I don’t think its a uniquely Japanese problem. Here in the UK we have a similar problem: improved healthcare leading to an increased ageing population but not enough young people paying taxes to support them through state initiatives. We have low unemployment but actually too many job vacancies going unfulfilled.

The answer to both countries problems is to open the borders. We never had these issues in the EU when an open corridor to France meant it was easy for seasonal migrant workers to pop in when needed for example hospitality and farming workers over the summer/harvest periods.

Unfortunately both our countries are currently allergic the work migrant. Japan has a more cultural opposition and I suppose due to historic isolation and independence policies.

In the UK we have a government that has spent 40 years gaslighting the country into thinking we don’t need them. Britain has forever been a melting pot of cultures going as far back as Roman and Viking occupations. When you conquer half the known world you can expect the centre of that empire to be made up of the very peoples you have tried to assimilate. Rome and Istanbul were no different. Its incredible how people quickly forget things.

I should point out I not pro-imperialism.