Between low fertility and increased life expectancy in Japan. On raising the profile of demographic policy during the Shinzō Abe governments 2012-2020

Abstract

Based on the demographic trends in Japan during the times of Shinzō Abe and after his departure from power in September 2020, it can be concluded that also during his long rule, neither a permanent break in the decline in the birth rate nor a halt to the shrinking of the country's population were successful. Despite this, it seems reasonable to present the current state of demographic changes in Japan in the light of Japanese sources and, on its basis, with reference to the instruments of social policy, to analyze what has been (not) done in the title regard. All because these consequences do not only affect the Land of the Rising Sun. Therefore, by serving as an example, they enable, on the one hand, a more accurate recognition of the causes of the processes in question, and on the other hand, they allow for the assessment of the effectiveness of the measures being implemented, which would also be applicable in other countries in the course of correcting their own demographic policy.