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Talking Politics: Demographic Variables and Policy Measures in Japan

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The Silver Market Phenomenon

Abstract

The three core variables of demographic change: a population’s fertility behaviour, structures of migration and people’s life expectancy, translate into policy fields as family, replacement and old-age policies. The study at hand shows how Japan (one of the most rapidly ageing and shrinking nations) is addressing this demographic change through various policy measures. It will be argued that Japan is putting much effort into old-age policy, thereby addressing the present needs of a growing elderly population. Japan, however, only hesitantly takes upon issues of family and replacement policy. Historical and ideological taboos prove to be too persistent to allow for radical policy changes. These, however, are necessary in order to comprehensively deal with the future challenges of demographic change.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Institute for Japanese Studies, Tokyo, Japan

    G. Vogt (Deputy Director)

Authors
  1. G. Vogt
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. German Institute for Japanese Studies (DIJ), Jochi Kioizaka Bldg. 2F 7-1 Kioicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0094, Japan

    Florian Kohlbacher

  2. Institut für Technologie- und Innovationsmanagement, TU Hamburg-Harburg, Schwarzenbergstrasse 95, 21073, Hamburg, Germany

    Cornelius Herstatt

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Vogt, G. (2008). Talking Politics: Demographic Variables and Policy Measures in Japan. In: Kohlbacher, F., Herstatt, C. (eds) The Silver Market Phenomenon. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75331-5_2

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