A report released by the Cabinet Office 8th June, estimates that 40.5% of Japan’s population by 2055 will be aged 65 or more.

This equates to 1.3 people of working age for every person over 65, compared to the current level of 3.3 working-age people.

The report indicates that many people over 65, the retirement age, are willing and able to work, and supporting them do so may help labor shortages.

Furthermore, the report projects average life spans to increase to 90.34 years for women and 83.67 years for men by 2055, and says the nation has to work to encourage the elderly to work and see them as a resource.

Despite a slight rise in the total fertility rate (TFR) to 1.32 over the last six months, as of April 1, children formed 13.6% of Japan's total population, the lowest proportion since 1950 when the government began keeping the statistic.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare attributed the rise to an increase in marriages brought about by an improved economy, but warned the long-term TFR trend remains downward.