According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Japanese population as of October last year was 122,031,000, down 750,000 from the previous year. The declining birthrate is said to be Japan’s biggest issue. However, there are advantages as well as disadvantages. I asked AI.

“Advantages and disadvantages of declining birthrate for Japan’s future”
AI view:
【merit】
Resolving Labor Shortages: Labor shortages may arise, increasing labor demand and increasing wages to workers.

Dealing with an aging society: Social security systems such as pensions, medical care, and nursing care may face financial difficulties. However, a shrinking population could reduce the resources needed to solve these financial problems.

Promoting environmental protection: Declining population densities and reductions in urban overcrowding have the potential to help address environmental issues. A declining population may promote the conservation of the natural environment and the use of natural energy.

【Demerit】
Declining economic activity due to population decline: The working-age population may decline, leading to a drop in GDP. If the market shrinks, there is a possibility that corporate profits will decline and corporate activities will not be activated.

Rural depopulation: There is a possibility that depopulation will progress in local cities and rural areas. There is a possibility that local economies will stagnate and regional revitalization will be hindered.

Crisis of the social security system: As the population ages, the social security system, including pensions, medical care, and long-term care, may face financial difficulties. The social security system may collapse.

My view: AI’s view and my view are largely the same. AI’s view is textbook-like, with its advantages and disadvantages listed in a well-balanced manner. If I dare to point it out, the balance is too good, and I can’t see which one is greater, the merit or the demerit.
Moreover, it does not take into consideration the contradiction between merits and demerits, such as the fact that corporate activities will not be activated while the demand for labor increases, or that the financial resources of the social security system can be reduced, but that the social security system will collapse.
It is admirable that the current situation is recognized from multiple perspectives, but it is difficult to use it as a basis for judgment unless the value of each is weighted. In this way, it is not possible to make lively information or assertions that move people.
I believe that the declining birthrate has more advantages. First, there is a high possibility that the disadvantages enumerated by AI can be eliminated through the development of advanced technologies such as ICT and digital technology. If the market shrinks, it should be compensated for by increasing productivity and added value and increasing profit margins. Regions can be revitalized by recapturing them in a larger framework than they are now and reconstructing ecosystems using ICT and other means.
On the other hand, the merits cited by AI are, so to speak, like the blessings of nature, and cannot be controlled by technology. If so, the key to sustaining Japanese society is to accept the merits of the declining birthrate as gospel and minimize the demerits by making full use of advanced technology.
Of course, the declining birthrate must be stopped somewhere. The Japanese government is also promoting work-style reforms, measures to support childbirth and child-rearing, and the expansion of the acceptance of foreign workers as a countermeasure against the declining birthrate.
Personally, I think the most effective way to deal with the declining birthrate is to create an environment in which everyone can easily use cutting-edge technology, and rebuild the entire ecosystem of Japan.
If such a society is realized, people’s lives will become stable, and the birth rate will gradually rise. In short, making Japan a country where people can live with peace of mind for a long time is the greatest and strongest countermeasure against the declining birthrate. (Kei Kitajima)