Tokyo
Just got back from a week in Tokyo. By coincidence, earlier this month The Economist had a survey of Japan, once again reiterating the economic and demographic problems the country faces: an aging population, a workforce that started declining already in 1996, a national debt approaching 200% of GDP…all pointing to stagnation and decline.
Yet when walking around Tokyo it is difficult to reconcile this gloomy view with what one sees: an incredibly vibrant city, with clean, efficient public transport and an infrastructure and level of safety which put most other cities to shame. Yes, there are signs of a society with many old people: the airport has loupes on the table where arriving passengers fill out their customs declarations, the public toilets (which by the way are clean, plentiful and free) have facilities for people with limited mobility to a much higher degree than elsewhere, the lights at pedestrian crossings stay green long enough to allow even slow walkers to get across, etc. But at the same time Tokyo is full of young people and has a vibrant nightlife.
I am still digesting my impressions.
Nathan's Musings 
The thing is, the young adults from all over Japan move to Tokyo. Partly for enjoyment, but largely for work. Also in Japan transfers to Tokyo are common and taken for granted. Faring is dying out. Most farmers I see are well beyond “retirement age”.
I live in a small village. The cow farmer opposite me is in his 70s. My neighbours are in their 60s and 80s. My daughter’s elementary school class has 5 children in it. The whole school has only 28 pupils. I think there are almost as many staff there as children!
Not only are the future pensions in trouble, a few years ago the government “lost” the pension records of millions of contributors. It’s a worry alright.
Hi Nathan, it has been a long while…
Probably Tokyo is an island in the country, I guess if moving out to Hokkaido outside Sapporo, or, being less radical, other big cities like Nagaoka, Kyoto, Kobe or Osaka will resist the comparation in fair terms.
Just wondering.