Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the economic struggles faced by Japan's 60s generation, highlighting their transition from being the "lucky generation" to experiencing significant debt and unemployment crises during their middle age [4][5]. Debt Crisis of the 60s Generation - The 60s generation faced severe debt issues, with average household debt reaching nearly 20 million yen in 1994, the highest among all generations [6][8]. - Many in this generation bought homes at the peak of the real estate bubble in the 1980s, leading to substantial financial burdens as property values plummeted after the bubble burst [7][8]. - By 2005, the average home price had regressed to 1981 levels, leaving many households with negative equity [8]. Midlife Unemployment Crisis - Following the economic bubble's collapse, companies struggled with high labor costs, leading to a significant rise in layoffs and salary reductions starting in 1995 [11][12]. - From 1995 to 2005, disposable income for the 60s generation decreased by nearly 25%, with unemployment rates for middle-aged workers rising from 1.5% to 3% [12][13]. - The introduction of labor dispatch laws favored younger workers, making it difficult for older employees to find new jobs after layoffs [12][13]. Credit Loan Crisis - Many households resorted to high-interest credit loans to manage their debts, with the credit loan industry growing from 4.5 trillion yen in 1994 to over 10 trillion yen by 2000 [14][16]. - The average interest rates for these loans exceeded 30%, leading to a cycle of debt for many families [14][16]. - By 2005, approximately 4.5% of the population was trapped in credit loan crises, with a significant portion being families aged 35 and older [16]. Divorce Wave - The 60s generation also faced a significant increase in divorce rates, with over 2.77 million families registering for divorce from 1995 to 2005 [18][19]. - Economic instability and the inability of single-income households to sustain family expenses led to increased marital conflicts [19]. - Many housewives, lacking work experience, struggled to re-enter the job market, exacerbating family tensions [19]. Overall Impact and Reflection - The article reflects on the broader societal implications of these economic challenges, noting a cultural nostalgia for the prosperous Showa era and the psychological toll on the 60s generation [20][22]. - By 2022, the average debt for families in this generation remained around 6 million yen, indicating a long-lasting impact of the economic downturn [25].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that Japan's National Personnel Authority has proposed significant salary increases for civil servants over the next three years to attract and retain talent in the public sector, particularly among young professionals [2][7]. - The proposal includes a shift from seniority-based promotion systems to a merit-based system, allowing younger employees to advance more quickly if they meet the necessary qualifications [4][6]. - The salary adjustments will be benchmarked against larger private sector companies, with the reference point for civil servant salaries raised from companies with over 500 employees to those with over 1,000 employees, resulting in an expected average salary increase of 3.6% [7]. Group 2 - The National Personnel Authority aims to create a work environment that encourages capable individuals to take on appropriate roles, including the possibility of "jumping levels" during promotions [2][4]. - The President of the National Personnel Authority, Yuko Kawamoto, emphasized that breaking away from seniority-based systems will provide greater operational freedom for administrative departments and enhance the effectiveness of personnel evaluation systems [6]. - The adjustments in salary standards are expected to improve the overall compensation for civil servants, making public sector jobs more competitive compared to private sector opportunities [7].

Group 1 - The core issue revolves around Japan's implementation of a "single tax" which is actually a fee deducted from all residents to fund the "Child and Childcare Support Fund" starting April 2026, affecting both citizens and foreigners [1][2] - The tax is structured based on income levels, with higher earners paying more, up to a maximum of 19,800 yen, leading to public perception of it as a "single tax" rather than a "fertility tax" [2][3] - Japan is facing a demographic crisis with a projected drop in newborns below 700,000 by 2024, 15 years earlier than previously expected, alongside a record high death toll of over 1.6 million [3][6] Group 2 - The United Nations predicts that if Japan's birth rate does not improve, the population could shrink to 75 million by 2100, exacerbated by an aging population where 29.3% are over 65 years old [6][8] - The combination of low birth rates and an aging population poses significant challenges to Japan's social security system, with various government initiatives failing to stimulate birth rates [8][9] - The reluctance of young people to marry and have children is attributed to economic pressures and a cultural shift towards individualism, with high rates of lifelong singlehood among both men (28%) and women (18%) [9][11] Group 3 - Despite Japan's extensive support for families, including a one-time childbirth allowance of 500,000 yen and various educational subsidies, young people still feel financially burdened by the costs of raising children [9][10] - The perception of children as a financial liability, coupled with stagnant wages and rising living costs, contributes to the declining birth rate [11][16] - The current labor market dynamics show a disparity in wages between formal and informal employment, with average monthly salaries for formal employees at 330,000 yen compared to 230,000 yen for informal workers, further complicating the financial landscape for young families [16][19]