丰田公司本土建厂意在逆转产业空洞化

Group 1: Core Insights - The impact of industrial hollowing and population decline on Japan's economy and society is significant and warrants attention [1][4] - Toyota's announcement to build a new factory in Aichi Prefecture, with an annual production capacity of 3 million vehicles by 2030, is seen as a potential catalyst to reverse industrial hollowing and rejuvenate the manufacturing sector [1][6] - The trend of Japanese companies increasing direct investment in the U.S. since 2018, particularly in response to U.S. tariffs, highlights a shift in investment strategies [3][8] Group 2: Industrial Hollowing - Industrial hollowing refers to the phenomenon where companies relocate domestic production activities overseas, leading to reduced domestic employment and economic growth [2] - Since the late 1980s, the appreciation of the yen has increased production costs in Japan, prompting many manufacturing firms to relocate abroad [2][3] - Japan's manufacturing sector has significantly shrunk, with the shipbuilding industry's global market share projected to drop to 3% by 2024, and semiconductor market share declining from 50.3% in 1988 to less than 10% in 2019 [3] Group 3: Population Decline - Japan's population has been declining for 15 consecutive years, with a record drop of 860,000 people in 2023, leading to labor shortages and reduced consumer spending [4][5] - As of January 2024, Japan's total population is approximately 121.56 million, with projections indicating a decrease in the labor force from 76 million in 2015 to 45 million by 2060 [4][5] - The labor shortage has resulted in increased wage pressures, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, which struggle to absorb rising labor costs [5][6] Group 4: Economic Implications - The combination of industrial hollowing and population decline has led to a fragile economic structure characterized by rising costs, shrinking markets, and declining competitiveness [6][7] - Japan's current account surplus reached a record 29.3 trillion yen in 2024, primarily driven by initial income surplus from overseas investments, while trade and service balances showed deficits [6][7] - The depreciation of the yen, while beneficial for exports, has increased import costs, further straining domestic businesses and consumer purchasing power [7] Group 5: Future Outlook - The challenges posed by industrial hollowing and population decline are not unique to Japan and may offer lessons for other countries facing similar issues [8] - Collaborative efforts among government, industry, and society are essential to address the structural economic challenges and revitalize the manufacturing sector [7][8]