Title: Demographic transition in Japan and the social and economic development of Asia.

POPLINE Document Number: 076485

Author(s):

Abe S

Source citation:

In: Seventh Asian Parliamentarians' Meeting on Population and Development, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 25-26 February 1991, [compiled by] Asian Population and Development Association. [Tokyo, Japan], Asian Population and Development Association, 1991. :45-7.

Abstract:

In discussing the demographic transition in Japan and social and economic development in Asia, there is the suggestion that the stages in the Japanese transition may be useful is assessing other nations' progress. Japanese demographic transition occurred during rapid social and economic development. The birth and death rates for 1930 in Japan (32.4/1000 population) are comparable to the current birth rates in India (31.9) and the Philippines (35.9). The infant mortality rates in 1930 Japan (14.1/1000) are almost equal to levels in Bhutan (127) and Cambodia (129). Among the 39 Asian nations, the Philippines and India are about midway in the transition. 60 years ago Japan was not even at the level of the Bhutan and Cambodia, which are at the lowest levels of transition, and was much poorer than Asian nations today. The decline in the birth rate was a result of voluntary, individual decisions of the population. The commitment to childbearing reflected the ability to afford to educate and fulfill the responsibilities to society. This was possible in a capitalist society which incorporated the agricultural village communal ideology: unlike Western capitalist models. Since 1961, a public pension system and universal medical coverage and farmland reform account for the social development. The forthcoming social problem is how to adjust to the below replacement level fertility. A total fertility rate of 2.1 is needed for replacement level and Japan's fertility is 1.57. The factors related to the low birth rate and later marriage are identified as the high cost of education and the rapidly rising cost of housing in urban areas. The views of marriage have changed. Women choose a career over marriage, or marry later. There is also a lack of facilities for child care for working women. A change in the social conditions, which is the objective of the author, may affect the birth rate. If Japan has been able to accomplish the demographic transition and economic growth in 60 years, then with international cooperative effort, other Asian countries can do the same.

Keywords:

Japan
Critique
Demographic Transition
International Cooperation
Educational Status
Birth Rate
Death Rate
Fertility Rate
Multiregional Analysis
Labor Force
Child Care
Marriage
Socioeconomic Factors
Women
Asia, Eastern
Asia
Developed Countries
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Status
Economic Factors
Fertility Measurements
Fertility
Mortality
Research Methodology
Human Resources
Child Rearing
Behavior
Nuptiality