful career over a family. But could this technological epidemic spread to other countries as technology takes over our lives? So far Japan is the only country seeking these negative effects but only the future will tell if this country will be able to bounce back.

 

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http://theweek.com/article/index/254923/everything-you-need-to-know-about-japans-population-crisis