少子化冲击日本经济社会

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights Japan's declining birth rate and aging population, with significant implications for the economy and labor market [1][2]. - In the first half of 2025, Japan's newborns are projected to be approximately 319,000, a year-on-year decrease of 3.3% [1]. - Japan's total population has been decreasing for 16 consecutive years, with a current population of about 120.65 million, down approximately 908,000 from the beginning of 2024, marking the largest decline since 1968 [1]. Group 2 - By 2040, Japan may face a labor shortage exceeding 11 million, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as transportation, construction, and healthcare [2]. - The aging population is becoming a burden on the working-age population, with over 36 million individuals aged 65 and above, leading to a projected ratio of 1.9 working-age individuals per elderly person by 2025 [2]. - Local governments are exploring various strategies to address the population crisis, with Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture successfully implementing childcare support policies that have led to population and tax revenue growth [2].