Adopting family-friendly policies could help Japan tackle its enormous demographic challenge. But society also needs to overcome entrenched attitudes towards gender roles.

Sean Fleming 12 Feb 2019

Japan

What can the world learn from Japan?

Japan in 2019 feels relatively stable compared to other advanced economies - due largely to a period of political certainty and strong growth under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, writes Jim O...

Jim O'Neill · Project Syndicate 11 Feb 2019

Environment and Natural Resource Security

The inspiring thing that happened when a Japanese village went almost waste-free

This tiny town in Japan is punching above its weight on waste, while also bringing the community closer together over a mutual purpose

Alex Gray 21 Jan 2019

Values

Modern society has reached its limits. Society 5.0 will liberate us

The citizens of the 21st century will be expected to use digital tools and data to creatively solve society's problems.

Hiroaki Nakanishi 09 Jan 2019

Ageing

An ageing workforce isn't a burden. It's an opportunity

For the first time since 1948, retirement-age employees outnumber teenagers in the American workforce. It's time to embrace the five-generation workplace.

Jo Ann Jenkins 03 Jan 2019

Japan

In this Tokyo cafe, the waiters are robots operated remotely by people with disabilities

The trial involved 10 people with conditions ranging from paralysis to motor-neuron disease. They were all paid 1,000 yen per hour, just above the minimum wage in Japan.

Sean Fleming 17 Dec 2018

Future of Food

Climate change has created mutant Japanese pufferfish

Pufferfish, or Fugu, is a Japanese delicacy, costing up to $265 per kilogram. It's also incredibly toxic if prepared incorrectly.

Natasha Frost · Quartz 17 Dec 2018

Future of Economic Progress

There's a new plan to tackle Japan's overhousing problem - give them to single mums

Japan has more than nine million empty homes and a single mother population of 700,000, who often struggle to find accommodation. This new initiative can solve the two problems.

Rina Chandran · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 14 Dec 2018

Workforce and Employment

Why starting a new career in Japan may be easier than ever before

As it struggles with an ageing population and shrinking workforce, Japan is offering two new types of visa to attract more foreign talent.

Linda Sieg , Linda Sieg , Ami Miyazaki, and Ami Miyazaki · Reuters 11 Dec 2018

Workforce and Employment

Why starting a new career in Japan may be easier than ever before

As it struggles with an ageing population and shrinking workforce, Japan is offering two new types of visa to attract more foreign talent.

Linda Sieg , Linda Sieg , Ami Miyazaki, and Ami Miyazaki · Reuters 11 Dec 2018

Education, Gender and Work

Make way for a new superhero: the devoted Japanese father

In order to counter its falling birthrate, the Japanese government is aiming to redefine what it means to be a father.

Sean Fleming 04 Dec 2018

Japan

Japan's economy in five charts

Japan's shrinking workforce and ageing population are posing significant risks that could undermine years of economic growth.

IMF Blog · International Monetary Fund 03 Dec 2018

Japan

Japan has so many empty homes it's giving them away

It’s the world’s third-largest economy. It also has the world’s most pronounced population decline. Now, Japan is giving away vacant homes to deal with an excess of housing stock.

Sean Fleming 30 Nov 2018

Workforce and Employment

To combat Japan’s sleep debt, some firms allow tired workers to nap on the job

Chronic exhaustion is the cause of a raft of problems from poor health to lost productivity. In Japan it’s even led to loss of life. Now one employer is fighting back.

Sean Fleming 28 Nov 2018

Gender Parity

What will it take for the world’s third-largest economy to empower women?

Japan recognizes not only the moral worth of gender parity, but also its economic benefits. But is the country ready to take the next steps?

Makiko Eda 21 Nov 2018

1/12