JAPAN tells workers to go home & have babies

[atgxtg]

Cows fart methane that destroy the ozone layer. It all comes down to the cows. Kill them all.

 

(falls over laughing)

 

As for the shrinking population, the only way I know to judge the future, is by looking at the past (to quote Ben Franklin). And the past shows that when Europe's population was trimated* in the 1300s, the lack of labor supply forced the landed rich to give a huge >increase< in wages for the common man. It makes sense that the same would be true for Japan (or Europe).

 

 

 

* Latin for "every 3rd human killed"

 

 

It would make sense if Japan was a pre-industrial argarian based culture like Eurpoe was when the Black Death hit. But it it's not.

 

In Fuedual Europe , when the Black Death ravage Eurpoe's population it led to a shortage of serf to farm the land. This was in a era when over 90% of the population was required to farm the land, and technology such that famine struck about one in 3 years, anyway. Under those circumstances wiping out one third of the population mean wiping out nearly a third of the workforce needed for farming. It also occured in a highlt over popluated, socially stagnant culture, and over a very short period of time. Plus, everthing was produced by hand, so less people meant less production.

 

 

In Modern Japan, less than 5% of the population is involved in farming (probably much, much less than 5%), and with the aid of technology one person an do the work of many. Addtionally Japan imports food as well. Uner these circumstances, a gradual reduction of the poupulation over time, via reduced birth rate, would hardly have the same effect. Less people means fewer imports, but not necessarily less production.Industiralzation and automation have changed that.

 

 

It's a whole different ballgame.

 

 

P.S.} THe whole cow methane destroying the ozone layer thing is just a plot by the fish to strike at the cows in thier age old rivalry. The entire story , called the "Surf 'n Turf Wars" is rather long and bloody, and dates back to the dawn of history. Early versions have been discovered witten in sumerian and even on the walls of Egyptian Tombs. Today, bits of the tale can be found on the menus of many a resturant. ;)

[theaveng]

Well you're right Japan's not agrarian, however logic tells me that a reduction in available labor means a shortage for the factories/offices that serve the world, and therefore a natural increase in wages.

 

Lack of supply / Equal Need for workers = Increase in Wages.

 

 

 

 

[atgxtg]

Yes, but a decrease in population also means a decrease in consumers and therefore a drop in demand, leading to a drop in the need for workers leading to "downsizing".

 

Now if you can keep demand constant despite a drop in poulation then demand can go up.