Part 15. Looking into the Crystal Ball of Japan's Future

Looking into the Crystal Ball of Japan’s Future
We are living in a time of rapid change, and Japan’s culture and society are evolving at an alarming pace.
Values once held dear are weakening : Workers no longer hesitate to quit their job or change companies, while employers no longer offer the same job security as before.
Young people feel less of a duty to take care of their elderly parents than before.
The Japanese people’s craving for convenience and efficiency has caused convenience stores to replace mom-and-pop stores, and people to communicate by electronic means instead of face to face.
Many age-old traditions such as calligraphy or using the abacus are fading away as a result of computerization.
Skilled workers such as plasterers, tatami mat makers, and roof thatchers are becoming increasingly rare.
Japan, it seems, is slowly losing many of the distinctive features that make it Japan.
In addition to changes brought about by modernization, Japan’s low birth rate is causing a rapid aging of the society.
People of the older generation require ever-increasing care as they retire form an ever-shrinking workforce.
It ia said that in order to maintain its current standard of living Japan will sooner or later have to rely more heavily on foreign workers, include more women in the workforce, and allow the elderly to work longer years.
Japan also seems to be losing ground in areas of the commercial world where it once enjoyed kingpin status.
The country that invented the epoch-making WalkMan has been left in the dust with regard to advances in smartphones, electronic devices, and other digital technology.
Moreover, the younger generation of Japanese are said to excel more at doing things are fixed and decide-i.e.,following a manual-than at coming up with innovative new ideas.
Also worrying is Japan’s political relations with its immediate neighbors.
Its recent departure form a policy of relative withdrawal is a stance which may not always lead to peaceful or mutually beneficial outcomes.
Looking into the crystal ball of Japan’s future, it is hard to get a clear vision of where Japan is heading.
There are many more questions than answers.
How will Japan adjust to a large influx of foreign workers within its borders ?
What role will Japan play in the region both as an economic powerhouse and a political force ?
Will Japan confront problems that arise with its neighbors by withdrawing, behaving aggressively, or by making efforts to forge win-win situations ?
Will Japan be able to come out on top when it comes to innovation ?
Hopefully, Japan will be able to capitalize on its unique cultural heritage and set of values to make a valuable contribution on the world stage.
To do so it will need people not only with a global outlook but with a clear understanding of Japan’s strongest assets and how they can be utilized.
Moreover, it will need people with the communication skills to make a successful appeal of its culture to the world.
May you be one of those people !