Ageing Japan defies demographics

JUST returned from a brief trip to Sapporo.

Japan’s demographics defies destiny. A year ago, Japan was consigned to economic stagnation and then, contraction with its rapidly ageing population and continuing shrinking fertility rates. Their impact is evident everywhere you go. Don’t see too many kids around; many schools are empty (2,000 primary schools shut in 2016); old people are most visible.