Japan crosses new aging milestone, with 20% now 70 or older
Abe signals shift in priorities to easing labor shortages
TOKYO — As new estimates put the number of people in Japan age 70 or older at more than a fifth of the population for the first time, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is signaling a renewed focus on contending with the economic impact of an aging labor force.
The 70-and-over segment of the population grew to an estimated 26.18 million, or 20.7%, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported Sunday. That marks an increase of 1 million from last year, driven by baby boomers born from 1947 to 1949.
The number of people age 65 and older climbed to 35.57 million, reaching a record 28.1% of the population. They also make up 12.4% of the workforce, the biggest share ever.
Japan’s demographic challenges pose an obstacle to the Abe government’s effort to reignite economic growth, while straining social security programs. The new report adds urgency to this problem.
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